Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-11-21


acid gas with which it was combined.
In this mild state lime, at all times
and on all lands, ought to be used, un-
less there be in the oilxsome noxious
principle, which quick lsshe might have
the effect of correcting; or unless the
soil abound with hard or inert vegetable
matters, which lime, when caustic, would
bring into state Of more rapid decom-
position and solution.
There is a species of limestone, which
contains large quantity of Magnesia.-
The lime of such stone has by some,
learned as well as unlearned, been Deem
ed poison to vegetables. This hypo-
thesis merits, on the present occasion, a
short explanation.
Magnesia, like lime, is, in its natural
state, combined with carbonic acid gas,
and is, in the same manner, deprived of
it by calcination. 1t also, like lime, re-
gains this principle by absorbing it from
the atmosphere and from vegetable and
animal matters. Magnesia, however,
has much weaker attraction for car
bonic acid gas than lime, insomuch, that
it cannot be combined with it, as long as
the lime, united with it, remains in a
caustic state. The lime, in such state,
attracts by its superior powers carbonic
acid gas, not only from all getable and
animal matters in the soil, but from the
Magnesia itself, and consequently the
Magnesia can absorb no portion what
ever Of this element until after the lime
be completely saturated. But Magne-
STA after it becomes combined with car
bonic acid gas, instead OF being poison,
is, like lime, by virtue ofthis Ingredient,
useful constituent of soils; and it is
only when deprived of it, that it is, as in
the case of lime injurious to vegetables
The essential difference, then, between
them is this, that Magnesia needs a
much longer time than lime in recover
ing this nutritive ingredient and, of
course, in becoming manure. 1t is
hence presumable, that the opinion of
the deleterious effects of the Magnetism
lime has proceeded from the very great
length of time, which the Magnesia re-
quires in regaining the carbonic acid gas,
and especially as, during that long period
of deprivation, it either occasions sterili-
ty or greatly Injuries the crops. The ex-
tent and duration OF such injurious ef-
fects must necessarily be in proportion
to the barrenness of the soil to which
the Magnetism lime may be applied and
to the quantity that may be used.
Land apparently very good, as to its
texture, and as to its component parts,
may, nevertheless, be extremely sterile.
The cause of this sterility is, sometimes,
not aithin the reach of common observa-
ton. There may be in the soil prin-
ciple noxious to plants, which cannot be
discovered but by the application OF
some chemical tests. For example,
there may be the sails of iron, which are
prejudicial TO vegetation. These salts
can be discovered by means ofre-agents
employed on such occasions by che
mists, and, when discovered, they can be
decomposed and neutralized by the APP
plication Of quicklime. A few years
since, case, worthy of notice, occurred
in England. Sir Joseph Banks had a
field remarkable for its sterility, although
it was apparently ola very good quality.
He put some of the soil into the hands
of an eminent chemist TO be analyzed.-
1t was found to contain the sulphate Of
iron. The obvious remedy recommend
cd was lime, which converted the sui
plate into manure. And from that time
the field has proved to be productive
and valuable.
These few observations, imperfect as
they are have been submitted to your
consideration under faint expectation,
that, in some small degree, they may
have tendency to induce an opinion
that the practical cultivator and the in
quisitive Psychologist ought to so hand
in hand with view to the advancement
of the great interests of agriculture. To
have given to these observations the ex-
tent required by a full examination oil the
subject, would have been an unreasona-
BILE trespass upon the time and probably
upon the patience of the Society. 1t has
not been my intention, on this occasion,
to range in SO vast field, as to
discuss the multitude of direct and col
lateral matters, which, in such an exa-
mination, would necessarily have occur
red. My humble purpose has been
merely to sow upon our land single
handful of the grain of science in the
fond hope, that, from the cultivation
thereof or from the selection Of better
seed, we may, hereafter, one and all,
reap an abundant harvest.
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