The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-06-18
II In G r. a n nm G n.
NEW ARTIFICIAL MANURE

We hive seen in several English pubIica tons,
| notices Of new manure invented by MIR Daniel.
The following account oft given to the Royal
Agricutural Society, we extract from the Boston
Courier
''it had long been subject of inquiry, what is
the food Of plants how they supplied and what
the elements of their growth? There ev.
cry reason TO believe that n reply could be no "
given of more satisfactory nature than had ever
been hitherto known, besides which, by the dis.
covery of Mr. Daniels most important corrobora-
ton had been obtained OF what had been consid-
cred the elements of vegetable growth; those eIe.
ments carbon or charco a ,hy orogen or inlam
Unable gas, oxygen vital air, and nitrogen. All
these existed elements IN the atmosphere, in comb
nation with other elements i'm which state they were
found to be the of vegetable development,
II was known TO persons accustomed 10 rural pur
suits that the heaps of vegetable substances collec
ted for the purpose of manure, during the process
OF decomposition, became greatly reduced IN bulk
and weight. lfthey ins estigaod the to this
reduction they would find that it was occasioned
by the evaporation of the carbonic acid and am
monia the principal sources Of nutriment of plants
The discovery Of Mr. Daniel contained all the cle
r,,ents of vegetable growth. II did not supply new
elements, but the same derived from other sources
II was known that by combustion substances were
rapidly docomposed, and its operation produced
the elements Of vegetable growth. There were on
the earth numerous plants which apparently
useless, but it principle in nature that moth
ing should DO lost, and they were capable of a re-
duction into either elements, and being made the
means of vegetable growth in other forms. The
discovery Of Mr. Daniel suggested by the fact
that, while burning vegetables, he observed that
the ashes became blackened by the surrounding
smoke. and when used in that state were very
fer,Izing. This led him TO investigate the cause,
and as the result OF his investigation he had pro-
duced the new manure, the elements Of which
ware carbon and ammonia. With it the principal
properties would not fly off during decomposition,
ma tbn, would take place in the earth. Among 9th
err advantages, it was light ing weight, cheap, and
capable of being produced in any quantity.
uThls manure has been applied by the discover
.r,o his own crops on three Of poor land, in
| an elevated situation, on some OF which ne mas
crown wheat four successive years with improving
.os,i,s each wear; its good effects are therefore
founded upon experience, personal observation,
- Tho testimony of other observers competent 10
;,doe From the nature Of the manure il is appli-
- Win some variations in Its composition, TO
eyery kind Of crop. II is not stimulating manure
in the ordinary sense of the word-that ls' II WIN
not nave tendency 10 call into activity the exists
inc resources in the so-but its direct effect Is 10
conway TO the soil the direct nutrlment OF future
growth This effect is produced by the supply Of
ammonia TO the soil in substances calculated 10 re-
tain il for time to again absorb 1t from .he at
mosphere-Las they give it out to plants aufins
heir growth 1t will probably prevent also '''
rav,aes OF insects lis mode of application may 70
various. according 10 the circumstances % "'