, 1861-09-27

By comparing the results Of analysis Of the
same tree made in the spring and fau, it viii
be found that the older the leaf is the greater
Will be the amount of mineral matters con.
tanned in it. It will also be found that the
folisge Of trees contains more mineral matter
than the solid wood Of the trunk.
In the matured foliage Of the elm U7mus
A,nericaad,) upwards Of II per cent. of earthly
uatter-ashes- be found, while the solid
wood contains less than 2 per cent. the
leaves Of the willow more than Per cent,
while the wood has only 044; those Of the
beech, GG7, the wood only 0.35 those Of the
Enropeen oak, 406, the wood only p those
Of the pitch pine, s.13, the 1ood only o27 per
cent.
These facts demonstrate, conc1usively, that
The application Of leaves as manure must be
succeeded By advantageous results. Every
leaf applied in this way restores to the soil
something Of which It has, IN the process Of
vegetation, been deprived. In this way the
mine1al ingredients Of the soil are forced
through certain routine, and constant cir
cn)ation OF reciprocity of action, is kept up be-
tween the soil and the vegetable beings it sup
ports and perfectB.
Entering the sap in solution through the
mouths or epougio1es Of the terminal rootlets,
they circulate through the system, and are
ultimately deposited in the substance Of the
leaf, which, in due course Of time, falls to the
Earth, and By its decay restores them once
more to the soil, and in 4 condition the most
favorable fer again travelling the circuit in
The soils Of our forests, it is well known,
Lever 1un out, or are SO far deprecated as not
10 be able to supply abundant aliment to the
gigantic vegetation they a1e found to support.
The reason Of this Is Obvious. They annually
receive back the greatest portion OF tho min
eral constituents Of the trees, together with
10 incopsiderablc quantity Of organized mat
ter, derived from the atmosphere
We're the leaves to be removed every autumn
from the forest lands, the same as grain, grass,
ard root crops are removed from arabic soila,
the einpoverlshment consequent upon such q
course would be no less obvious in the one
casethan in the other they would s'run out''-
the vegetation NC. I'D be weak and sickiy, and
to support it, We should be under the necessity
Of applying, annually, large and increasing
quantities Of manure.
Leaves unquest1onably afford rich material
| for manure, land no farmer who has o wood.lo,
| in the vicinity Of his farm should neglect tc
| accumulate large quantities, to he used as Lit
ter 1or his animals during winter, or as coat
ing for his yards and other enclosures whert
animals are confined, and There the Leaves
| will be in . sltuation readily to absorb TIL
[ liquid Weddings, and thus be reduced NOR
speedily to the condition Of aliment for grow
| ing crops. No compost heap should be form
| ed without them where they can be obtained
and compost made exclusively Of them AMI
other decomposabie vegetable matters, will II
found Eot only an economical, but ef1lcien
sid Of fertility On any and every soil.
PLANT roTT1Sa.
To grpw planta in pots is no mean criterion
Of The cultfvator's skill. At the exhibition
of our leading horticultural societies, fin
specimens Of plant culture are broaght fol
ward, but In ordinary practice, well nanagel
plants are the exception rather thsn the rule
The soil for pott1ng is an important matter il
this connection. What is termed turfy.loam
is The basis Of all composts for growing plants
Turfy loan Is a soil formed Of deceampose
tnryes that have been procured from an oil
pasture field; these tuIVes should be thro IT
into heap and Eateted with water In Whic
6 portion Of potash has been dissolved,
rapid decay Of the fibre is important. It
; net M desirable to reduce the vegetation to th
list degree Of decomposition the fhs1y ma
t%r Winch 1t contains IL the mafn element {
growth; 90 that active vegetation In th
: tor USE
In selecting these turves, preference shoul
yesIs been undisturbed; the grass roots vi
have formed thick mat Of Vegetable matte
three OF four inches In thickness:
ehon:o not oe cut deeper, and if it will bea
to be tnro"n about without breaking, it vi
ey1qenee q substance equal to the famed p:s
Of European gardens. These turves are Talt
able just IN proportion to Tie amount
fibrous matter they contain. and for ali pu
poses OF plant growing are superior to q.
combination Of solls and manures that can
fo1med- Its open and porous character re-
. de7s it capable of producing a we'll a. ah.oT
ing a great amount Of plant food. Wiz
pores retaining much MOI -sturo in suspensio
= feesens the fepetitions Of the watering not a,
I TIE nu.rtcsoaa e1ements: arc not 1eac6sd OH i
5 / constALt Watering. It is now we'll known th
IN tu1fy soil suca NJ the above, Ill kinds