Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-12-12

Suphate of Lime, 9 -
Snphate of Magnesia. anu loss ......' -. Lou
Alumina and oxide of iron. -
Ioo
A more recen: analysis of the stalk of the Cotton
plant made at the laboratory of professor Norton of
Yale College, exhibits the following as its constituent
elements -
Charcoal and Sand, (accidenaD ............... 376
Silica 81
Carbonc Acid IA 80
Snh ia oo 90
nuPhurle Acd. %
seos
Now then, we have starting pace-an index to
point 10 what the necessary ingredients which es
sentialy comprise the inorganic wants of the Cotton
plant If we look at the preceding tables. we find
that Lime Potash, Phosphoric acid and Phosphate of
lime, lphuric acid. Magnesia, and Carbonir acid
he latter organic) the chief food upon which
feeds. The question of feed being settled. the next
question have TO ask ourself, s,-are there sufi-
cent quantities of these various substances in the soils
of our friend " Panoa,'' 10 satisfy the wants of the
Cotton plant and encourage its luxurant growth
We shall, in the first place. address ourself TO the
soil of "A, and ask oursef has it enough lime with
in its body The analysis says it has S-lOths of
per cent, which, according 10 calculation, will
make the quantity TO the acre, when ploughed inch.
deep, about $40 bushels and if there is enough
in it for all present purposes, so far as supply
|
be advantageousy used to increase the absorbent and
retentive properties of the soil.
The substance in order, is Potash of this there
is deficiency the soil which should be supplied either
by Ashes, the Carbonate of Potash,-the former
should prefer, because, in applying ashes many other
substances of which the plant stands in need, would
be also supplied, Carbonc acid silicc acid, phos
pilates of iron, lime and ndgnesiG, Enne, MGgnessa,
Soda oride Of iron Chlorine. phosphore acid. Sui
phuric acid, and organic acids.
Phosphoric acid, and Phosphate of lime, next,
substances greatly demanded by the Cotton plant in
all its strucues-and of this there is but trace in
soil A.; hence them 10 these demands, it must be
arically supplied TO the soil, and the readiest way
TO do this. we apprehend IS to give it dressing OF
bone earth, of gnano.-or, indeed, both perhaps
would be preferabe,the former substance source
of future supply, the latter present one.
OF Sulphurtc acid the supply in soil a." we deem
sufficient, though we believe bushel of plaster per
acre. if srewn over the land after it may have been
prepared would be of infinite service, in attracting and
outstanding the enrichng gases of the atmosphere.
The supply of Magnessa in soil "A" is ample.
The Carbonic acid, required by the plant, will, we
think, be abundantly supplied by the "orgdnic mat
ter in soil &c Al and by the applications OF liberal
portions of the composts, formed BY " natures ednn5
hdnd,'' which abound friends estate. and
which he has both the courage and the enterprise tt
apply. In those substances which he enumeraes. he
has, he very correctly remarks both the ergaai
inorganic elements calculated to improve his land
ii
ces. And we will here venture the assertion, thai
without the aid of cotton seed he could have made
1000 lbs of D." seed coon,'' 25 bushels of corn, te
the acre, without the other substances comprising hi
composts rich in the elements of bone earth.
both cotton and greedy eaters of that kind
diet. and cannot do without ii, 1t may be. however
and think it probable that in the subso, the plant
: found supply.
The per centum organic matter in soil &c A.
not large, but the contrary small, and but for tn
ar Of he w
of--the ploughng down of the pea-stubble, and tn
I grazing of his hogs on the land-would long sine
! have become exhausted.
The soil of analysis B." except in its quantities
fine quartz sand, and sicate of lime and magnesis
organic NATTER and the entire absence of phosphorie
cid. similar in its quantiative and qualitativ
constituent elements to that of a. to require
:, similar treatment OF organic matter, it has yer
unusually large quantity for land that has been lon
cultivation SeUen per cent of organic matter is
y often to be found in such soils; and should take
that its absorbent and etenve powers much grea
u er that account than are those of the soil OF
Its quantity of lime, according TO our calculation, If tn
soil be ploughed inches in DEPTH would be about 1S
bushels TO the acre,-a quantity ample for all presel
purposes; but disposed 10 believe, that, if
bushels of freshly saked lime per acre, added
it, as topdressng, it would increase the decomposlr
IS powers of the land. and render its organic remain
u much more readily available TO the growing crops, al
e as consequence, increase its products.
The soil represented by analysis c. is defcie
at in acknowledgement would be much improved,
from $50 TO 1000 bushels of clay per acre, add
TO ii, and thoroughly incorporated herewith, ploug
If ing, sploughng, and narrowing. Such additie
would greatly increase IFS capacity to hold manure, a
sorb and retain moisture, and attract the eRrching
d. stituents of the air, and. necessary result ncrea
l. its productive powers. Of lime, it has enough +
J. some years, though hundred bushels of mari, per
ere, SO bushels of freshly slaked lime, would be
20 essential service TO it. Looking to the omayss-wi
the exceptions we have pointed QUIT should
treated in the way we have indicated the pro
lie er treatment for soil of analysis :" A"
d. We have thus briefly stated the wants of soils
IN B., and c., in relation to their growth of Coo
er and here seize the occasion 10 say. that so far
IN Corn is concerned, they just applicable to it
10 cotton, for it happens, that the food which thu
most delight in is peculiar TO each plant, the foloy
80 ing analysis of corn will show:
ANALYSIS
OF of the grain. of the co
Carbonc Acid trace "a
Silic Acid $50. 10 3
81 hnospnorl' ''u ih''ie PeroAioe oi 921O...135