The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1854-07-29
ANALYSIS OF SOILS.


Mr. 5. VI. johnson, who is now engaged
IN chemical investigations under Iichig AZ
Mu,i~h has an able and elaborate article on
this subject in the Gom.ry Gnl' maa. in
which he sums ny AS follows:
do not doubt that in very many cases
careful ir"rS'iy,ion of a chemical. phys
zeal anil Historically genuine ana scirn-
t!ic tlr,ner-onc, familiar at onrc with sci
cnce and rractlrc-w would afford safe and
nearly accurate 'la'a for is proper treatment.
But this would he always expensive, and in
nine cases ont q. ten. would not pay. .>o1
analysis at b.st is ch0nr" g1n'c, dad ,ya'r,
ene rims. a hm"i,,h nrr lose. 1t is the roya!
road to what the farmer SHOULD reach Ivy
study, and a profound understanding of nat"-
.al laws. nv this is meant that it is no rrac-
ti-able road. not one which should be often
trc,..lcn w t..c I.an of moderate means: al
though it may lc entered upon ~ t.c wealthy
and curious, who have no need to work III
of.lcr to eat. \ soil-ana'vsis is always inter
,,,in., often valuable. rarely economical 1t
may amr,e the amateur, and instruct The PHI
losopl,rr. hut for the farmer It's value is small
ii hc has to pay for it. It Is only by the ap
phi, alton OF the general principles which may
ir developed from numerous analyses, that
re- can hope to be directly benefited.
l,nt what shall the farmer do? Shall lie
rope in the dark No, But let him beware
uf false lights which are nowadays hancin"
ont in abundance. Let him beware of takin.
advice from two dangerous characters: IL,
concerted farmer who knows "A little science
and the oilicious philosopher who knows
LITTLE farming.
It is far more difficult to warn against ;
course that is unsafe, than to poiEt out ont
that will lead to desirable ends. Practc,
must accomplish many Of her ends in her owl
wav> for Il Ion. time to CONE. She shcul'
thank science for rcbukiny her errors, am
SHOULD reject them As they become manifest
She should accept the light that science she'd
upon her path, though the rays be those of
taper. Science >houlI carry herself modestly
BELTS her youth. and not talk too ,oudl
all occasions q; o'd-foaviSm rs; p!onrcs.
she should remember her i,iings. The 81.
ter Of 60 centuries. and she of tender year:
should JON har.!>, AMI walk harmonious!
together towards The fields OF promise that Ii
III the fruitful coming time.
How TO MAKE BARREN TREES Fruit
,rr.-PersoES unacquain:cd with the phys
o!ogy Of trees, wonder why takin. ring %
bark. from TIE limb OF Il tree t':at is barre!
will make it prolucc fruit. This is owing t
tie lhy>iolory Of the vegetable Kingdom
The sap of plants and trees, asccnls in spir'
sr->c!>. r1Ii.,iionly ca.lcd pores. forming i
lis ascent the uHan,.a II. or what We corll;nolll
ID! sap of the wood, immediately under til
bark. and '!rscenls in the outer bark 7
stop the sap from a>ccn,!in" from Ike roots
he branches. 1t Is necessary. then. to 2ir'll
'hrou..! the sap or white wool to Ike dar
vopl. or heart. To stop TIE sap from de>ccn,
... to the root, all that is necessary is to tax
ne baik oil. without injury to TIE albumer
or white wood
!he principle then Is, il YOU wish to kill
:,rc, "a, t!.rol.h the a.bumcn or white WOO
and stop the sap from Ascending to the branc
-. ii YOU wish to maxi. il produce fruit tax