Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-04
AGRECVEITUERAE1.
TO TIE EDITORS OF TIE ENQUIRER

$,
he communication from your correspondent, NJ. did
not come under observation until saw il repubIisbed
in the American Farmer of the 10th inst, nor do know
what time may have elapsed since the first publication i'm
the Enquirer. hen thus called on, it is my duty land
one that Is willingly PerormeD TO furnish any necessary
on the subjects that have been recently treated in nv
Essay Calcarecus Manures.
My answer to the earlier enquiries of "Henrco" to
which NJ audes referred TO Il former publication for de-
tails respecting the appearance and value of Gypeous
EARTH but in neither piece did leave any grounds for
the Inference (Which NJ correctly opposes1 that the
existence of the impressions of shells i'm any earth
proved it TO have value On the contrary il
was expressly stated in my answer to "Henco' that,
81" the earth in question contains enough gypsum 10 be
valuable manure, its presence may be detected either
jn small transparent crystals in POWDER &C. Ii was
also stated that this earth contained no carbonate of line
and OF course it can have value cdIcGreous ma.
In the whole distance that the bed of gvpseous
earth is exposed TO the eye along the river bank in Prince
George, (abou mcs there only three four spots
where rich enough in gypsum 10 he useful manure
ash more fully stated at page 1879 of the Essay When
enough OF the gypsum remains, Gas in the bank Ever
green) TINS earth VIII prove most valuable manure nf-
Ter mari but in most the gypsum that may be sup
posed 10 have existed at former period is entirely
lost remains in such small proportions as not TO be worth
using The earth in this neighborhood which retains the
impressions Of shells without containing any carbonate of
me certainly was formerly, what Improperly called
nldTf-and the shells certainly were changed to sui
Phate OF Ime before their substance was principally or
totally removed An examination of the bed will best es-
tabh the correctness of these opinions. 1t is only to
earth of this kind that have applied the general name of
gypseou earth From the description civ en- by encoo
supposed the bed he spoke Of TO he similar Formations:
but in that opinion may have been mistaken The total
disappearance OF shells that existed in the other To-
caies mentioned by NJ is unaccountable than
in our gypseous earth Many of the loose stones in the
bed OF the stream nearest the White Sulphur Spring
when broken, present nnumerable impressions of various
shells, without particle of either the carbonate or sui
plate oil hme being present-and such impressions may
also be found on the scOus rocks that lie the spring
regret that the obscurty of my language or some
other reason, has caused your correspondent TO mistake
my meaning another point, which he has more par
he Rrif
sh agrcuursts presented in my Appendix p POI In 2I9)
were brought as proofs OF the charge previously made d.
100 OF the loose Inaccurate and contradictory manner i'm
which the terms mart and mdriing had been generally
usedand the erroneous impressions that cursorv and even
extensive readers would thence receive. So far was
from concidng with the opinions conveyed by most of the
quoatonsor from recommending the clan i'm mari as an
important part OF the manure that endaavored as much
possible TO guard the reader against retaining any such
impressions and applying them 10 the practice recon-
mended under q same and the latter was defined
as being "sfDpy The application Of caIcareots earth in
any JoTm rbGtorcT TO soils tCdnting that ingredient'
1909 Bni While proving tie remarkable aud general
want Of precision IN written authorities 10 the nature of
the mails they speak Of and Of the soils TO which they
were applied IL was lar from my intention 10 deny that
correct opinions were entertained land sometimes express
ed by scientific agHcultursts these SUBJECTS Indeed
the admission j. expressly made, D. 100 and pa But
still there only exceptions the general rule which is
furnished not only by the whole mass Of writings but by
the greater part of those Of each individual author The
quotation from Bundey o. 2l2) is most striking proof of
he erroneous opinion That an extensive reader OF agricu
tura works, among which Youngs and Andereons stood
prominent coud not avoid orning 10 the nature Of mari
We ~ this country have increased the previously exist
ing confusion by applying the mail 10 substance
which no European author meant 10 include under that
name Oor tbe she'll mari Of which Scottish writer's speak
sa peculiar formation IN fresh water akes)-and there
seems bot little hope Of The essential quality and OPERA
ton o' mari being clearly expressed and understood until
We mint s application, as 10 should be- 90 tie cafcare0us
cay whch ineFaloe'ss coll mari, and adopt new
term for our beds OF FOSSIL shells with This view ven.
tured 70 propose the substitution Of the term cglr TO de-
sRnltc cacareous earth in that and every other FORM and
cGiriHe, for The application Of manurcs Of this nature
In answer to another general enquiry made by NJ I
have 70 state, that have applied clay "a kind Of lcrs
earh) containing calcareOus earth, TO sandy oam n,
the rae Of 600 bushels TO the acreand that so little eE
feet was Produced that there inducement whate.
yer repeat hc experiment Indeed, the outlines Of the
space SO nauurcd could where be traced by spe-
riorty in the growth has the soil been enough sUn
cncd BY thc clay, or ihe change TO be pcrccpdble
Respectfully, EDMUND RUFFIN