Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-26

Ma. EDrron:--1n my last, spoke of lime
AZ one ofthcuccessary constituents ofevery
good soil, the necessity for its presence a.
rising from the fact thatcvery crop requires
more or less of Il as food and | showed
that deficiency exists ON that portion of
Mr.. Tutwiler's farm, which has long been
in cultivation. But there are other advar-
tages which will flow from judicious ap-
plication oflimc. The lime would, by its
affinitics hasten the disintegration Of the
particles sand. &c, inthc soil, and would
also promote the decay Of the organic or
vegetable matter present. The mineral
substances Of the soil cannot become food
to plants no matter how abundant they
may be, until they assume such forms Of
combination as to be soluble for the only
way in which they can be taken into ill.,,
plants must be by the water which is abb
sorbed through the roots. Now the lime
by causing disintegration gives rise to these
soluble combinatiors, and thus pl ces a
larger amount Of food within the reach OF
the roots of the growing crops. By pro-
noting the decay ofthc organic matter in
the soil, the lime liberates the various min
cral matters which it contains, as means for
the growth succeeding crops; for these
substances having once been foodto plants,
are in that form which more readily en-
ablcs the growing crops to appropriate
them. Again, the organic matter by its
decomposition yields more or less carbo-
mic acid /; this is absorbed by the moisture
in the soil, and increases its solvent pro-
perties for certain substances, and it plays
a part similar to the lime in causing the dis
indignation Of the soil. Since, however,
lime hastens the decay of the organic mat
ter in the soil. it is indespensably neces-
sary in using the former. to keep up the
supply ofthe latter by applications ofsta-
bic manure; or what is more readily done
in our county. by blowing under clover or
other green crops.
Mr.. Tutwier states that his wheat heads
well, but that it is apt to lodge in other
words the straw is not stiff enough. This
shows deficiency Of the Siiicate Of Po-
fdssd, as 1t is this substance principally
which gives stiffness to the straw Of the
gram crops. The deficiency arises from
there being very little potassa in the
soil, and from the selcia (sand) not being
in such a form of combination as to be solu,
bic. The most efcctual way to ensure a.
bandant supplies of poiassa. would be to
manure well with unleached ashes then
athcrc are sufficient supplies of lime and
organic matter, such chemical changes will
take place asto yield the silicate of potassa
in quantities sufficient to supply the want
Of any crop. Mr.. I. finds that his corn is
very much benefited by the application of
ashes this is because they yield the corn
supplies Of potassa that the soil could not,
and there can be NO doubt that an spph-
cation Of ashes to his wheat-6elds would
prove equally efiicacious. The benefits of
ssssso wheat crops on the Mulatto land.
@nsen clearly shown this spring on one
" M spson's fields. On quite large
.;ncs I looked X seld. tho wheat 'omctime
!" ! . so@ .oms Y, and was very thin, but
color .r was s fine. i'm sesm diameter the
growth wa. much betiasd thick. and 9TH, the
around. On this spo, s 22sn 20" S.J
ssood, and Mr.. Ransom to ga ' rec, h mao :
had It burned the askes were ..S
scattered upon the ground making 80
spot unusually productive. while The OK
positions Of the field scarcely yielded Z
average crop. v. NJ. l.