The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-05-26
The Farmer.
Extracts from Edward S. MattOcks'

may possibly, be found in many cases, TO be the
cheapest. II powerfully attracts heat from the sun,
md thus makes the soil much warmer. But liz gren'-
effects produced by its great powers of absorb
ing AMMONIA, il being the best substance known for
that purpose-abe TO absorb 80 times its bulk Of am
monia-and gives it of slowly the vital attraction
of plants. Tho ammonia, il will BIO recoected, a.
bounds in the excavations of all animals, in all de-
composing substances, particularly animal, and de-
sends also in the dews, rains and SHOWS Every
coal burner is that vigorous and healthy vege
tation always surrounds the old coal beds. Mr. Hep
burn of Pa, says ain passing field he surprised
at the exceedingly luxurant growlh of crop fgran
and enquirhg the cause, was told, that it was owing
20 dressing orcharcoal spread upon it than
20 years before, and that the crops raised since
invariably fine to quantity and quality, lie men
tons another gentleman, who spread quantity of fine
coal upon his grass land, which nearly doubled the
quantity of grass, and the good effects of which
tnued for 10 years long as he owned it. Its Iibcr
al use in France, is sad has increased the annual
crop of wheat in that country, 100 900 Of bush
els as bushels is said to be the proper quantity TO
the acre. 1t should be broken fine before used Its
efficacy is improved by being soaked with urine
Thus used it produced so bushels Of wheat to the
acre.
Leaves from the forest mako valuable manure.
These not good unmixed, even when rotten, on
account of the acid they contain. They should be
mixed with ashes or barn yard manure The most
pr ofable way to them is for litter. A good way
TO collect them is to have piece of sackng like
sheet spread upon the ground, then rake the leaves
npon it, when full, lie the and hand it to the
in the cart, who cmpties them, and treads them
down.
Gypsum or Pliser Of Paris is another substance
largely used There is the greatest dis
crepancy ofopnon as 10 its value. Some assert that
i. produces wonderful effects while others that
it produces effect at ALL Chemists aud scientific
men are no more fortunate, for they disagree in their
theories Of IFS action upon vegetable lile There can
be doubt but that Plaster has produced surprising
effects upon soils, while upon others has prov
Cd entirely useless, its good effects constant,
for produces marked effect one year, and no effect
Mt all upon the same field, the next. This is TO be
accounted for in part at least, by the facts there is
great difference in the strength of different specimens.
The easiest way to determine its strength good
qualities, to heat small portion of it; the sprci-
that emts the strongest smell Of sulphur is the
best;-and that many lands are already so highly
charged with plaster in their natural condition, TO
derive no benefit from an additional quantity. There
is scarcely any saline substance generally diff
fused than this plaster OF Paris Sulphlte of
Lime. II constitutes portion Of almost every soil,
and is contained greater less extent in all river
and spring water and gives to water when in consid-
cradle quantities the character Of hardness. sup
pose that the soil Of Caledonia Co. is generally i'm
pregnatcd with Sulphao Of Lime, and that great
benefit need be expected from its a manure
There very probably farms where it would
be found highly servceable. Evidently tho best and
only proper way FOR the farmer who is DESTROYS of
trying its effects, is to use, but a small quantity at
FIRST. He will then find out whether he profta-
bly, use it on his farm. On heavy, soils ii is said
plaster is scarcely felt at ALL but light sandy soils or
loamy those which it acts most senslbly,
and Clover, Lucerne, Potatoes Cubbnges, Peas &c.
the plants which exerts the most powerful
influence 1t is much valued as dressing for wheat
for its direct action that plant, and more particular
ly for its effects in securing and promoting the growth
Of clover and other grass seeds usually sown with
wheat. / or bushels TO the acre is considered a
sufficient quantity to apply at once. Its effects last
through seasons and frequently longer. 1t is con-
eidered much more valuable when applied with ma
nure.
Lime is another substance abundnntly used as a
manure. Perhaps there is no substance which has
been so abundNntly and perseveringly praised
manure, as lime, and few. in my opinion with so lit
lie reason Open an agricultural paper years ago
and the most you was, Lime Lime. the good eff.
fects Of Lime! the action of Lime almost every farm.
signing for Lime! "Oh that was able to bu,
lime for my land,' the cry. In the words o.
DR.. Dana "a around he heard the requiem Of de-
parted wheat fields. The burden Of the chant is car
Donate of Lime! carbonate of Lime The wall is j
has gone! gone! The want of this is the grand char
acteristc of our soil.' But slowly and gradually il
the cry dying away Steadily and surely is the grea
Lime humbug subsding. Thousands, who a few
years ago, believed Lime to bo a specific for grea
orops, now believe it to be useless as manure Il
has been said and often repeated, that the want o.
I.me is the grand characteristic Of our SOIL the sole
cause of all our barrenness. the cause of our small
crops; that wheat contains portion of Lime and all
chat is necessary to produce great crop is to freely
and nbundanty use Lime upon the land. How much