Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-10-22


senoe capnot speak with pefiact cod dence, am
of The opinion that not only 70 the Germans in gem
ssl bnS q Spriugel in particular the rger part 81
tho credit con1cted With the more recent discover
les in this dsld Of science and with the new views
that are taken, is due. Another prodgious stride,
and one @ great importance, has unquestionably
been made, and its importance depends upon the
fact that It Is in the right direction. We placed
by it in condition not only to correct our own the
cries. but also to fmproce our practice There is
science of agricultural chemistry now and its teach
ings are Of immense value. I 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 inconsderable With this fact its
capacity of growing slowly indeed, but with de-
gree of vigor even upon the sand hills that are bar
rem for almost everything else has probably close
connection. Vegetable matter generally, leaves
considerable quantity of ashes. Is this what Tull
supposed merely some fine particles of common
earth, or have ashes peculiar constitution of their
own, and one that is different for each particular
kind of vegetable growth, and does the matter con-
tanned in these ashes play important part in the
economy of every plants These were the questions
to be settled, and the answers that have been re-
turned have deep and important signi6cancy for
the agriculturist. 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 so that
if they are present in suitable quantity in SOIL and
there is no other hindrance, that will be fertile
soil for the vegetable in question: These indispen.
sable requisites of fertility few in number; they
are required by nearly 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 a soap
SOYnn tSr,oo with oil Al
low soda, which is nearly related in its properties
to potashes; lime, magnesia, silica or the earth of
acid.
Now it is remarkable with regard to two of these
substances SO indispensable to vegetation (poashes
and phosphorc acid) that they are everywhere and
nowhere; proof it is of the existence of wise
and kind intelligence that presided over the creation
Of the earth and all that inhabt it, and that he has
ordered all things WELL They are dffnsed in small
quantity and proportion through all soils, whilst
there are few if any extensive and rich mines of
them from which they may be extracted and strew.
ca over the surface of our fields 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 domestic animals feed, or stalk of wheat
which brings single grain of seed to maturity,
there are potashes and phosphate of lime in the
soil. The quantity especially of the last named SUBJ
stance may be very inconsiderable small that the
analytical chemist who has parcel of that soil un
der examination, will with difficulty if at ALL be
able to separate and weigh it. The entry in his note
book may be-phosphoric acid-a trace, whilst
from stalk of wheat we obtain a statement con-
sderably different There is certainly no superflu-
ity OF phosphorc acid, the wheat stalk would say,
in that soil, yet found enough to meet my imme-
date necessities, as if you burn me, STEM blade and
grain, and proceed to analyze my ashes, you will
readily discover.
The fact that these few substances are always
found in the ashes of vegetables, seems to furnish
decisive proof that they play important part in
the economy of the plant, and essential to it.
they also are, the greater part of them to animals of
different races and kinds Of the particular Of
each, and what changes are accomplished through
its agency, we are wholly ignorant. 1t is one ofthe
secrets of the Deity, from which he may never
permit human hand to lift the veil; but in the
mean time we shall do wisely in applying for our
own advantage the knowledge we have already &C.
quired recaptuate, therefore, the facts to which
more.
Potassa or potashes as they commonly cali it in
the market and phosphate of lime, are found to be
contained in the ashes of all nearly all the vege.
tables we are in the practice of cuvating in this
country, from which infer that If not absolutely
indispensable, they very important and useful to
the plant, and when they present in considers
bic quantity in the soil, promote very greatly its
fertility. This is not speculation and theory,
but it has been fully established by experiment.
rlcIuS tuat were utterly barren, ana IN the SOIL Oh
which no phosphate of lime could be detected on
receiving generous application Of that substance,
have yielded abundant crops. These two precious
substances exist in small quantity in the soil of
North Carolina, and in every part of it. in the east
and the west, in every county. on every plantation,
on the surface and at all depths. But here shall
perhaps be met with an objection. Of what use is
your chemistry after allr You tell that you have
found out that these substances are absolutely ne
cessary, indispensable to plants-that they are eve
rywhere and nowhere-every where in small guam
tities-wbilst there few If any extensive and
rich mines Of them. Of what advantage, then, can
it be to US to be advised of the important part they
play in the vegetable world. Your information is
just about valuable as would be that of the ply
stefan, who, coming to the bedside of patient
should tell him, that he knew what was the matter
with him, understood his disease perfectly WE'LL and
could relieve him with ease, If he could only furnish
himself with the appropriate remedies-but unfor-
tunately these were ut present, nowhere to be OBJ
tanned. just SO you tell us that soils are, or
may become diseased-that you know what medi.
cine must be applied to restore them to sound and
perfect health but are silent about the places where
or the methods by which, they are to be procured.
It is not to be denied that there is some show of
reason in these objections. But they may be met
far the claims of chemistry, and the question
respecting the benefits conferred by her upon
agriculture are concerned by certain counter state
ments If We cannot accomplish all that might be
desired, we can do something. We can suggest the
erection of bone mill in each county to make
the best and most economical use that is possible of
the small! amount Of phosphate of lime we have al
ready at our command-we can recommend the
most careful search amongst the shell mestones of
the low country for masses containing an available
per centage of this precious substance And final
ly we warn fellow.citizens of the danger of
permitting whatever stock have of these
constituents Of rich SOIL to run to neglect and
waste. think I can satisfy any one who will
follow fair and honest argument to it's legiti.