Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-11-03

quality OF all Organic mAnures IL forms the chief fcr
hing substance in the guano niraes and compounds Of
Hes the comparative value OF different IL forms
ourhths OF the entire atmosphere constantly surround
Ing the plants and presenting iuexhausble supply
but genorally unavailiug in IL simple fotm.
Plants receive this nitrogen through their roots
times rom the hSics but chiefly Ia the form OF ammonia
(ebg, sOl the formation of these compounds then be-
comes the subject OF inquiry, as the enrehine quality Of
the manurcs depends upon the quantity they contain Lib
era manuring IL the basis Of all agriculture. IL Is scarce
~ necessary Ia say, that the farmer must RELY upon tho
produce OF his fields and Of his animals for the
manurcs which he obtain be regarded a. subs
diary to this main Of supply The materials must
be collected and applied Nth method system and iudg-
mcnt and with special regard to the preservation OF the
compounds of nitrogen aud Oi those inorganic substances
found in the ashes plants But II negligence and waste
characterize the operations OF the farmer In the use OF
those materials there be justification FOR the pur
chase OF cuano other special manures TO remedy his
improvidence.
In regard the farm yard there great sources
of wastethe drenching effects of aud the heating
of manurcs The most OF the compounds of nitrogen,
aud the greater parts OF the saline ingredients Of
are soluble Successive washngs leave lte morc than
tile woody fibre OF tho manure containing scarcely
fertility. Water should be permitted To
from farm pen the quantity Of the materials and
the positinn of the yard should carefully guard against such
waste The extent OF the farm pen aud the quantity 81
materials collected must bc of no satisfaction il
the fctzng ingredients have been washed 10y
ccssye rains.
usually called heating Of Ammonia il a volatile
ska which is dsengaged from all organic nnnures 10y IA
pid fermentation. single example will to Sufficient for
Illustration Fresh stable manure in the dry state contains
three per cent ul uitroycn After heating IN a
thick stratum lost nnetenths Of its weight aud
tanned no more than per Of nitrogen when
duced To dryness.- Bousingaut 3SI. This degee Of
heating and extent OF loss rarely permitted and the
extreme is quoted only a warming against any
degree OF rapid fermentation, in which ann onia Is
lost. The spreading OF plaster, mari aud ashes be.
the different layers ofthe materials OF the farm pen
WILL TO some extent aid in fixing the ammonia and im
prove the quayot the Before hauling out the
heap should be turned twice to mix the inged
rns more intimately and produce uniform decom-
position.
lhe slow and gradual decomposition Of manure heaps
containing ashes and cscareOus cath only retain all
OF the ammonia aud nitric acid which formed from the
materials placed in compost but additional quantity is
produced by union between the elements Oft
heap with the free nitrogen OF the atmosphere la
posts thus formed aud frequently turned after prolonged
decomposition, the quantity Of nitrogen is found be
greater r the ammonia and nitric acid than contained
~ the whole oil the substances hrst placed in compost
Edngburg Quarterly Journal Az, lSi7-49, 5S2 Prof
Johnston, Bausirga 2ou To produce these results
the presence Of ais uc cAcareous carbonates is
cessary and the heaping OF the materials
pen mot sufficient Bausugault 9is. A. these c)u-
pounds OF nitrogen constitute the chief ierzng ingedi-
cut Of purcstent manures, the conditions necessary To
their formation should exist in the compost heap, and all
the VI increasing theic quantity, should be careful
adopted.
pointing the important requisites in the prepare.
do wish TO De UNDERSTOOD
recommending the of all the OF the farm
in that mode. The farm pen, To extent is inds
penSahe There must be sufficient materials collected
absorb and the manurc when POI ton the
cattle pcnued Further THAI this do regard the
accumulation OF vegetable substances economical ju
diciOus.
Among farmers there is a prevalent impression
that the process OF digestion by the cattle adds tO the fer
ulikimg ingredients Of the hrm PENN other words
makes the materials of the farm pen richer. This int,
preston must be removed at 10y the statement that
ME
aud the chief ferzug ingredient OF the That
portion of the nitrogen which distracted in the orma
Of "sh and which il eNhalei IRON the animal is
much Withdrawn from the fertility of the manures-tD
which be added that portion of the phosphatcs which
oms the bones. ton oI wheat straw then, be
garded containing larger amount Of enriching ee
before being fed cattle than the process
digestion.
rucrs is always large surplus of and other ma
erials not needed for arm pens and the best disposition
oi this i haul directly Ia the land YOU desire TO ma
nurr and To spread broadcast IL is much lighter
hauling when dry, aud be hauled in convenient
seasons. In the process Of decay ferLug principle
given oil to the air; for It Is asserted high authority
tho result Of experiment. that substance containing
nitrogen all of whose ports In contact with the air.
10 the process OF decomposition, contributes
To the confined atmosphere in which It is placed
OuSingault 2i2l But ON the contrary portion of the
hydrOden Olved in puriacUn uurs with the nitrogen
OF the atmosphere surrounding it, and forms ammonia
The absorbent powers OF the soil and OF the organic
stances suiiiien tn retain the formed
until consumed by the growing crop.
The production OF ammonia AMI nitric acid from the
nitrogen Of the atmosphere by the decay organic
in the soil Is unhesitatngly asserted by Professor
Johason-even when the decomposng substance pure.
ly carbOnaccous. I'D. Quar- Jour. Ag, p 5sI) IL il
unnecessary give the laws Of chemistry upon
which these results rest; but assume the conclusion
correct shat when decomp organic matter occurs
IN contact with air, small aud variable proportion o! a-
mona aud nitric acid produced the expense Of the
fee nitrogen of the amo pherc. Ibid. See also iou.
singaut, Sl2; Mulder quoted in Ed Jour. Ag lSIT
p 40 In this connection lac also states lin proportion
the presence Of lime promotes this decay of vegetable
and other organic matter in the SOIL the same proper
ton does Il promote the production of ammonia aud nj.
trio acid at the expense OF the free nitrogen of the atmo.
phere; and this may b. regarded one OF the valuable
aud constant purposes served 10y the presence of caca
reOu, matter la tue soil" Aud Lime Influences n Al,
unknown degree the noge1 oi the atmosphere to lac.
fixed ia lirger proportion in the soil ia the form Of
nitric acid aud ammonia than would otherwise be the case.
and this It does both 10y the greater amount OF decay or
oHcidaton, which II brings about in given Time aud by
the kinds Of compounds. which under its influences the
organic matter is persuaded to form
have thought proper impress upon the Society the
fact that the decomposition Of vegetable substances may
be udciou-y conducted IN the soil or ON ita sui face n
in the farm penand that there is really no gain from the
aborous process Of hauling in to be drcuched will,
rain and partially iermcntcd be hauled out with great
additional weight aud labor Even unroed pine leaves
a. fakcd up from the wOOds-thOugh acid soils they
produce injurious cIccts-on sols which have been rem.
dered chlcIreous, produce only aud aways beneficial re-
suits aud that il the best well the cheapest mode Of
chemists ia accordance with the observations of intel
lgcnt farmers; and know Of nothing within the range
OF well conducted experiments that contradict them
IL has been long known that benefit derived from
poughng under summer pens. Its explained by the
TACT that the abObaut powers OF the soil can retain h
ammonia and that further decomposition increases ON
I've sir. The Obaero effects o. opdrcssng may re
the same solution also tho shallow covering Of ma.
nurcs The striking effects produced 10y covering Young
clover with straw, weeds other vegetable substances
producing rcs in the growth and u1urauce OF the clio
yer far surprising the apparent fertility impaired by tho
eoveting-may be explained 10y the reasoning In.
deed the ultimate products Of decay and putrcactiop
whether occurring IN the rm pen the soil are car ton.
&c acid, water or ammOuia(Licbi 1867 The quantity
aud quality OF the organic matter will be the measure of
fertility impaired 70 the soil in It's ultimate accommodation
The greatest return may be received 10 the first CROP
but the maximum Of improvement 10 the land and the
mos, successful cropping for series Of years will follow
10 may be proper also to that the accommodation
Of Tue straw &c furnishes constant supply Of carbonc
acid to the leaves and root Of growing plants which must
not he regarded rs trivial Insignificant For four ton.
Of perfectly dry vegetable matter will Yield nearly ono
fourth much carbOnic acid exists in the whole atmos
phec acreo land. lei. constantly rising through
their leaves aud furnishing additional supply Of food
uIHFa ssFa Cd. ..... f.ls.f ILL.,. a.