The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-03-07

other, in color alone.
That this survey would be attended with impor.
tant discoveries, every geoogst believes and that
this may be expected, 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 employment was the dscov-
cry of bed of gypsum Of immense valne; following
hard upon this that of salt spring, which yields
more than enough to supply the whole State, at one
sixth eighth Of the former expense. These dis
coveres alone would an hundred fold repay the
pense of the whole survey.
2. In continuation, your committee would ask
attention to the second in favor of this survey
viz: That it will tend to full Development of the
laws of agriculture, and of the chemical and agrcul-
tural nature Of our Soils
The soil, like all other substances, is composed Of
certain elementary principles, generally dete rmined
by the rocks upon which it rests These elementary
principles almost always found in combination
with each other. These combinations almost ia
finite, and capable of almost infinite variety Of
resolution and of re combination In short the soil
itself is vast laboratory into which the skifu may
entcl and appropriate to himself agents. powerful to
subserve his purpose. The plant growing from the
soil is composed of similar elements, and it is the
sole object of agriculture to transfer these elements
the soil into The body of the growing plant tits
this process which the farmer should turn his
attention and it is with his hands loaded with the
knowledge necessary to the perfection of this process
that agricultural geology tenders to him its aid.
This process might be an easy one, the ele-
re Of the soil in such combinations the
plant requires Such not being the case, it is neces-
sary that the proper change choud be effected This
is done by mixing with the soil some substances
which will decompose the DID, and if necessary form
new combination. This way Of producing the de-
sired end has been pursued from time immemorial,
and the foreign substances, thus used, have received
the name Of manures,
The manure decomposes the compounds Of the
SOIL the plant sezes upon that portion which 1t re-
quires or the manure unites with noxious element
of the soil, forming inert or nsoluble and harm
less substance leaving vegetation to flourish now
where sterrilty regned before. Take familiar ex-
ample. A piece Of land, upon which there was orig
inay growth of pine or hemock, has got into
condition in which 1t will yield nothing. dressing
of leached ashes (potash) is applied, and luxuri-
ant 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-
tans large portion of oxalic acid. This is a proof
that the soil itself contains too much acid. When
the potash is applied to this soil, the acid unites with
it and forms inert compound, thus destroying the
influence of the noxious element. If on the contra
nv the land contains too much alkaIi, acid in some
form, must be applied. Various salts furnish acid
and the solid and especially the liquid excavations OF
animals contain it in large quantities.
From the foregoing may conclude, that the
manure does not necessarily furnish single element
to the plant that its true and Legitimate object is to
operate upon the soil ITSELF and that may be said
&c orally, that it has its operations under the same
laws Of chemical affinity which regulate all other com
bnutiuns Of matter.
We again say, it is the object of geological chem
stry to point the exact nature Of soils, and the
proper manures for each kind Of soil, with the mod
fcations necessary for the proposed crop But geo.
logical agriculture goes father than this. 1t
proposes to discover and point out the manures them
selves to teach the best methods Of their creation by
which bones and gristle, peat and swamp mack, lime
in all its varieties salt and ashes substances entirely
dssimilar may be made subservient to the same
great purpose, the production Ct vegsta6le life. 1t
may be that its teachings will be adverse to cherished
notions, and subversive of long established opinions
but it s sufficient to the objection of inno-
vaon that teaches nothing but truth, and this is
the antagonist of alone; and that habits and
methods should when they are proved inefficient
or erroneous, is admitted by all.
Your committee, therefore. believing that agricul-
lure will be most profitable when it is best understood
81, offers a
mount of necessary knowledge upon its laws and
processes beg leave to urge upon the house the pass
age of the accompanying bill.
J. Nc NJ SKATER, for committee.
LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
Some weeks ago, we received piece of poetry,