The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-03
FACTS FOR FARMERS.


The following remarks upon this subject are
furnished BY a correspondent oil the Sas'nA"
Valley Reps6lie"" .,.;
Vegetable growth must conform 70 the cneIn',
90, =. inn Of III. coil, air and water, stimulated
=. 10, oner.tiug in concert with each other 30
90 ,,.3,c, a certain compound required AMI
.,,,.cs-d by the plant, which 10 taken into its o:
,.aix.rion and forms its massive structure, It's
fall development depending entirely upon the
saoply of ingredients congenial to its particular
nature: which frequently accounts Tor the 1Aii
urs OF . crop where the character OF the soil IL
considered vrry prolific. There may be single
aub,tAuce found wan,ing in the soil, and greatly
re,ard or defeat the maturity Of the crop,
often occurs
AIkalles, acids, lime, salt, nitre, soda, sugar
AMMONIA &c are among the constituents OF the
soil. and some varieties Of vegetation require =
.ortion of the whole while others flourish well
With only part and this is why experiments in
agricultural pursuits often prove 30 very bench
cjsl 10 a country; what is found wanting in the
s,il To produce the earliest and most abundant
Weld naturally, may be supplied arti6cally TO a
perfect success Besides a general variation OF
management 10y way of experiment often turns
out to reclaim the fertility Oi exhausted soil, and
make il eniaently productive, and IN this way
Incidentally ADOPT an improved system OF farm
ing which renders the occupation more interest
ing and lucrative. Common salt is a muriate oil
coda, or in other ia a chloride OF sodium, and
can be converted into no other substance except
soda ash or soda ia some subordinate form, which
requires the action Of suIphuric acid with Intense
heat, and it Consequently uadergoes no change
except u liquid state, in which it minglss with
the earthly Clements, aud produces warmth and
~-s;o> eh ,pii which tanis IN aaaiat the vital
ity Of vegetation in many instances TO q great
sxtent, besides it enters largely into the consti
tusiop Of certain kinds Of plants and perfecti
their dsvelopement to degree. that it becomes
perceptibe 70 the taste in the juice OF the plant
Salt possesses an active warming nature, and
10 often used TO prevent frost, and for melting
ice in cold weather, and to what extent its utility
nay b realized .. . fertilizer can only be known
% thoss Who are willing 10 ferrit out the problem
By actual observation.
Il should not he used too freely, nor in such {
manner q to violate or interfere with the laws
that govern the growth Of plants; still, wheL
once acquainted With the proper treatment, there
10 no danger Of spoil
The State Of Michigan is destined TO abound
In the manufacture OF ssit, aud her Inhabitants
should be 6rst to entite themselves to the entire
range Of the benefits.
A an example in the growth Of vegetation
the cabbage furnishes the most conclusive dem
onstratiois Of the utility Of salt. Of any plan
accessible to the general masses of the people
IL 10 BY nature q sea plant. and said to have
had its origin in grounds saturated with sea va
ter and aourishes best with q large amount O
salt, not only about its roots. but in the head, IA
Il is forming.
A teaspoonful Of salt thrown into the centre
before the head closes over, aids very much il
the formation and should be two or three time.
repeated in rainy weather.
Sweet corn natures some eight days earlier fo
having distributed salt midway between the row
after the second hoeing, about a pound to tn,
lenient rod, though not within twelve inches o
the stalk.
Rheubarb exhibits not only preceptible diff
ference in its growth, but also in its flavor, whcl
appears decidedly a. if it had been seasoned 70
use.
Potatoes, onions and beets appear to presen
no perceptiole difference from the effect Of salt
except to destroy many weeds and insects will
which it comes in contact.
Straw berries are also very much improved b,
vetsing the ground we'll in preparing it for th
plants.