The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-03-05


render it produciive-that clay and sand
alone will not allow any plant TO grow with.
Out vegetable or animal matter, but that a
hule vegetable or animal matter added 10
furnish food for the plant, ,carbonaceous
matierl will make a productive soll-Al.
though there be no vegetable matter IN prlm.
tive rocks, the Limestone supplies the place
( by yielding A per cent. of Carbonic Acid
which Is the source whence the plan, pro
cures Carbon. And here lei the planter
notice the beautiful provision OF nature which
| scientific knowledge has brought to ligbt.-
Let him reflect on the elements here brought
together IN the simplest form Of eomblna
ton, and he IS Obliged TO see some need OF
an acquaintance with Geology and Chem
isiry to help han to know the soil upon which
be daily tfeads, aud from which he derives
( bis support. The mechanic studies the
composition, aud texture of the materials
upon which he works-the professional man
studies the characters aud properties Of the
substances be applies TO relieve suffering
I hulnanlty-but the farmer leaves TO learned
men, the book kaoriedge of the structure
and composition of his materials upon which
! be acts, and contents himself with the
! know ledge that there IS something ia good
Iaud 10 bring crop, If he has good season
and that after has land is worked cut, he
can ret more somewhere else.
Should these things be Ought not a
planter TO consider the means oil improving
his estate and is not the suresl means 10 20
10 the first principles Of knowledge aud stu
dy the constitution OF his soil
Book knowledge IS Notwithstanding
men can anayse, aud practical men can ap
ply and give results 10 benefit the farmer,
IN many different ways. Let the call OF
the farmer be GIVE us knowledge, give
u. understanding, aud let the scientific man
publish his discoveries aud good Will arse
from 50 dong.
Among the rocks subor 1inate 10 the prI
mary, and not so extensively distributed as
those enumerated, are the serpentlne class
Magnetism. They are characterized
chemically BY containing NOgaeslc, which
.lves Them a soapy feeling.
Srptmias i beautiful rock, presenting
come shade OF green, mixed with "hlIe,
yellow, brown, or red, and derives It's name
RON T. lsnc,lul arrangement Of the colours,
Ieauog some resemblance 10 the skin Of a
-srpeut, Il ls glossy, though usually hay
10. dull unciuoUs aPpearance-lt takes ii
good polish, but does not retain II on eS
plsure. Ii is used as an ornamental build.
ing material in many countries; and when
.a,ermyed 3iih Limestone, forms the hand
-oGe Tad unique. The others Of the
Magnetism class are but little used, and con.
taulug Magnesia, are 70 be particularly Oh
served b. the farmer, as that ingredient IS
isan>itsred . -c4!aring soils barren.
/ The primary rocks constitute the highest
mountains, and generally are considered as
lnsayoufdb TO vegetation. Their extreGe
hardusss-decivlies, constant washing and
SLOW decomposition doom them TO form UD
CERTAIN soils. The MOSES and hchens grow
ing On their sides decay aud lltm the nu.
ttn,ve MATER needed III the soil water set
{ ,ling ~ 6~sJres aud freezing, breaks of
masses-the Influence Of arr, water, heat
and Ilgh. aSsis. 10 the process Of dIsnegra
{ loa and the wearing down Of these rocks
! gives the soil for vegetation. There beng
{ % vegetable and animal matter 10 these
+ cocks, ;ae soil is not lasting oue aud be
az composed Of materials through Which
water Pc coIales freely aud shich do not
ielaiu heat, iae sol Is not one to be valued
teycrpl whsfc means are employed 70 I'm
5IOye a. H. tie valleys alone, which re
ceivH the ashtH-s aud debris Of the surface
II tie bills ,he culture Is productive. Mos
u the barren regions Of the earth are prim
ave soils; Tie water IS pure and the coun
ny usually healthy.
Next 10 order 10 the arrangement Of the
cfus, Of tue gIobe a series Of strata are toU0c
AhJch are not crs Saline like the primitive
,hry arc fiagmeu,dlous aud earthly -con
iamng mud like deposits, wih cracks Of
assures filled SIlh cry s,ailIue anatter-some
iImes appearing TO be filed with products
. of Gre dykes and Volcano yeins) aud a
others "tta stalls from solution ~ water
I These rocks contain the first appearance 0
DldNtS GElu d8ltfii3e--JI SDtltE VI Tue SitDpltl
forms Of existence, and beng supposed e
have been deposited while the earth VAS be
coming habitable, are called JraasihOn.-
The COMPOSITION Of these rocks Is slmilai
70 that % toe primitive; and the d.hrtenct
! : scarcely ap2:ccls5le IN many situations
e2cep, from the occasional presence Of irag
meuis 10 The Primtgrc, they are cry stall
line continuously 10 the transition but oc
casianaiIy IN portions. The transition are
not 50 generally compact and hard, altao
many Of our most valuable building mate
rails are procured from this class they are
DOT 50 elevated, the primitive usually lofm
iug. high peaks, &c.
/ Among lhr most important Of this elias,
IS the Transition Limestone, iletalilefous
! or Carboui.erous Limestone, sometimes
called Mountain Limesione. It's compact
but has uoi the crystalline structure Of prlm
live Limestone. When examined cl0sel,
) the PIPER beds are found to consist Of a
G.t-, 4