The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-06-15
EssAY-NO. s..

Among the numerous vegetable mineral and
other substances which have been used for ma
nures, the following are the most important, viz.
chalk, lime, gravel, clay. sand, mari, plaster OF
Paris, ashes, muck, pounded bones, sea-weeds
sweeping OF old bitches. Ofthese, lime, plaistet
OF Paris, marie, and ashes, which are made much
account OF IN England, will be further noticed.
Lime Is substance whose external appearan-
css and mode of production are we'll known.
various, and contradictory acc Iunts are given Of
the effects ofline similar and on different soils
II i recommended to be applied 1, old field. and
gardens, which by repeated manurings have ac-
cnmuiaied too large proportion Of vegetable
matter, whereby the soil i at length converted
mt an inert vegetable compound ofthe nature
q peat. The practice Of mixing hot unslaca ed
lime with dung in any state i found to be lniu-
rious, but lime, deprived of its caustcity by wa
ter, may be very properly added to dung, when
quite putrd and rotten, in conjunction with good
soii, peat, earth, &c. Lime may be spread on
grass land and pastures with good effect.
Gypsum or plaster ofParis was first discovered
IN Germany about hall century ago. 1t has
sinre been applied with signal success in differ,
ent countries. The time for applying this ma
nure, the soil most favourable TO ii. and the
plants ami vegetables which are most improved
by It arc too well known to need repetition.
X Mari, consists Of three kinds ca icarious ar
gillaceous and sicitious or sandy. Calcarious
mari y commonly Of a ysllowish white or vel
lowish grey color; rarely brown or bad coloured.
IL l. seldom found on the surface or ground but
commonly few feet under it, and On the sides
OF hills, or rivers that TOW through calcareous
countries, or under turf in bogs
ATsellacious Mari, ID of grey or brown. OF
reddish brown, or yellowish, or blush grey. II
feels more junction than the former, and adheres
to the tongue its hardness il generally much
greater In water It falls T. pieces mo slowly.
and often into square pieces: it also more slowly
molders by exposure TO the air and moisture. II
OF loose Conscience. II hardens when heated
and forms an imperfect brick.
Siilcloas or sandy MaTs, are those whose claw
ey parts contains and excess Of sand. Chalk
and sand are the predominant ingredients. The
color q this mari j. brownish grey, lead colored
generally frable and hakey. but sometimes
forms very haro Jumps. liz does not readiIy
fall to pieces 10 water. Il chips ana mculders
by exposure To the air and moisture, but very
slowly. All marles are mixture of mild calx.
a. e. chalk with clay In such a manner - 10
fall 70 pieces by exposure to the atmosphere.
more o. less readily. Such il the descriptions Of
marles IN G. Britain. Ii i said to abound plen-
tifuliy in this country. but We do not know
whether our far<ers have ever dog II and used
4 a. mannres, nor whether This might be prohta-
bly, done. @
Ashes-sifted coal ashes, those Of peat and
white turf ashes have been found useful red
turf ashes useless, and generally hartful. Wood
ashes have also been employed advantageouslv
in many cases.--In our pext number, we shall
give some psrticuisrs al Peat and the manner u
buFning,