Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-06-14
THE VALUE OF COAL ASHES.

nH AhOI IA Va OOAh hOliHOs
Coal ashes is as a general thing thrown
away and thought nuisance. But after
some experience ] am inclined to take a
different view of the matter.
1t may be and undoubtedly is the case
that they are less valuable than those de-
rived from wood. The ash Of coal contains
gypsum, lime and phosphorie acid, but its
main bulk is composed of insoluble silica,
/ have found coal ashes to be very useful
in the peach orchard in the fall they
should be spread around the root of the
tree atthe rate of a good. sized wheelbarrow
load to each tree, and spread some five
inches thick at the trunk, and sloping off
gradually all around the ashes should be
allowed to remain in this position until the
tree is out in blossom, when it should be
spread over the orchard. l consider that
/ have derived much benefit from this plan,
and would account for it in the following
manner. We all know by experience that
q large pile of coal ashes will retain the
frost much later than common soil l. the
ashes at the trunk of the tree Gas l have
proven by oxperiment,) retains the frost
later in the spring and prevents the trees
from coming out in bloom too soon, An
other good effect is that ashes thus applied
will keep off the peach worm, which is often
SO destructive to the trees. Besides these
mechanical advantages, coal ashes contains
substances which are beneficial to vegeta.
tion of all kinds. Last winter kept
portion of coal ashes under shelter until
the ground was well frozen, when it was
spread as before; if the effect was thereby
changed will report at the proper season.
This system will apply as we'll to other
fruits as to the peach. Ihave tried it with
the same success on apple, pear and cherry
treess.
One ofmy neighbors has for many years
applied coal ashessto his potato patch as a
preventive of rot, and has not since been
troubled with rotten potatoes. He retains
the same piece of ground several years in
succession, and applies coal ashes in large
quantities each year. AGRIcoLA.
Es@.mxaz.nna.zn
CALLS ON HORSES. the heat and
labor of the season increases, horses will
suffer from various flesh wounds, which if
not Immediately cured, will cause great
suffering to the horse, and waste of time
and temper to the owner. Let, therefore
hint or two from the .anaegScan .agracul-
tuyiSt be now needed:
"Prevention is better than cure. In
the first place, be sure that your harnass
is in perfect working order See to it
especially that the collar fits we'll, and is
smooth. If the inner surface is rough, it
must chafe, and soon wear off the skim
A loose layer of leather under the collar
is good contrivance to lessen friction
uponsthe animals neck and shoulders.-
While spring work is pressing let the hor-
se's shoulders be washed every morning
with solution of alum and whisky. AT
night, when coming home from work
sweaty and sore, let tht shoulders be wash,
ed with tepid water, then rubbed dry. II
then gals occur on the breast or back,
wash them clean, then apply an ointment
made by mixing together a spoonful of
pulverized alum and the white of an egg.