Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1855-12-08

other fibrous matter, though naturally |
hard and stiff, becomes mellow, soft and
free, and obviously is in state of fermen-
tation. This may be accounted for ON
the principle that putrefaction, or solu-
ton of vegetable substances in the soil,
is more readily promoted by close or
stagnated state of the air, than by aeon
slant supply and addition of oxygen from
pure atmosphere; or, in other words,
that such covering will prevent the ex-
cessive exhalation of moisture, nitrogen,
hydrogen, and carbonic acid gases which
accumulate and thereby promote the pu-
trefaction or decomposition of vegetable
matters, and thus enrich the soil
Its upon this principle, that the new
and peculiar kind of manuring, called
Guraeyism depends, which is stated to
have been employed with signal success,
by Mr.. Quincy, a farmer of East Corn
wall, in England, some years SINCE
The operation consists in covering grass
lands with long straw, coarse hay, or
other fibrous matter, which is allowed to
remain upon the ground until the grass
springs through it to the desired height,
and then raking it off and spreading it on
another portion of the field, the operation
being repeated as long as the straw or
hay remains sufficiently entire to be con-
vcnicntly applied. 1t is upon the same
principle, too, that orchards and fruit
trees are rendered more productive by
mulchiag with straw or refuse hay around
their trunks and over the roots; and from
this, and other causes, the quality of n
poor, thin unproductive soil, which has
been for some time shaden by brush
wood or dense forest, is materially inn
,, proved In forest, however, all other
vegetation being prevented, the land be-
sides receives a yearly manuring fvege-
table mould from the fallen leaves, is
caused to be many years in uninter-
ruptcd fallow; and is sheltered, also, from
the beating of rain drops, which slowly
,, and gently descended upon it, fraught
with principles of fertility, instead o.
washing out the valuable saline matter j
may contain Beneath the overshadow
ing branches Of forest, too, the soil il
a also protected from the wind, and to thil
; protection, Springcl attributes much o
that rapid improvement so generally ex
!. perienced where lands are covered witt
a wood The winds carry along with then
+ earthly matter, which they again deposi
$ in the still forest, and thus gradual,
I form soil even in places where it is TIN
. most bnre.
{ independent OF the ahsye considera
: tons, sl,uac is necessary for al piantr j,
: their infancy, when theyare diseased, o
: when they have suffered violence by re
: moval Seeds terminate best in obscu
" rity and young plants thrive better whel
J shaded for few days after they are up
The clouds often furnish such shade; bu
h art may use means to give it to them
J. Seeds that are necessary to be sown o.
z the surface, or with little earth owe
r them, also grow best if shaded for
W time. Shade, too, is necessary for sue
p plants as it is desirable to prolong thei
It freshness and towering; and it is equal
h important, and almost Indispensable, I
a all cuttings, Or slips, in order that the,
n may root well. But plants in the ligl
II purify the air by absorbing carbonic aci
a and disengaging their oxygen, and {
n night they corrupt the air by suferin
d carbonic acid to escape without being dc
I. composed. ID. j. u.