Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-11-10
E-xl
POETRY.
AGRICULTURAL.

AGRICULTURAL.
. Fsoss The .sogttcf,, Fiopser.
A new Manure and probably n
Valuable Discovery.
We call attention TO the following very
interesting letter from DR.. Barton, Of
Rockbridge. well known farmer OF the
Valley, announcing the fact that the Sui
.phate of Baryta has been used by him
on clover in lieu OF gypsum, and ~iih e.
uually marked and beneficial effect The
fact is remarkable and well worthy Of
consideration. The general action Of
gypsum is now commonly supposed TO
consist in the sulphuric acid it contains,
though in what way that acts. whether
directly by affording sulphur to plants, or
indirectly by its affinity for ammonia, in
combination with which it is said 10 form
n powerfulmanure, or in some other way,
is not vet accurately ascertained. The
sulphate Of Baryta, or heary spar, as it is
technically called. acts. we presume, in
the same manner-certainly not by its
sbaryta. But as il contains only about
thirty three per cent Of sulphuIic acid a
gainst sixty per cent in gypsum, being
only half as much, it viii take twice the
weight to produce the same benefit. But
this will not be practical impedimentto
IT'S application; since, being twice as heavy.
The same MEASURE will give as much sui
phuric acid.
Gypsum is sometimes found combined
with il in small quantities, hut the speci-
men sent us by Dr. Barton. is free from
this and all other foreign substances, ex-
oept very small portion of sulphuret of
lead ; at least so says our friend, Profess
sor Rogers,to whose examination we SUBJ
nnitted it,
a.. The same high authority informs us
that it is not an uncommon mineral. and
is to be found not only in various parts
Of the Valley, but also in the whole tier
of our Piedmont counties, particularly on
the flank of the Blue Ridge. We know
that an extensive quarry of it has been
worked in Fauquier, whence it is sent to
Alexandria, 10 be adultcrated with white
lead. II is also found in Greene county,
and in several places in Albemarle, a
mong others, on the lands Of Mr.. Tucker
Coles, not far from Scuitsvi'e. But
!, though good deal difIused, it is rarely
, abundant in one place, occurring gene
rally in masses only few feet thick. 1t
is not therefore likely to become an arti.
Gle ofcommerce to any considerable ex-
lent though it may do soin some favored
localities. Fit is found to answer, how
over. it my very well take the place Of
fssgypsnm in limited districts. and prove a
-'lcIieap and valuable substitute for that "ne-
..cessiry of life" to clover and good hus-
bandry. On a recent visit to Stanton.
1--WE met with gentleman from Botetourt,
Mr. +. III. Mays. who told us that he had
large quantities of this substance, and that
J he could deliver it ground on the James
y River Canal at 50 so per ton. But he
was no doubt ignorant ofits great weight,
I and can probably afford to sell itat halftbat
price. AT all events, in view of the d.
rect statement of Dr. Barton, it is well
worth a trial, and ae cxhort all who have
!, il to give il fair one. We shall be glad
7 to report lie issue of all experiments.
As the impression NAV prevail that it is
s a virulent poison, like the carbonate and
other COMPOUNDS of baryta. we win state
that il is the only one Of them which is
not at all So. but on the contrary entirely
In our last number we extracted from
a New York paper an article containing
the following paragraph:
Recent discoveries Of extensive bed,
ofphosphatcs and other mineral salts in
various parts ofthis State presenting large
supplies of manure or food for plants. Of.
fer strong inducements for more care.
full examination of every comfy. as there
is reason to believe that vast resources
exist undiscovered within the reach of
most farmers, TO enrich their farms more
readily and raise the amount of their pro-
ducts far beyond eirpresent experience
, rpowers."
If such be good advice in New York.
as we take it to be, how much more ap-
plicuble is it Virginia, in where timid and
the courage nor the sagaciiy to carry out
any measures of enlarged and extended
policy. but leave it entirely to individual
enterprise and effort to make and promul-
gate the most important discoveries. The
present may be one of these, and many
more OF equal or greater value await the
patient explorer.
~ 10 ne Editor Of lie Southern Planter;
Dear Sr:-ln reply to your inquiries
relative to the specimen OF Barytes sent
you (ny my friend and relation, Mr.. Hax-
al, and my experience as to It's fertilizlng
effects, VIII with pleasure communicate
the result ct the only application made
ny me. ms experiment, however, was
made on scale sufficiently large to JUS