Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-02
0RIcULTURAL.
From The Louisville Journal.
The Beneficial effects Of Gypsum
upon Glover and Corn.

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upon Glover and Corn.
The result Of an experiment with plas-
ter upon clover and corn was detailed to
us few days since by an intelligent farm
or and physician of breckenridge county,
which proved so extraordinary that we
deem it important that farmers generally
should become acquainted with it. His
first experiment was made by applying
plaster upon clover, at the rate Of one
bushel (about 100 pounds) to the acre, up
on the highest and poorest portions of his
farm. Where the plaster was applied,
the clover was of the most luxuriant
growth, measuring about 3 feet in height,
while that Immediately adjoining and not
plastcred did not exceed eight inches in
height His seed corn is mixed with tar
to prevent destruction by birds it is then
rolled in plaster until the grains will separ-
ate freely in dropping. AT the time of
the first dressing of his corn small guam
tty ofplaster was applied to each hill
The effect was almost equal to that upon
the clover. lie assured us the yield of corn
was ut least onc-third greater than that not
treated with plaster. His land is ola warm,
loamy character, and the subsoll is po-
rous, friablc clay.
Farmers Of the Eastern States make use
of large quantities of plaster in the manner
above described. 1t is recommended TO
add two bushels Of wood ashes TO one Of
plaster to the acre of corn, to be applied at
the time ofthe first working.
Gypsum has been used in agriculture
for ages, and for long time its direct cause
of action upon growing crops was mys-
terry. 1t is now conceded by the most dis
tinguished chemists that plaster within it
self contains no fcrtilizing power. Its won
sierfuI efforts are produced by fixing the
ammonia from the atmosphere and from
manures, most kinds of which contain it,
and storing it up for the use ofthe plants.
Plaster will be found valuable in Ger
tain soils for almost any crop, and we have
no doubt that, flour gardeners would APP
plyit in connection with stable manure, a
saving Of at least one-half the quantity now
applied would be the result The am
monia contained in fresh stable manure,
is the most valuable ingredient of the
whole, though being of so volatile nature
that ordinarily the largest portion of it is
lost.
A bed of plaster has been discovered in
Ohio, and thirty hands are employed in
working it. The demand fort through
out the State is rapidly increasing. Pro
fessor Mather, Corresponding Secretary of
the Ohio State Board Of Agriculturc,s speak
ing of it, says 81 can assure you it is a
more nearly pure Plaster Of Paris (sul
plate Of lime) than the Nova Scotia, the |
New \ ork, or the kanawha plaster" The
discovery Of this bed so near us would |
prove ofgreat value to the agricultural in
forests of the West, could the directors of
the Ohio railroads see it to their interests
to reduce the price of transportation to
half the present rates. Indeed we are |
quite confident that, should they reduce
their charges to merely nominal sum, the
companies would be the gamers by it, as
the crops from its use would be greatly |
augmented and the business of the roads |
thereby increased.