The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-02-16
AGRICULTURAL.
On the Earth-!Sand, Lime and Clay; and
Their use 10 Yegetation.


their use 10 Vegetation.
The great use Of alumnai appears 10 b.
giving txiiy and substance 10 the sandy
particles OF a soil, In This view, clay is ex
ceedingly beneficial, Many barren sandy
soils. which would not procure crops al all
indeed mere shifting sands have been con.
veried into fine arabic land, by spreading
CLAW over the sand; the manner Of doing
which will be described hereafter, when We
come 10 some subject as the claying and
marling Of land,
Besides the mere mechanical benefit Of
CLAW in uniting and binding soil. it is DINA
ieral service in absorbing and retaining
moisture BY reference 10 The specimens
given below. we see that clay absorbs wafer
more quickly and more abundantly and re-
tains il more ienaciously Than sand. Clay
does not heat so rapidly as sand, with The
sun. and il cools again more rapidly; thus
helping in hot weather 10 maintain an equal
temperature in the soil. Ii does not become
so cold as sand in winter, and the action Of
the fros; causes it TO contract; il closely sur
rounds the roots ofplanls and prevents them
being frozen,
Clay has also pre- eminently the property
Of absorbing ammoniacal and other gases,
which are generated by decaying manure in
the soil. Ii in asiable whence the strong
fumes OF the escaping ammonia are issuing
you place dry powdered e!ay. that strong
smell and gaseous, efl1via which almost
took your breath, aud made your eyes smart
will disappear Where has il gone II l.
still produced as before, and yet lis pres
euce is moi perceived. The dry clay absorbs
i; and the escaping gasses are fixed on that
oar fh .dslirr IN gurIrNrOPnr f(yEnErrrl
OF Plaster OF Paris has precisely The same
effects. in Il more striking degree A clay
soil or one containing clay il its compost
ion will more benefcialiy and completely use
lie manure laid on il, Where manure is
put on land and ploughed in, for instance
the ammonia al and other gases produced
by lis composition are performed in the sell,
and are partially taken up into the plants,
hul being formed faster than The plants can
absoi these products doaiawaK 10 wasle.ex-
cepi the soil can attract and absorb Them; &
thus hold Them over until they are required.
This clay will do-thls line will moi do-and
hence il follow that lands, containing cIIv,
constitute line most lasting and prolific soils
and are the most economical for manure
inr.
Lime is the third chief constituent OF soils.
II Is found in The various proportions in soils
according as they are calcareOus or other
wise, in some soils il exists &c the extent OF
55 10 so per cent. ofihc entire soil, in others.
not more than Is or 20 per cent, while in
some il exists in very small quantities, or may
he accounted altogether absent.
The presence of lime is exceedingly val
liable 10 soils, and is artificial application
necessary 10 The production Of successful
crops, where ii does not naturally exist. lis
uses may be considered in reference 10 It's
action on The soil, and in direc; application 10
living plants themselves.
In lis direct use as Co Tor plants. Line
plays very important pari, il Is necessary
Tor al grain crops. as il forms an important
constituent il iLeir substance. In wheat ash
IS there Is about tour per cent. Of lime: il
oats about 5 per cent. and rather more or
Barley and Rye. IL is found ia lie ashes o.
al trees and planis. whenever those plants
nave grown Qua soil containing lime.
Lime IS solvent III water TO great exienl
about 400lbs. OF w,ter will dissolve lib. oil
lime sufficiently 10 enable plants 10 taAe il
up by absorption. All plants designed for
human food, or for the food for animals alb
s,luiely require lime. as this subela E.
vyntuaily forms the bones Of both animals
Hence for grazing purposes. Limestone lands
are much superior 10 all others and will rear
a superior class Of animals. Horses, sheer
AID cattle led on lands resting on a limestone
foundation will be stronger. firmer, aid more
compact Than if they were fed on clayey &
sandy soil
We shall dwell more OF The use and Irop-
critics uf the most valuable OF the earths in
some future chapter. devoted 10 lime as
manure The above remarks will show the
importance OF line 10 vegetation.