Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-02-14

greater part the fixed principles Of vegeta-
bles, which are not met with, ready formed,
in the soil or atmosphere. Hence the ne
cessity of using lime, where it is not found
in sufficient quantity in the soil. /
The necessity Of lime will be seen if we
consider the varieties of substances, and of
combinations which compose the upper
layers of the globe. The earthly substanc-
es, silex, alamine, and lime, form almost
exclusively the surface soil. OF these sub
stances, slick, and alumine, form three
fourths, and the carbonate of lime exists in
a greater orless extent with the other fourth.
Some soils contain but very little or none
at all of the carbonate of lime; others are
rendered deficient by long tillage, not be-
ing supplied by alimentary manures; while
others contain too much Of the calearious
principle. Where slick and alumine alone
form the earthly substances, it is necessary
| to use lime in order that the other properties
of the soil may exert their full powers on
vegetation.
Mr.. Puvis, French writer on the use of
lime, in one part of his work has the fol-
lowing, which is as applicable to US as to
the French. "The question Of improving
i manures is of great interest to agriculture.
This means Of meliorating the sod is too
little known, and above all, too little prac-
ticed in great part of France-and yet it
is condition, absolutely necessary, to the
agricultural prosperity of country"
| Were our farmers TO use lime, on land
intended for wheat, there is scarcely doubt,
but that as good wheat would be raised in
the west part of Vermont, as has been for,
merly. Where the calcarious principle does
not exist, in the soil, naturally, or is no
arti6cially supplied, it is useless to expec
; much Of crop Of wheat, and believe ou
wheat crop, for the last ten years, has suf
, fered more for the want of this, than from
I every other cause put together. Let ou
. farmers use it as much as they do in Europe
and we shall not be dependent on them 70
D our wheat.
D My object when commenced (whic
you have undoubtedly discovered by thi
. time) was, not TO write treatise on lining
!, : but merely to speak Of the benefits of it
use in agriculture. But it is of little use t
know that lime is beneficial, unless W
9 know how to use it. This the farmers {
e Vermont, as body, fear, do not know
g They are not sufficiently acquainted wit
:. the nature of lime, which is all importah
> that proper use may be made Of it. F.
y the want of proper knowledge Of the who
, subject Of lining, it has fallen into disu.
8 in some instances, where it has been use
: 1t would be nearly as improper for the phi
stefan to use mercury in all diseases, as
:, the farmer to use lime on all, lands and
q lequal quantities. In the first place we wa
J. to know the nature of our soil, in order
d, know what it wants 10 render it healthf
id and to make it more productive. We wa
lie to know whether the sulphate Of lime, (pla
IN ter paris,) or the carbonate of lime, "a
T. Stacked, will be the best adapted to o
III soils-or shall il be used in its caust
:, state2 Some soils, naturally possess t
= much of the calcarious principle, which
!. the poorest land there is. Now to use lin
n on this would only be mourning an expen:
IN and injuring the land. Here let me s.
h that with the experiment, Tin the use
rs lime we want to know what kind of 81
y. it was made on. This Mr.. Ide did not t.
ne US. This is all-important, and | hope
ne may yet have it,,
q The manner oil applying lime is anoth
IT, important part of the business. The qua
so tity most proper or profitable, to use-t
IL mode of treating lined land-how often
He it necessary to apply coat to keep
'th land good2 Are animal manures necessa
IN. on lined land2 Is lime beneficial VIII
reg land has become rich by the use of amin
Wy manures? These, and many more Il
-. might be named, are important inquiries
b.. But some are ready to say, why all tn
,ed WHY not tell US how TO use 1.-THE state
which it should be used2 &c. This l
nd not intend to do, bat merely TO throw
cir these few hints, and direct you to an al
he source Of information than my pen.
"a 81. OLD FARMER