Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-11-27

While we should like 10 know what In
scientific have to say to this theory, W,
have understood that the plain, prac,ica
farmers in the valley, now believe they
can make their lands rich by shading then
with anything accordingly, they ar,
covering them with any brush, straw, ant
clover, finding, as it is said, the raw male
rial better and more profitable than the
manufactured article that is, The shad.
10 be better than manure. Editor
Plough, Loom and Anvil.
WINCHESTER, Va, Sept. 1850.
Dear Sir (: submit for The considera.
lion of your agricultural readers few plain
propositions. IL you are possessed OF
any facts, which create doubt of the
truth OF any one Of them, | shall be pleased
10 see them stated in your Journal.
Proposition lst. Ofthe various changes
vegetable and animal substances UNDER
90, during their decomposition, the product
of the one only which has proved TO be
The ailment OF plants is the residue Of pu-
lreiaciion.
u. Each change is distinct and pc.
cular chemical process, differing not only
in the circumstances requisite TO produce it,
but also in the nature and chemical com.
position Of each product.
Sd. The value of each product depends
very materially upon the attention paid TO
the circumstances necessary to generate
each pecaliar process. This is known 10
be true with regard to the vnous and ace
,ous lamentations. and is equally true with
regard 10 every other.
4lh. That close, cool, dark, and
damp location, with contact Of air, is in
dispcnsable TO the generation of the putre.
faciive process. All organic substances
experience Ills. change only when thus To-
Gated.
5ih. No substance whatsoever will
undergo the puirelaclive process, when ex-
posed 10 heat, light, and free circulation
of air.
9Th. That decay, or eremacusS, is
distinct chemical process, differing essen
TALLY from The puirefactve, in the circum-
stances which produce il, as well as in the
quality Of the product, which is invaria
bly, destitute Of lerli!izing.
9Th. Puirelaciion may be considered
the ultimate result of vegetable and animal
decomPosi'ions, because it forms The only
product incapable of any other chemical
change, and is consequently indestruc'ble.
Sth. That the ezcrement of animals is
not manure. Like the bodies OF animals,
it never becomes the food OF plants until
subject 10 Puirefactlon.
9th. That the value OF manure mate
rally depends upon the perfection of the
pu,reiactlve process ,ha, is. the strength
ur fr,HiIiug Yuuities of the manure may |
always be estimated by the density and
duration of the shade 10 which i, has been
subject.
l0;h. Tha, The surface Of The earth il |
self will readily undergo the pu:relac'lve
process, if lavoratly located, that is, il
dcnscly shaded, which of necessity implies
a cool, dark. close, and damp location.
llth. That The fertility impaired to
The earth By shade. that is, manure made
Of the earth i,sell, is more durable, and
therefore more valuable, than that made
of any other substance halever.
l2lh. 1t is not true that the innpov-
erisi,ed condition OF any soil proceeds from
a deficiency in one or more Of lis mineral
because all soils, alike, may |
Le made exceedingly fertile by shade
alone. Yours, respectfully,
X. Il. BALDWIN.