The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-28

in state of combination, united TO another
elementary substance, in gaseous state.
diffused in small proportions through the
atmosphere. This gas, or air, bearing the
name of carbonic acid, is 50 far as the wants
and necessities of animals are concerned to
be regarded as an impurity in the substance
We breathe. If it exceeds certain proper
ton or limit, the air containing it becomes
positively noxious and deadly.
There is a science of agricultural chem
istry nov, and its teachings are of immense
value. | have, first of all, to state briefly
but distinctly what they are.
When vegetables are burnt they leave
quantity of ashes behind them. The pine
tree is almost an exception, for when we
burn it the quantity of the ashes procured
is iuconsidcrable With this fact its capa-
CITY of growing slowly indeed, but with
degree of vigor even upon the sand hills
that are barren for almost everything else,
has probably close cOnnexion. Fcgeta-
bic matter generally, leaves a considerable
quantity of ashes. Is this what Tull sup
SN'-A
mon earth, or have ashes peculiar consti-
tuition of their own, and one that is different
for each particular kind Of vegetable
growth, and does the matter contained in
these ashes play an important part in the
economy of every plant? THESE were the
questions to be settled, and the answers that
have been returned have a deep and impor-
tant signifcancy for the agricu!turist.-
With the truths they state, his mind should
be very thoroughly imbued they should
be perfectly familiar to him. There are
few chemical compounds that, as they
are always found in its ashes, appear to be
essential to the healthy and vigorous growth
of each plant, that if they are present
III suitable quantity in q soil. and there is
no other hindrance, that will be fertile soil
for the vegetable in question. These indiS-
pensable requisites of fertility are few i'll
number they are required by near
ly all, if not by all absolutely of the plants
we cultivate, though not by all in the same
proportion and in an equal degree. They
are potashes, or that substance in common
which communicates to it the property of
forming soap when boiled for some time
with an oil or with tallow; soda, which is
nearly related in its properties to potashes;
lime. magncsia, silica or the earth Of COM
mon white flint phosphoric acid, and sui
phuric ACID.
Now il is remarkable with regard to two
Al. l. IL
vegetation, (potashes and phosphoric acid)
that they are everywhere and nowhere. A
proof it is of the existence of a wise and
kind Intelligence that presided over the
creation of the earth and all that inhabit it,
and that he has ordered all things WE'LL
They are diffused in small quantity and
proportion through all soils, whilst there are
few if any extensive and rich mines Ofthem
from which they may be extracted and
strewed over the surface of our fields, so as
to create in them all fertility which is not
native and natural. Wherever there is one
of those blades of grass on which our do
mestic animals feed, or a stalk of wheat
which brings a single grain of seed to ma
turity, there are potaShes and phosphate of
lime in the soil.
North Carolina, at the time the white man
first made his appearance on the western
shore of the Atlantic and the Aboriginal
Indian was its only inhabitant, was coerved
all over, as it had been for ages, with con-
tinuous forest Not exactly such forest
as is now seen through those parts of the
county of Wake, for example, which have
not yet been cut down: the large trees were
more thinly scattered, presenting somewhat
the appearance of an orchard. This fea-
ture of the original landscape has not yet
been altogether Obliterated in some of the
extreme western counties. Tie large trees
throw out their roots in every direction in
search of the food, the moisture, and earth
ly salts especially, which were indispensa-
bic to their healthy and vigorous growth.
The tap root goes directly downwards, Civ
ing off its branches, and the small rootlets
penetrate sometimes to q depth of ten,
twelve and fifteen feet. They are in search
of potash. soda, lime, phosphoric acid, sui
phuric acid and few other things, which
they collect and carry up so as to be de-
posted in the trunk, limbs, and leaves
When these woody matters perish, whether
in the natural course of decay or by being
burnt upon the ground, the precious ele-
ments of fertility that have been extracted
from the sub-soit, and from that which lies
at a considerable depth, have been brought
up and incorporated with the vegetable it's
sue are liberated and mingled with the top
soil. They are likely to be dissolved again
to a certain Distance into the ground. but a
large part remains at or near the surface.
helping to constitute what we call the soil
The principle for which am contendng is
simply one that is we'll understood by many
persons, but not brought out with the dis
tinctness in which, from its Importance, it
merits to be placed. That the soil from
the course, and in consequence of the events
and changes by which it has been formed,
IL npoaSSnr;lv IN bo ol Of