Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-07-05
ANALYSIS.

To determine the value OF any soil, or TO
be able 10 correct any fault in the original
constitution, or any deficiency arising
from improper cultivation, it is necessary
that the nature and proportion oftbe substan-
ces composing itsbould be understood 10
agriculture this examination is termed an
nIysis and in the simplest, yet still effect
ual method may be practised by every far
mer. The implements required are pair
Of scales accurate TO the tenth part ola grain
crucible; some muriatic acid, and few
small vessels OF china or glass.
The earth 10 be tested by the farmer
should be taken from a few inches below
the surface, and be an average specimen of
the field or the soil TO be examined. The
quantity 10 be examined say 2 or 400 grains
is 10 be slightly pulverized or well mixed
together. Put ofthis 200 grains in a cruel
BILE, and heat it TO 300 degrees OF Farenheit,
or bake il in an oven heated for bread for
Is minutes cool and weigh. This will
show the absorbent power OF the soil, and
as this is depending mainly on the animal
and vegetable matter, if the loss is consider
able it is a decisive proof in this respect Of
fertility. The absorbent power varies from
| to IL per cent
crucibe TO red heat and until the mass
shows no bright or sparkling particles. stir.
ing it with glass or iron rod; cool and
weigh. and the loss will be the animal and
vegetable matter in the soil.
Take 200 grains of dried earth, mix it
thoroughly with a gill of water by string
for several minutes Let it stand for three
minutes, and turn off the muddy water into
another glass. Dry the sediment in the
first glass at high heat, weigh and it gives
the SILICA contained in the soil Let the
water turned off settle clear, turn it off, dry
at high heat and weigh this gives theal-
umine or clay.
Put into suitable glass or flask, Ia Of
n gill of muriatic acid g. water in equally
proportions and balance the scales carefully
Put into this mixture, 100 grains of the
earth let it stand till all the effervescence has
ceased, which will sometimes be an hour or
more; carefully note the weight required 10
again balance the scales, & that may be set
down as the weight of carbonic gas expel-
led, say grains. Then as As is to IS SO is
the weight TO that of the base or the lime
In this case the lime would be l-3 per
cent.
To ascertain ifthe earth contains iron, stir
the muriatic acid and water with strip of
oak bark, and il iron is present in the liquid
the bark will turn dark. To ascertain the
quantity, put in prussate OF potash ill il no
longer forms blue precipate, let it settle,
heat the deposite TO redness carefully weigh
the remainder, which is oxide of iron.
To determine the presence of gypsum
take 100 grains of earth. mix one third the
quantity OF powdered charcoal, keep it in at
read heat in a crucible for half an hour
Then boil the earth in pint Of water for 80
minutes hitter the liquor and expose it for
some days i'll an open vessel. A white de-
posite will be sulphate of lime, and the
weight will determine the proportion.
These processes are all simple, and can
be performed by any one. BY them we OBJ
tain--lst, the absorbent power; I'd, the
mount of animal and vegetable matter Sd,
the SILICA or sand; 4th the alumine or clay
9th, the carbonate of lime; 9th, the oxides
ofiron and 9TH, the gypsum or plaster of
Paris. The salts exercise great influence
on vegetation; but as they principally de-
pend on the animal and vegetable matter in
the soil, and as the determining their quail
ties and kinds are too difficult for the ana
lysis OF the farmer, the processes are omit
ted The above ingredients are ali that ex.
ert marked influence on the fertility ofsoils,
and on their proper proportion its goodness
depends. Ii soils contain too much SILICA
or gravel, they are porous: and if too much
clay, renientive. The last is usually the
worst fault, and may be known by water
standing upon il after rains, remaining un-
settled for long time, owing to the clay held
in solution. Wheat, winter kills on such
soils; on calcareous. on gravelIy ones rare
ly. Good soils usually contain IS to rs of
SILICA: from 10 to l6 Of alumine from A
10 10 Of lime, and varying proportions Of
vegetable matters, animal and mineral salts,
&C. The analysis ofsoils forms one of the
most decided steps in the improvement Of ag-
riculture, as it clearly points out what is
wanting to remedy any defect, and gives ease
OF working, and abundance in product
Every farmer should understand the nature
and composition Of his soils, and may do
SO, with little time, and at mere triae of
expense.-Gea. Farmer
An affecting incident occurred at Lynn,
on Saturday. A little girl about two years
of age, child of Mr. Ingalls, wandered
away from its parents in the afternoon, and
on the most dilligent search could not be
found during the evening. OnSunday NOR
ming the search was renewed by many peo-
pie in vain An intelligent dog belonging to
the family, understanding that something
was wanting set off in pursuit. In a short
h. ..oI 4 A 4 4 r