Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-07-20
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
May 81, 1863.

~ MAf 90 AOOOsss5
To HIS ExcELLENcY, DAVID S. REID:
Sin: 4 had occasion in my former letter TO speak
of the general composition OF farm yard manure.
said that il was composed of organic and Inorganic
matter The former is distinguished practically from
the latter by the fact that it burns and is dsspated
bv heat whereas the latter remains in the form of
ash or an ncombustible substance, which, though it
may appear homogeneous, consists of many import
ant elements all of which essential in the econo-
nv of vegetation. The matter which, is dsspated
by heat is also essential to the growth and perfection
of the living individual. But there was time not
long since passed by when the organic matter was
regarded of no account. The promulgator OF this
doctrine was the celebrated liebg OF the University
of Giessen. Liebig is great man. He clothes his
doctrines in beautiful dress our language ad-
mits of. He loads them with an array OF facts which
at first sight seem unanswerable, bu they do not all
bear investigation. He has abandoned already some
of his errors, but while yet some OF his followers con-
tnue to present them, we find many OF our agrlcul-
tural writer's and speakers among them. Ihey Were
at the first more ready obey their master than the
prophet Jonah, and astonishing as it may seem they
were still more unlike him in their doings they swa
lowed the whale, biubber and all F.! But as l have
said the doctrine is settled, organic matter is essential
to gooo fertilizer and the good qualities of the farm
yard is in part owing to the presence of this
matter. The fact that organic matter is so valuable
as fertilizer that the vast deposits of muck and peat
in the low countries will become great resource for
the planter. This substance IS scarcely known in
the middle counties. But these counties not
tirey destitute of bodies of organic matter. Decom-
matter may supply in part this desideraum. But
may regard the fertilizers of the forest by means
nconsiderable and should not therefore be overlook
ed. Scarcely plantation ex lists which cannot sup
ply large amount of ash, from the fallen and fall
ing trees. These may be gathered and burned, and
although loss is sustained by the dissipation of or
ganic matter, still ii is the best way to treat the fall
len timber which has already become too much de-
cayed for building of little value for fuel.
BY proper use OF this the old lands may
be partially renovated. The money which it is ne
cessary to expend in making directly this class of
I fertilizers is only trifing. How many thousands OF
bushelSof cobs might be burned for their ashes
This may seem to be a small business, yet cob ash
contains large amount Of the alkalies which ex
pensive fertilizers, and years required FOR their
decay IN the ordinary way they are treated. How
many thousand cords OF wood lie rotng in the fields
which meyer benefit the present generation, if
they benefit any other The disposal of them in the
way propose removes an unseemly nuisance, while
by the mode proposed they may be made to add to
the wealth, beauty and health of population. Straw
should not be burned burning renders the silica nso
uble. If covered with soil, however, it decomposes
with tolerable degree of rapidity. and we obtain
thereby large amount of silica in combination with
the alkalies and organic matter which is in state
fitted for the economy of cereals-a class of plants
which require this substance for the strength and
protection of their In the present state of
many plantations it can hardly be expected that
sort to the ordinary means of plantation will De
sufficient to bring up the fertility of the soil TO the
standard have marked in the preceding communi-
CdIion' something may ne PufcHdSSG. vi all the
articles which pay the best mineral phosphate of
lime, bone-earth and guano stand at the head. The
last is the most active and immediate in its effects,
and are more visible to the eye. Yet the mineral
phosphate and bone earth the most durable and
cheaper in the long More benefit will be re-
ceived from expenditure of the amount Of
money in the mineral phosphate than in guano. This
is particularly true when it is used in warm eli
mate, unless special is observed in the time and
mode of application. 1t requires skill in its
use. Allied to guano is the excrement of fowls In
a country which can sustain great numbers Of fowls
so cheapy it is rather remarkable that provision
is ever made for combining them. So active is their
excremeDt that thers is danger of employing il
in excess and in a concentrated state than GU
ano.
! Without having considered all the substances
which may be obtained and which are accessible to
most planters for the purpose of increasing the fer
tility and products of their plantations, may close
this head of the subject by saying that all organized
matters fertilizers, and large proportion of in
organic matter contributes il way other to
the growth of plants. Clay and sand the waste of
roads, the sediments of creeks, coal and coal dust,
the fine cnders of FORCES, the bleaching bones
ed about the field, the mud of marshes and swamps,
are all good In their place, and all may be made TO
increase the comfort and wealth Of the planter and
4 farmer.
am sir, most respectfully,
| Your obi aerv't.,
E. EMMONS