Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-02-24
AMMONIA.

More commonly konwn as hartsliorne, in
an alkali being of burning causlic taste, and
as every one must know, who has treated the
nasal organ TO its aroma, is Of a powerful,
pungent odor. 1t is very volatile in its char
acter, for unless close, confined from the in
fucnce of the atmosphere, its peculiar quail
ties pass of and enter into new compositions,
in the material system.
Its chemical composition is one part Of
nitrogen, the principle ingredient of the at
mosphere, to three of hydrogen-a gas which
of itself is inflammable, but which when unit.
ed with oxygen, forms water or if taken in
atomic proportions, II parts of nitrogen, and
3 of hydrogen, from II of pure ammonia
See Dana's Muck Manuel p. 1901
Thus much for what ammonia is ncxlly,
Where is it found
1t exists in the atmosphere-in the cloud
tina, floats through tin the snow and rain
that fall upon the earth indeed its existence
may be traced TO all organized substances
1t is found most abundantly, however, where
the process OF decay is going on most rapidly,
and IN such cases unless precautionary meas
urss are adopted to prevent its escape,it pas
ses into the atmosphere, and though that be.
comes an annoyer as well as benefit, for
then, while it feeds the farmers wheat, it all
SO yields nourishmcnt to his tares. If his
grass flourish under its inluece, the tlistles
by the way-side and in the 'old field shoe,
up more luxurian,ly from the aid it bestows.
In the more valuable manures it is found
most abund liant, and DR.. Dana supposes tho
yearly produce from the manure of one COW,
to be 1873 pounds Of pure ammonia, or $50
lbs, of the carbonate Of ammonia of the shops.
Other animal manurcs possess it in differ
ent quantities, and it is upon this mainly,
that their effect in producing fertility is sup
posed to depend.
Hence the property of the farmers adopt
ing such course with these manures as will
90 most likely to convert them to practical
benefit. In order to effect this, the process
OF evaporation must be stopped until they are
placed where the gasses will not pass into the
atmosphere, or substances must be incorpo.
rated with them which will unite in taking up
ammonia. Hence the benefit of composts,
; Tor all the turtt, weeds, muck, and other de.
composable absorbants, which are thrown n-
to, and incorporated with, the manure heap,
TO go to aid in taking up the salts and gases,
which would otherwise pass into the atmos-
phere, and become rich manures of themselv.
es. Any one can see the propriety of this,
Take for instance, any dead animal and ex-
pose 1t on the surface of the earth, Ioathsom
eiiiuvla will pass off, as decay advances
Bury the animal, and the stencil ceases to
annoy you, but qualification does not STOP
1t merely passes into surrounding substances,
f instead of the atmosphere. Now when the
animal has all or nearly all decayed take the
earth that surrounded il and apply it to your
lands, and you will find the effect to fertilize
arise from it. Or, if you please, let i, re-
main, and luxuriant growth Of weeds will
for years mark the place, unless buried so
f deep that its effects are no, felt on the sur
face.
1t is just so with all manures: while the
nSoes of decay is going on, the volatile and
Important parts are passing away in unheal.
thy stenches, poisoning the air, and wasting
The substance of the farmer. 1t is his weahh,
one that might soon be realized IN the beauty
Of luxuriant crops, and later in dollars and
cents, (these words of peculiar charms, pass.
ing OIL on the wings of the wind.
Even in winter, when the frost and cold
are exerting their -putresccnt qualities,
it may hardly be said to stop; and unless
T..n '~"'''e' NV '"nS"s SP'WS
will be sure to waste the accumulatons win.
ter brings. To remedy this evaporation,
many of the enterprising farmers where ma.
nures are fully appreciated, have made cell
lars under their barns and stables, into which
the manure is daily thrown to protect it from
the drenching Of storms and the effects of the
atmosphere.
The saving by this plan has been found to
yield rich profit for the outfit, but still the
gases will to some extent, pass of, and rem.
edy for this has developed itself in the ad.
mixture of the sulphate of lime, gypsum, or
plaster of Paris, with manure in winter. It
should be thrown in frequently, and IT'S effects
in summer when applied are to correct all of.
tHnsive smells, and retain the gases 10 their
proper places.-Berkshire Far.