Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-01-14

Phosphoric acid .76
Suphuric acid .2S
Chlorine OF
Loss 20
10000
Mr. HOLDEN: In late number of the STANDARD !"
L noticed the above analyses of soil and mari which
said to have been made by Prof Hedrick, who
has lately received the appointment of Professor of
Agricultural and Analytical Chemistry in the, Uni
versity. have often wondered that such Profess
sorship has not been established there before but
suppo that it ight be said that this instance
of neglect should not be singled out from multi
tude of others matter of aStonSh1nent, when it
is rccoected that State has Justly been styled
the Rip Van Wrinkle of the Union Of the applica-
ton of science to agriculture have been long
yinced not only from the strong reasoning which it
carries with it, but from the many practical ustra
tons which have witnessed
Personally, L know nothing of Prof. Hedrck, but
must conclude that he is gentleman of good private
character he would not have received the position
at the hands of the Trustees which he LOW holds
But do say that if the two above analyses to
be taken critcrions of his qualifications that he
is unqualified and do not ask the public to take my
word for it, but hear my reasons for making the
statement. The fact of these analyses being placed
before the public, would justify the conclusion that
they specimens of what the future analyses will
be which may be made by the gentleman. That all
experiments in the various branches of science which
made public open to criticism cannot be de-
MED and that is the duty of every friend of science
to put to flight come whence it may. 1t is with
these convictions that undertake to satisfy every
unprecedented that the analyses alluded to are en-
trely Incorrect and are not calculated to advance
the farming interest of the State, which understand
was the object in view when it proposed to es-
tablish this connection with the University By re-
ference to the analysis of Mr. Silers SOIL ii will be
seen that it is not classified at all there is from the
analysis, telling whether it is a clay, sandy or
loamy soil. The amount taken for experiment
is not as much it shonld have been by three
fourths for the that by having four hundred
instead of one hundred grains for experiment. the |
smaller elements could have been reduced the pro-
per per cent In estimating the clements, AIumina |
and Silica, (sand and clay) there is no separation
made of the two, which should have been done, by |
which means the soil could easily have been cassed.
The amount of phosphoric acid is estimated to be |
o3, (three one hundreths of grain,) which con-
tend is smaller quantity than any means for weigh
ing which i'll existence can detect. There isa.so
a trace of magnesia noted and in the estimate mark
ed nothing, what is the of this | cannot see. |
In calculating the loss sustained in carrying one
hundred grains of common earth through the vari-
Gus processes requisite for the completion Of an
analysis it is here reported So (thirty-siX hun
dredths of grain) which is smaller quantity than
it is at all reasonable would be lost Only think of
the different times that evaporation filtration ande-
cantation practced by which the soil is often
changed from one vessel to another This ought to
satisfy any of the mpossbility of its being ac-
with little loss is here reported.
Let any farmer in State, with perhaps few ex-
ceptions take this analysis of the soil from the farm
of Mr.. Siler and am sure he would not know any
looking at it than before to say nothing of his
of where he could get the fertilisers at
such cost as to justify their application. tsecms
to me about equal to physician sitting down and
writing in medical technics prescription for MEM
Der of farmers family, and telling him to go to his
office and get the constituents The duty of an Ag
ricult1ral Chemist in North Carolina at present,
must it seems to me, go farther than laying before
farmers simple analysis of their soils he must
go and tell them where they to get the materi
ais to supply the wanting elements, and also what
will correct such present, and inflict niu
~ upon their crops. assure the farmers of North
Carolina that it requires something for Chemist to
at present besides originating specuations and
lypotheses in the Laboratory; he must have some
practical experience in field experiments. | shall,
or the present. not speak of the analysis of mari
made from the farm of Mr.. Griswod; but that it is
am prepared to prove, and will do so if
occasion requires. L have, as most people in the
State know, been battling in defence of agricultural
science for some time past, and before undertook
% set myself up as teacher in it, applied myself
closely for four years or more in gaining knowl-
edge of the theory well as the practice of good
arming and still cling to the position with which
first started out to put error to flight come whence
may SO that this is my apology for troubling the
oulic at this time. j. F. TOMPKINS.'
EcLIrsEs THE YEAR. In the year 1854 there
will be two Eclipses of the Sun and two of the Moon
1. The Moon will be partially cclpsed on the 10Th
INVISIBLE to US.
2. There will be an annuar eclipse of the Sun on
he Goth May, visible as follows:
Beginning at 4h. 10 M. greatest observation 4h.
Sc m. end, Oh. Sam, p. m.
Eclipse begins 147 degrees, 50 minutes, from vor-
eX to the right
Digts, eclipsed 101 on the Northern Limb
The line of central and annular eclipse passes
through portion of the Northern portion Of the
Northern part Of the United States and Southern
,art of British America
This will the largest eclipse visible in the United
States until the year 1900, when the Sun will be to
alp eclpsed, the centre passing near Washington
8. A partial eclipse of the Moon, will the
tn of November, at All lin. p. M, invisible The
doom will rise with light shade on its Northern
imb.
A. The Sun will be totally eclipsed the Goth of
November, the middle occurring at oh Am, a. m,
INVISIBLE. The eclipse viii be central and total in
he Southern part of Africa, South America, and
he Southern Ocean.
Done BRowN. The Duke of Argyle, as we gather
rom Scotch paper, dresses in Brown clothes; rides
n Brown Carriage, drawn by two brown horses;
nd everything in his house at Inverary is brown,
rom the paper on the walls to the chair covers and
rood scuttles. We presume, then, that his grace,
chg studous man. will often be in ga brown study.