The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-01-23
agricultural.
Atmospheric Influences upon Soils and
plants.

The essential elements OF vegetable produc
tivcness are earth, air and trdter. II we car
place the first Vt these. the earth, In proper
condition, the other two will follow as natu'
raj sequence. That Is, when the soil itself Is ir
favorable condition to receive atmospheric IN.
fuences, it will require, and be greatly bene'
fitted by them, without further agency on oui
mart. For instance: IL field Is thoroughly
drained, and then plowed and pulyerized as Is
usually done where good crop of grain Is OBJ
tanned, that field tciH constantly reeeipe ferti.
Rising influences that . field undrained viil
not receive, although just as well plowcd and
pulverised.
When shower tails upon the drained field
through the whole earth to the bottom Of the
bitches. II does not rest upon the surface, nor
meet with considerable obstruction on It's way
to the lowest point OF drainage. The withdrawal
Of cold, stagnant water has permitted the air
to enter the soil, taking heat along with II, 80
that IL has actually become t1armed and dried
to a certain extent, and has caused II to occupy
less space than II did before 1t was drained.-
The evidence Of this may be seen In innumera-
BILE cracks, or crevices. which may DO found on
examination to exist through the whole mass
OF earth from the surface to the bottom of the
drains, even though they 70 down four or FIVE
feet. This Is the first effect OF drainage, and J:
the prime operation, on our part, to make the
land ready for the reception OF atmospheric
influences!
Now the feld Is ready for the shower, or the
dews that are distilled upon its surface, or up
on the herbage that covers 1t. Rain water II
charged-in greater or less degree-with salt.
as well as moisture, that act an important part
in the growth Of plants. These, finding little
obstruction. descend freely among the particles
II Ill lN,at linn n
here, starting II into the Preventative process
so that II shall be easily soluble-for the young
ruotlets to take up-or touching grain OF sand
there, and fitting II to strengthen the tender
plant, BY covering its outer surface with coal
OF mail as brittle rs glass itself, such as We
find on the straw of wheat and other plants.
But this is not all,-moisture descends In
company with these salts and carries heat along
with it. II descends freely through the cracks
or assures, already mentioned. imparting its
warmth as il goes, so that after passing through
the soil and reaching the outlet Of the drain, II
will often be found ten degrees colder than
when il first entered the surface
This moisture is contained in the air, held
there in solution, too thin and unsubstantial
for mortal eye to see, and Is continually pass.
ing into the soil and ranging freely through It,
AS no cold and stagnant water is present to
prevent its passage Here, then, are two most
important dtmosphsrical operations upon soil
that is htted to receive them; one actually im-
parting elements Of fertility, and the other
supplying generous warmth through Its re-
ccsses, with all the kindly influences that are
gained from well-constructed border. or the
genial bottom heat Of the hot-bed But there
Is another agent at work no less important
than these
Suppose the season to be dry one the
earth languishcs for the summer rain the
grass withers, the corn leaves roll aud the SUR
face Of our fields becomes like ashes. Can We
rely upon any aimospheric influence under this
condition Of things, or has He who crested the
wonderful phenomena with which we must deal.
left us helpless and incapable Of securing the
accustomed crop upon which our lives may de-
pendl There arc no clouds that promise rain,
but the sun shines on,
"Aii in . hot and copper sky"
rs though oil vegetation must perish under II.
In the midst Of such a drought. however, the
atmosphere Is crowded with moisture. contain.
ing more than It does when showers are frc-
quent. This atmosphere rests upon the surface
with pressure equal to fifteen pounds to every
square inch and the soil being light and por-
Gus, greedily receives Il and passes 1t along
from particle to particle. distributes It's ammo
mia and other salts, and its heat, rs 1t goes.
At length It reaches point where the soil ID
cooler than itself, and Is at once condensed into
water, and thus the atmosphere trdters The ireli:
drained sol! through pinehing drought, and
brings It's plants to perfection. The bene6cent
operation, which 10 thus ever going on through
the long. hot days OF July or August suns, ID
often beautifully illustrated on our dinner u.
bles when the pitcher Is Alled with cold water
fsom the we'll. For o few moments its outside
appears 10 DO quito dry. but 10 soon covered
with largo, crystal drops, which arc condensed
from the vapor held In solution by the air.-
The air comes In contxct with the pitcher, BY
which, being colder than ITSELF Its vspor is rap
idly CONDENSED and 10 seen In accumulated drops.
This is precisely the process continually carried
pksrs, and this 10 supposed to be what Is meant
by the decomposition of the air by the soil.
The insl purpose Of the shower. then, may
be. not merely TO afford drink to the living
plant, but to displacc staguant water In tho soil
and renew II bypcrcolation.--.E e. FARMER.