Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-08-23

THE SOIL OF A DEODORIZER.

The earth is the grand deodorizer provided
by nature. All the eAiuvia arising from de-
caying Vegetable and animal matter, is rem
dered impereeptbe when absorbed by the
soil. The various gases arising from such
substances are imbbed by the soil, and COM
bined chemically with the elementary bodies
of which it is composed. New compounds
are thus formed, and become in their turn, the
food of plants. The earth is the great store
house into which the salts that have entered
into the composition of Vegetable and animal
bodies, will ultimately return. and are kept
for future use. Different soils possess the
power of decoration in very different degrees.
Sand possesses it in the lowest degree. IF
quantity Of putrid urine or DRAWINGS from
manure heap, is filtered through sand, it will
come off limpid indeed, but retaining its color
and smell, thus showing but slight affinity
between the sand and the gaseous matter in
the liquid. Now if with the sand you mix
quantity of fine clay and pass the liquid
through the mixture, it will come off nearly
coloress, and free from smell. The salts and
gases contained in it, have combined with the
clay and are retained by it, and no longer
give off the peculiar odor that previously arose
from them. When such substances are buried
in good loan, the same effect follows, provi-
ded the loan is brought into close contact
with them. The carcass of an animal buried
in good soil, soon looses all offensive smell.
The gases that are thrown off from it com.
bine with the soil, and form new compounds.
Dry peat possess this power of dedorization
in higher degree than any other kind of soil.
1t is astonishing with what rapidity it will
destroy all offensive odors arising from putrid
bodies. night soil, or other offensive matters.
Its power of retaining them is equal to its
power of absorbing and decomposipg them.
When perfectly dry, its power is much greater
than when it contains considerable quantity
Of water. Hence when it is to be used for
the purpose OF neutralizing disagreeable odors,
it should be rendered as dry as possible. 1t
has been used for this purpose in sick rooms,
and outhouses, and cess pools, and in places
where filth is apt to accumulate in cities and
towns, and is found to be of great value. A
short time ago quite trade was got up in
this article. 1t was dried and ground, and
packed in barrels, and shipped from Maine to
Boston, and advertised as a universal and ef-
Iectual dedorizer, and so long as its origin
was kept secret, the trade continued
But people like to pay for the unknown
and the mysterious. AS soon as it became
known that there was an abundance of the
article to be had all around us, Its market
value rapidly diminished. Now it is none
the less valuable for being cheap and abun.
dant. Every householder in the country, and
especially every farmer, should provide an
abundant supply, to be used upon the APP
proach of warm weather, about his barn cellar,
his piggery, privy and sink. Its free use in
all such places will not only absorb all disa-
greeable effluvia arising from them, and keep
them sweet and wholesome, and prevent their
becoming sources of disease, but will absorb
and retain a large quantity of tertalizing
elements that would otherwise be dissipated
and lost. Peat consists largely of carbona.
, ceous matter, and contains much carbonc and
fannie acid and all these substances have a
strong affinity for ammonia which is given of
abundantly from all such places, as are above
referred to. This is rendered solid and fixed
in the peat, and thus one of the most valua.
BILE fertilizers is stored up for future use. By
a little pains, and slight expense, large
quantity of the most valuable manure NAV
thus be prepared, which will many times re.
pay the actual cost. But if no MANURE were
thus provided, and no benefit resulted from
its use but the removal of offensive odors aud
the promotion of comfort and health, this
would amply repay the cost and labor. Blu,
as money health and comfort all result from
its use, we hope every farmer will provide a,
such season of the year as the water is lowest
in the meadows, good heap of meadow mud
or peat, and expose it to the action of the
frost the ensuing winter, and in the spring
spread and dry it, and deposit it in some con
venient place, where it may be at all time.
ready for use-and then use it seasonaby anc
freely .r. .... u, n