Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-02-03

every one who will examine the results OF
similar surveys, in the twenty States which
have made them, must be satisfied. OF
these results single instance may suffice.
Michigan employs State geologist.-
Among the first consequences of his en-
ployment was the discovery of bed of
gypsum of immense value following hard
upon this was that of a salt spring, which
yields more than enough to supply the
whole State, at one-sixth or one-eighth of
the former expense. These discoveries o.
lone would an hundred fold repay the ex-
pense of the whole survey.
2. In continuation, your committee
would ask attention to the second reason
in favor of this survey, viz: That it will
tend TO full development of the laws
of agriculture and of the chemical and
agricultural nature of our soils.
The soil, like all other substances, is
composed of certain elementary princ-
plos generally determined by the rocks
upon which it rests. These elementary
principles are almost always found in COM
bnation with each other. These combi-
nations are almost infinite, and are capable
Of almost an infinite variety of resolution
and of RECONCILIATION. In short, the soil
itself is a vast laboratory into which the
skiIful may enter, and appropriate TO him
self agents, powerful TO subserve his pur
pose. The plant growing from the soil is
composed of similar elements, and it is the
sole object of agriculture to transfer these
elements of the soil into the body of the
growing plant. 1t is to this process to
which the farmer should turn his attention,
and it is with its hands loaded with the
knowledge necessary to the perfection of
this process, that agricultural geology ten
ders TO him its aid.
This process might be an easy one, were
the elements of the soil in Just such COM
binations as the plant requires. Such not
being the case, it is necessary that the
proper change should be effected. This is
done by mixing with the soil some substan-
ces which will decompose the old, and, if
necessary, form new combination. This
way of producing the desired end has been
pursued from time immemoral, and the
foreign substances, thus used, have re-
ceived the name of manures.
The manure decomposes the compounds
of the soil, the plant sezes upon that por-
ton which it requires; or the manure I'M
ties with noXious element of the soil,
forming an inert or insoluble and harmless
substance, leaving vegetation to flourish
now, where sterility reigned before. Take
familiar example. A piece of land, up
on which there was originally growth of
pine or hemlock, has got into a condition
in which it will yield nothing. A dressing
of leached ashes (potash) is applied, and
a luxuriant crop of clover is the result.
How is this result produced The ground,
before dressing, will be found covered with
variety of useless vegetables, among
which will always occur sorrel. This con-
tains large portion of oxalc acid This
is proof that the soil itself contains too
much acid. When the potash is applied
TO this soil, the acid unites with it and
forms an inert compound, thus destroying
the influence of the noxious element. If,
on the contrary. the land contains too
much alkal, acid, in some form, must be
applied. Various salts furnish acid, and
the solid and especially the liquid evacua-
tons of animals contain it in large quaint
ties.
From the foregoing we may conclude,
that the manure does not necessarily fur
nish single element to the plant, that IFS
true and legitimate object is to operate up
on the soil itself, and that it may be said
generally, that it has its operations under
the same laws of chemical affinity which
regulate all other combinations of matter
We again say, it is the object of geo.
logical chemistry 10 point out the exact
nature of soils, and the proper manures for
each kind of soil, with the notifications
necessary for the proposed crop. But geo.
logical agriculture goes even further than
this. 1t proposes to discover and point out
the manures themselves, TO teach the best
methods Of their creation, by which bones
and gristle, peat and swamp muck, lime in
all its varieties, salt and ashes, substances
entirely dissimiar, may be made subscrv-
ent to the same great purpose, tie produc
lion Of vegetable life. 1t may be that its
teachings will be adverse TO cherished no.
tons, and subversive Of long established
opinions, but it is a sufficient answer to
the objection of innovation, that il teaches
nothing but truth, and this is the antagonist
of error alone; and that habits and meth
DDS should cease when they are proved in
efficient or erroneous, is admitted by all.
Your committee, therefore, believing
that agriculture will be most profitable
when it is best understood, and believing
that geological survey offers a vast "a
mount of necessary knowledge upon its
laws and processes, beg leave to urg &c up
on the House the passage of the accom-
panying bill.
J. Nom. SKATER, for committee.
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