The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-11-20
Soils-.Their Constituents.

The soil, drilt or diluyian that covers the
entire globe, is the result Of the disintegra-
ton and pulverizltion Of the rocks, and was
distributed by or deposited from water,
which once covered the whole surface for an
immense period OF time,
There is no, so radical difference in the
composition OF soils Us many imagine. Three
simple ma,erials-sand, (silex,) clay and
lime, compose more than nine-tenths Of the
entire earthly matter, which, il evenly dis
tributcd over the globe, would not form a
covering more than three feet thick, on the
solid rock composing this planet. Neither
is there so great difference in its producing
qualities as the analytic chemists would
have us believe. The soil, in fact, has but
little agency in furnishing material for the
growth and construction Of the vegetable
fibre. 1t, to be sure, furnishes some pot
ash, silex, lime, and trace of few other
earthly matters, as alimentary food; but
its great use is Us material for sustaining
the plant in an upright position, retaining
moisture and causing the decay and decom-
position Of vegetable matter which Greats
gases for the use Of plants.
In some soils clay prevails, ani in other
sand, and il is very doubtful whether diif.
crencc can be detected in the component
parts Of fruit or grain grown in pure sand,
pure clay, or black muck. Tho grand re-
quircment Of all soils to make them prOduc-
tive in porosity, whereby water and air eau
penetrate freely, and proper quantity oI
decayed vegetable matter, known to the
chemist AZ humus.
The system of special maHHres for partic-
ular crops, isprObably humbug of trade,
and It Is very doubtful whether more than
three or four of the inorganic nanurcs are
worth the trouble of denunciatiOn. Most
of the saline compounds arc in the same
bat. They are of such easy soluLility,
that the first rain puts them horse de combat
beyond the reach ofthe roots Of the plant
There is no soil, even pulverized gl'ss, hut
what. with sufficient addition of vegetable
manure, and at proper age and state OF
decomposition, will produce yegeta,ion.-
Water, in proper quantities, Is the great
secret of vegetable growth. 1t is the sol
vent and the vehicle Of transportation Of the
entire contribution of the soil. Us is eyiden.
ced by the tremendous crops raised by irri-
gaticn-elchty.lour bushels of wheat being
the ayense, on u ten acre field, produced
last year in California by this process.
All plants are supposed to derive one half
Of their subsistence from the atmosphere
There are several that will grow, increase
and blossom hung upon nail in the house.
The popularity Of one region to be adapted
to wheat. another to corn, and another to
the peach, &C., is probably more reierable
to climate than to soil. From all which,
We infer that very little benefit is derived
from the chemical analysis Of soils at any
rate We have never observed any. Every
farmer knows that heavy plastic clay is
improved by a mixture ofand, and leachy
porous sand by clay.
Manure your land highly with everything
vegetable and animal, with the addition OF
plaster and ashes, and If not the analysis, it
will prove the syHihesis Of good SOIL
Rural Nee Yorker.