Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-02-01

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MzKuREs.-We have a few words I
say on q subject which is generally I'D
nitse6 to be important, but which is to
little understood, to-wit, the absolut
necessity of sustaining soils subjecte
to tillage by the application of appro
pirate fertilizing agents. Every mate
rial, which added to the soil, tends +
fertalize it, is properly classed anon!
nanures. They are properly divides
into organic and inorganic; the first em
bracing animal and vegetable substance
which have an appreciable quantity o
nitrogen; the last such as are purely
mineral or earthly, and which contain
no-nitrogen. A modern writer asserted
that all fertile soils must have not les:
than fifteen, and more, probably sixteen
elementary substances in various com
binations. All the ordinary plants con
tain potash, soda, lime, naagnesia, olunai.
ma, silica, oride Of manganese, sulphuriC
acid, pAOsphOric acid, chlorine, and fire.
quently iodine, each of which, except
the last two, are In combination with
oxygen. In addition to these they
have also carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and
hydrogen. 1t is therefore obvious that
such elements as all fertile soils furnish
to plants must be contained in munures
1t is true that plants will grow in sand
and water; and some atmospheric plants
will exist in air; but full maturity can
probably never be attained without the
presence of every element which enters
into the composition of plants.
1t is then a matter of the highest
consequence to know what substances
may be most useful as manures, and
also how to apply them in the best man
ner. OF the inorganic manures, none
is more essential perhaps than Ashes.-
Although the quantity of ashes, in COM
parrison with the total weight of the
vegetable is small, yet in a few years
the soil will become exhausted OF the
principles necessary to sustain luxuriant
vegetation. Ashes are said to be to the
earthly part of vegetables, what milk is
to the animal system, or barn yard ma
nures to che entire crop. The question
Of the economy of the application of
ashes as a manure, is one that deserves
particular attention. They improve all
soils not already saturated with the prin-
ciples they contain. They are used
with decided advantage for potatoes,
turnips, and all roots, as well as for
peas, beans, grain, and all grasses
They may be drilled into the soil with
roots and grain, sown broadcast on
meadows or pastures, or mixed with
the mulk heap.
The ashes of bituminous and anthra-
cite coal have been regarded by some
worthless, but though inferior in quality
to those made from wood and vegeta-
bies, they are valued as a manure, and
may be used in the same manner. If
they contain many cinders, they are
better suited to heavy than light soils.
Lime, next to ashes, either as car
Donate or sulphate, is useful in the
Improvement of the soil, and like ashes
may be applied advantageously to every
soil not. already charged with it sufi-
GENTLY. Says the editor of the Ameri-
can Agricultwist at makes heavy
land lighter. and light land heavier; it
gives adhesiveness to creeping sands or
leachy gravel, and comparative open
ness and porosity to tenacious clays;-
and it has permanently beneficial eff
feet where generally used in disinfecting
the atmosphere of any noxious vapors
existing in it. 1t not only condenses
and retains the volatile gasses brought
into contact with it by the air and rains,
but it has the further effect of covering
the insoluble matters in the soil, into
available food for plants. 1t has proved
in many instances the wand of Midas,
changing everything it touched into
gold."