Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-06-01
Plaster as a Manure.

Plaster as a Manure.
That plaster is cheap, powerful
and profitable fertilizer, on soils
where clay predominates, has been
abundanily and satisfactorily ascer-
tanned by that best Of oil tests,
experience. 1t should, however,
never be forgotten, that plaster must
be thoroughly pulverized, and redu-
ced in grinding TO a fine powder,
with no sand or grit TO be found by
passing it through the fingers. We
are told by an experienced and sem
sible farmer in this county, that now,
and for year or two past, II has
been extremely difficult TO obtain
plaster sufficiently well ground, OF
reduced to a fine -four, 10 make il
an object TO use il. Plaster that is
reduced merely TO sand is OF little or
no value; reduced to fine powder,
it is extremely valuable, and produces
immediate and good results. We
hope the manufactures of the article
in this county will consult their own
interest and that Of the farmers, by
furnishing superior article of toetl
ground plaster. There are many
reasons why they should do So
Plaster will in time be dissolved 10
some two thousand times It's weight
Of water but if in that state in what
time, if ever, il will receive the
requisite quantity Of water, in such
condition and at such temperature as
will dissolve il, | leave it 10 your
readers TO conjecture. One thing is
certain, that il is of no value unless
dissolved, since il is supposed that
its utility arises IN q great measure
from its uniting with and absorption
of ammonia fiom snow and rain
This II is evident il can not do while
ii remains in the form of sand. II
however the article is perfectly
floured--is ground so fine that it has
rich oily feeling and no grit can be
perceived between the fingers, it is
perfectly obvious to any one who will
observe and reflect, that it is far
better adapted for immediate and
powerful effect"
" Plaster may be sown to advan-
tage on meadows in the fall, where
it is not liable TO be washed away
II then combines with the ammonia
in the SHOWS and abundant rains of
winter and spring. If not sown in
the fall or winter, it is well 10 SOW it
upon light snow if possible in the
spring"
"On pastures it is also well to
sow early, because of the more fire.
quent rains Of the spring. Some far
mers, however, whose pastures are
abundant in the spring, and early
summer, reserve their plaster until
near the close Of summer, in order TO
induce fresh growth Tor fall feed
Many also, who have tried sowing
early in the spring, and also in the
fall, think that they derive more
advantage in that way, than from
sowing an equal quantity at one
time"
From series of experiments in
my garden, says Mr.. Charles Robin
son, one of the best informed farmer,
in Connecticut, last season, will
plaster saturated with urine, | an
satisfied that great accession of the
most powerful manure may be made
to the farmers stock, by slrewng
plaster in stables and elsewhere, Sc
as TO absorb all the urine. In thi.
way, if his manure when thrown from
his stable is protected from the rain,
even by shed only, he may obtain
great amount, lille if any inferior
10 the boosted poudretie which sell.
at two dollars the barrel
~ wish it to be distinctly under.
stood, that when | recommend Plas-
ter of Paris, and speak Of its effects,
! refer only TO that which is ground
as fine as the finest flour. No other,
as | view it, is worth the trouble of
putting on 10 the land"
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Pom the National IntslgoneeL