Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-12-09
Aarttnltural
Wood Ashes as a Manure

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Wood Ashes as Manure
Wood ashes may be cassed under
head Of stimulating anelorators ratnS
han as actual manures, as they pertor
both these offices when applied to the Sc
As an anelorator, like lime, they modify
the texture of the soil They also seem to n
stimulate The plant to greater activity uan
it would otherwise possess, and AID IN pre-
parinp for its use and assimilation the 1er-
uIizng materials already supplied, as well
as attaching them from the atmosphere
They are found most useful on lands which
contain inert organic matter, if these lands
are sufficiently dry for their action.
Prof BENTz remarks that there is a
great analogy in the action OF ashes ana
lime. Like lime, they are best on soils mat
are not cacareous, and upon those on
which carbonate Of lime is most effective.
They loosen and increase the fertility OF
ccmpacts soils, if applied IN sut1clent guam
tity and intimat 'Iy mixed herewith Al
most all crops are benefited by their APP
plicat'on, but on old, worn out lands the&
generally give the greatest evidence OF
value though new soils, if deficient lT
some marked constituent Of ashes, show
eonaI effects. Further experiments are
needed to show the action OF ashes on
different soils, and all Nho1Ran give light
on the subject, should Communicate the
same for the public benefit.
In speatlngef thsl use Of .ashea -
~ 'sse 1s..s1is. y N
En- a ,W4 si}holn bone dust, as a fer
tlizer for turnps, and often with great sue
ces Fifteen bushels of each are applied
t. an acre and drilled in AIkaIies are
abundant in turnips, potatoes, and several
others roots, which are almost invariably
benefited by the application Of this stlmu-
liant. The immediate effect Of ashes adds
the same authority, is most percepub'e
upon eguminous plants, such as clover
peas beans. &c. As a topdresslng to
grass land it roots out moses and wild
grass, and promotes the growth Of white
clover Upon red clover lis effects are
promoted by mixture with gypsum. In
small doses 1t may be applied to thin,
poor suIs, but more than SIX or eight
bushels per acre, would be too exhausting
unless the soil is rich in vegetable matte.
or receives frequent applications Of animal
and vegetable manurcs,
OF the use of ashes as top-dresSing for
corn, almost every farmer has some eXperI-
ence, and we have heard but one opinion
expressed OF their vaIue-and that IN favor
UI their use in small quantities. They
seem to stimulate the corn plant, enabling
It to make use of the mannres furnished in
o her forms, and may also prevent the
ravages of various worms and insects
We have heard or known but very little
of the application of ashes to the whea
crop, though 1t has been recommended a!
a Corrective of acldity in the soil which
is shown by the growth Of sorreI-as des
tructlve to the wire worm, aud useful il
all cases in which lime would prove If ben
eft
Some agricultural writer's think tina
leached ashes prove OF more benefit as
permanent ameIiorator of the soil than IN
Ieached, aud that the longer they have lain
exposed to the air and weather the NOR
valuable they will prove in this respcc,
We have known very marked results
follow their application to both grain AM
grass lands, and would recommend the us
I of Ieached ashes in all cases where the
may be easily obtained.
We are Of the opinion that the nature o
the soil, rather than the character of tn
crop to be produced, should be considered
IN deciding ON the application of ashes
Land deficient on the elements they suppl
the carbonates, sulphates, slIicates an
phosphates-wlIl repay their application
1t they are not also deficient in yeoetabI
matter, and too wet to receive benefit lro1
any application of amendments or manures
, In all experiments and remarks which W
have noted, until very recently, wet soil
and seasons were thought to have a marke
effect on their value, and we have vet t
see any proof to the contrary
Thus much On wood ashes as an applica
ton to the soil, we have gathered from re
liable sources, but there appears great nee
nt careful experiment 5 to determine tn
worth of the different theories proposed -
Autumn is good time for commencing
such course, and we hope those situated
taVorably for so doing will try ashes. boil
eached and unIeached on the wheat crop
with view TO test their value and also o
comparing IT with lime and mari where tn
lalteL may be obtained Rural NrW I0rEgy