Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-02-10


MEssRs. Ep1ToRs The soil of the West
ern continent may be said to he its capital.
All American farmers know that this soil es-
sentially differs in character; that there are
clayey, loamy, and sandy soils that these soils
require different treatment, mechanically and
that they are diversified in their capacity for
producing and accumulating vegetable life. To
comprehend the true relations existing between
the organized and unorganized portions, is TO
understand the principles of so mixing and
combining the solid and liquid portions as to
induce, or compel, an association with the vol
atile elements without which vegetable life
cannot long exist.
The intermingling and mixing of clayey and
sandy soils is known TO produce beneficial re-
suits, from the fact, undoubtedly, that such
combination enables ii TO attract and retain
those volatile fluids or gases which are the
electrical life of vegetable physiology. Light,
heat and moisture are the great agents in the
production of vegetable life and the mixing of
clay and sand in the soil facilitates the recep.
ton and transmission of these elemeuts, and
cannot fail to produce desirable results.
One of the most interesting and important
questions which science presents TO the mind of
the vegetable Psychologist, as well as the prac-
teal tiler of the SOIL is, what portion, or how
much of the food Of plants is derived from the
atmosphere. That large portion is so obtain
ed, science and observation long since demon
strated Hence the importance of carefully
studying and understanding the laws by which
the termination, growth and maturity of the
plants we cultivate are governed.
The bold enunicatons of men of science that
soil analysis would unfold TO the farmer the
l. 49,. 10, 81
Bile him to ascertain what elements were def
cient in his soil, and how much of the twelve
simple elements he would need TO purchase at
some drug store, at trivial cost, TO raise his
exhausted fields to high state of cultivation,
so dazzed his Imagination at first, that when
the mysterious bubble broke, he believed the
whole science of vegetable economy lie. But
notwithstanding the farmer was disappointed
in his hopes of direct, practical assistance from
this branch of scientific investigation, he was
largely benefited, nasmuch as his curiosity was
excited, and he was led to think and to inves-
tigate. These investigations opened to the
thoughtful, rejecting farmer, the mysteries of
science, and their possible connection with the
solid realities of his labors. The affinity be-
tween the organized and unorganized elements
is one of the protoundest relations in the laws
ofnature.
How wonderful that the carbonic acid expel-
led from the lungs of man and beast, and the
ammonia formed from decomposing vegetable
matter, are absorbed by the rams, SHOWS and
dews carried down to the soil again, pass in
10 the spongioles or mouths of roots, drawn
into the plant by capillary attraction, and final
ly crystallized by the sun into grain and straw
as food for man and beast.
Thh observing man will note that the past
season hrs been one of remarkable productive
ness ior potatoes; and that there was a marked
absence of toggy mornings, particularly at the
time when the tubers were maturng,-th
pretty clearly demonstrating that an excess of
hydrogen in the atmosphere prevents the natu-
raj formation of starch. No study that at pres
ent engages the human mind can be more in
teresting than the application of science to the
cultivation of the earth. And now that, with
the new year, our old, familiar friend, the Ne,c
England Farmer re-appears, let us resume our
studies and Investigations, and make its col
umns medium of friendly intercommunica-
ton. l.. l., PIERCE.
East Jg6iey, N. H., jan, 1866.