Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-11-08

,,nblfr motives concur To stimulate the energies
Of Performers. These vast benefits flow from
the announcement Of a single scientific truth;
nad tie extent Of its value will scarcely be appre=
ciated by tie existing generation.
II i greatly to be regretted, TINT our niorma=
ton IN regard 10 the district above tdo-water Is
so limited aud uncertain. There Is no geologi-
cal map TO guide our course. Over the different
parts OF this widely extended area we have every
variety Of primary stratifed rocks, producing
soils of every degree Of fertility. Many counties
are covered by gneiss, aud the soils produced
from them are ght-colored. deficient in lime,
maguesia, &c. In many others, sandstones are
the leading formations, aud the soils formed
from them are the most sterile perhaps to be
found in the State.
After crossing the Blue Ridge, reach the
limestone formation, which occupies the entire
length aud most of the breadth of the Valley
producing soils generally fertile, some Of them
cmincnty 80. Success sye strata of sandstone,
limestone and slate are found in proceeding west
ward from the Valley, terminating in the great
coal formation of the west. BY far the greater
part of these rich lines soils destitute of
the carbonate of lime, but are supplied with lime
in the form Of scate of me.-(prof Gilham)
There is strong reason for believing that
deficiency of lime in any Of lis combinations is
the chief cause Of sterility in the naturally poor
soils Of all of those districts, and that an incroas
ed supply is needed in the more fertile soils
For the primary rocks in which quarts mica and
fcldspar predominant the sandstones, mica and
States and clay states, are generally poor III lime
The less vigorous vegetation of the grasses, and
coYers. the prevalence Of pine, broom grass and
poverty grass are generally sufficient lndica-
ton Of the want Of lime in soil. Still, the few
experiments with lime have not been of con-
elusive or satisfactory character. If applied
without analysis to ascertain the composition OF
the lime, or upon soils without "A knowledge OF
thor origin, they were certainly emplrcal; from
which no safe conclusion can he drawn
Those striking benefits which hive followed
the application of lime in the tide.water district
may be expected on all Of the naturally poor soils
OF other sections. 1t was the remark Of DIR.
Anderson. an eminent practical Chemist of Scot
land that he had never met with poor soil III
It's natural state, which not benefited IN
very great degree by caearcous matter when
administered proper quantities. Experience
he suYs, has proved that by tins one operations
such poor land may be raised IN money value
eight times, or from five shngs 10 forty shlll
iugs per acre of annual remit Prof Johnston,
Ed Quarterly Jour, ISl7 10 p 526. The sur
face OF whole districts even is sometimes dou-
BLEED or THRILLED in value by the use Of lime alone
--harrcn sandy soils often admit Of profitable
cultivation after lime has been added ID, -
in the largcrporton of the Atlantic slope the
leading straits and prevailing flora would indi-
cate the necessity for lime; and, wherever this
deficiency exists abundant observation aud OK
prriencc prove, that it must be supplied as the
basis OF permanent improvement and profitable
agriculture With the lights before us, we are
compelled to state the case alphabetically, and
To deduce conclusions from analogy. Science has
not yet dcneated these areas, and agriculture is
still miscd by isolated and conflicting expert
mrnts.
The members of this society have assumed
the high and noble position of public bcnefactors
They have commenced the laudable task of i'm
proving the agriculture of the State, developing
her resources, dlilusing scientific and practical
information with Nn energy that must command
the admiration and respect of every citizen. Let
me urge upon the society that the information
shall he founded upon correct geological maps
and accurate chemical analysis Our public inn
WoYements are penetrating the limestone forma-
tons III almost every direction, preparing to fur
njSh the supply, as soon as the farmer has learned
upon what soils lime may be proftably applied
lcannot more strongly illustrate the Importance
OF this branch of the subjeetth by some refer
cnce 10 the agricultural Chemistry Association
oi Scotland.-( Edinburgh Jour, Aug. ls15-47,
p POI &c) This association numbered near
one thousand members, composed of the most in
tclhgent farmers and many of the most distin-
gulshed men of science. Its chief object was
to afford farmers analyses ut a cheap rate-upon
the accuracy of which they could rely--of soils
manQres and other substances-to carry ON in
vcstgations bearing on the science and general
interests of agriculturc-and To difusc ntorma-
ton hus collected by public lectures, familiar
letters aud conversations. During the first two
years OF its existence near one thousand analyses
were made IN the laboratory seventy public lee
lures were delivered by professor Johnston, in
different districts of Scotland, to audiences com
posed chiefly of farmers. Many conversational
discussions were held, and many letters trans
mitted to different sections, accompanied by adj
wee OF n practical character, which the analyses
were fitted to suggest, or his own observation of
the agriculture of different districts rendered val
liable lle was aided in his laboratory by sever
al assistants, and in the field by many accurate
geological suryeys-the composition of the ma,ls
lines, manures, crops and soils was determined
10y anal sls-an intelligent body of farmers gave
their aid in accurate and well conducted expert
mcntsand their united efforts led to important re-
suits in the iudiciouS Improvement of their soils,
and IN the profitable returns of agriculture. They
have elevated agriculture into that position a
mongst the sciences, IN which rational conclusions
may be drawn from well conducted experiments
and such, trust will soon be the position which
the agriculture of our own State shall occupv,bv
means of the efforts of this Society.
knowledge of the origin and composition of
the soil. otthose inorganic substances which con
stItute the ashes of plants aud the composition
OF the various manureS are all important to sue
cess. But the organic elements of pants-oXy-
gen, hydrogen carbon and ntrogen-must, also,
clam attention. The sources from which plants
derive their oxygen and hydrogen are not ofprac-
teal value to the farmer, as they constitute wat
or, and as oxygen is supplied from 50 many sour
ces. Carbon and nitrogen are important elements
and the sources from which plants derive their
supply must be carefully considered.
The carbon constitutes nearly one half bv weight