The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1846-12-24
From he Y. Jour. Of Commerse.l
ANTHRACITE COAL ASHES AS A MANURE

ANIdRAtITE COAL ASHES AS A MANURE.
PELHAM FARM, Nov Both, 1886.
Messrs. Editors 81 have tried several expert
ments with Anthracite coal ashes and have
found 1t valuable as manure ; and would con-
hdentiy recommend its use to my fellow Agricul-
turists.
As now managed in New York il is a perfect
nuisance, deplorable loss, and wiIful waste Much
oil II hnds Its way into the rivers from the streets
and steamers, and will eventually impede navi-
cation, as it conglomerates, and forms hard mass.
es at the bottom. II after careful experiment, it
IS found serviceable to the farmer, a law might
be passed by Congress, forbidding the use of our
peauului rivers and bay, as a receptacle for not
only coal ashes but many other valuable manures
which now daily find their way there, the val
ue oi which, II properly husbanded, would be al
most lncalcuable. 1t is susceptible of proof that
the fertIzIng substances thrown away In New
YORK, during one year, would, if placed upon
the soil, sod many millions oil dollars to its re-
sources.
Anthracite is species of coal which differs en-
hrely in its properties from all other kinds con-
slsng as 1t does, altogether, nearly so, of car
bon, with hardly any hydrogen That is the
reason why neither flame nor smoke issues from
1t when ignited; and consequently no gas. II
may be called with propriety mineral charcoal:
and is more like coke, than any other substance
exceptin appearance. From several experiments
which tried last season with success, | am in
duced to recommend it with confidence 1t was
scattered over portion of my lawn, in the SPRING
at the rate OF rs loads of Ii bushels per load to
the acre. The result was a rapid and luxuranr
growth of Timothy and clover far SURPRISING in
richness OF color, and strength of stem the grass
growing contiguous to it: so much so indeed
that the difference was remarked bV all who saw
u and the question was constantly asked Why
doeS TINS grass grow so much faster and look so
much greener than that growing along side oft!
ne piece so MANFRED, came to maturity and
was mt for the scythe several weeks before the
rest OF the field. 1t all harvested at the same
time. The aiter-swath grew with great luxuri-
ance, and was fit for second cutting long befo-e
the rest of the field was inches high. like
wise applied 1t to the roots of ten Young plum
trees, which before had shown no indication of
bearing fruit. All bore crop the last season.
Those in the vicinity, MANFRED in the ordinary
way, did not produce plum, although they were
OF the same age and set out at the same time
fotash ana soda were present in the first instance
and absent in the second
truly believe Anthracite coal ashes Womb
prove beneficial to all upland soils. especiaIlv n
heaVy' tenacious clay, which they would rende-
porous, and easily cultivated, keeping il omen 60
as 10 admit freely, moisture and the atmospheric
gases and yielding by slow decay, Potash Soda
ana SuIphste OF lime to the roots.
ns 'oP dressing upon clover, and other grass
es' tney viii be found extremely valuable, and
WIN ihuuce the growth of white clover, where it
has never been known to grow before
Its principal value is owing to the Potash So
d. and suIphate OF lime it contains all Of which
are indispensable to growing crops.
am very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
ROBERT l.. PELL.
Inc Maine Cultivaor says:-A gentleman in
ms town informs us that he tried Anthracite coal
ashes last spring on grass land, and found the
grass much higher and more forward on acconn,
oil IL on that part OF the field where the ashes