Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-11

to my friends, I lave preserved no memo.
randa ofweights or quantity. am salts
ned the weight was greater, in proportion
TO the number of plants, In the kelp land
than that of the other manfred land.
These experiments Of kelp as manure
for corn, oats aud tobacco, leave with me
no doubt that II will also be found bene-
ficial to wheat, OH fallow. shall pro-
coed to this experiment IN The course of
the ensuing summer. You will perceive.
sir, that the experiments detailed above
were all made with the green and wet We
getable, yet fresh from the bed of the river.
have never used it, in a compost, nor in
decomposed state but doubt not, its
efficacy would be enhanced il decompos-
ed before II is used as manure. The inn
mediate operation ofthe kelp, inits green
and undecayed state, have attributed TO
the mnriaie of soda ii contains, and TO the
animal substances found intermixed with
II; which are chiefly ci that class usually
denomlnated neitles," which being ge-
latlnous, are speedily decomposed after
ILLUMINATION. In all the experiments have
made with kelp, have observed that the
spot where the wet load was deposited AL
ways produced a more luxuriapt veuefa.
tiOn W 'hS DOT
ton OF land which was covered after the
keip had remained some DAYS exposed 10
The rays OF The sun, aud consequent eva.
pOratlOn.
In some miner experiments With dry
sea weed, Save found il not so imEedi-
aiely active dis the green, and wet with
our salt river walter which has induced
me TO suspect that our river water NAV be
made a source ofimprovemeni 10 our nus
bandry, ii used as a menstruum i'm com
posts. The kolpl have found to be longer
IN the proceSsOf decomposiiiOnt than any
other vegetable have used. In tue fields
where use,i kelp in 1911, 1912, | found
many detached parcels OF il vel unrotted
The last year, (lSl7) when following for
corn, Hence it would appear durable
manure, gradually yielding It's fer,iizing
properties nor did perceive the crop
on the land when last TILED, to be inferior
10 that which grew the year the " weed"
was n st applied. have no doubt but that
a Compost of kelp and mari, or any caica-
rlous substance, laid i'm alternate strata
OF each, 81 the salt river water occasional
" applied as d dissolvent, would produce
manure, equal If not superior i'm value.
to any now in use. To the husbandmen
of this section of the state, kelp is an ca
silly attained. and, in my opinion, estima-
BILE manure. In the Southern banks of
this river, and III the banks of the creeks
which discharge their waters into il, vast
bodies, | may almost say inexhaustible
supplies of mari are TO be found, which.
when the Industry of our agriculiuralists
shall bring into use in the compost above
suggested, will, am certain, so lar in-
crease the fertility of the soil, as TO cheek
The tide of emigration, and dissipate the
Alabama mania which now RACES among
our citizens. shall proceed 10 other ex
periments, and on different soil. with
the kelp; and hall occasionally continue
my communications, if the Society shall
deem them worthy of their attention.
Ihe agriculture of our country can only
be improved by the dissemination of cor
rect principles fthe science and practice
OF husbandry; the experiments Of skilful
farmers; and Improvement in implements
OF husbandry. These are, q presume.
some of the objects, which called YOUR
Society" into existence.
fear, sir, shall have trespassed upon
the time aud patience of the Society. If
SO, cry their mercy" Ifihey shall
ind any matter contained i'm the present
communication, l shall have attained the
object had IN view when commenced
IL, TO afford my mite 10 the stock of agri-
cultural information. ] have been thus
minute IN detailing the experiments, and
my observations growing out of them
that should any OF my counlrymen he
disposed 10 use lie kelp as manure, thew
may do so with the experience OF which /
am possessed and should by this com
munication induce single person TO an
effort TO improve his soil, shall be am
ply rewarded. | have thought, lever since
did think upon the subjecD with the ce-
LIBERATED Dean of St. Patricks, that he
who makes two blades of grass grow
where only one grew, is of more value 10
society than all the politicians and states
men of an aye. Holding this faith, | Ten
der TO the Agricultural Society of Viz
ginia" the homage of my high respect for
Their characters, and the noble cause i'm
winch they are engaged and to you, sir,
The assurance OF my esteem and friend
ship.
THOMAS GRIFFIN.
DR.. JOHN ADAMS, Secretary Of the3
Agricultural Society Of Virginia. (