Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-02-14
BED OF MARI DISCOVERED.
Use of Mari as a FerfiIizer-It is Es-
PeciaIIy Adapted TO Sandy Soils. ana
Meets the Wants of Gardeners and
Vine Growers.

A bed of mari has been recently discov-
cred in Hudson, Portage county. Specimens
of the mineral foundo n the surface and at a
depth of six feet have been sent us, inc an
analysis of them by an experienced chem
list of this city, proves that the mari con-
tains in abundance very rich fertilizing ele-
ments. The bed covers an area of an acre
at least, and specimens Of the mineral have
been found from the surface to a depth OF
six inches or more. We understand that
the bed was discovered and is partly, if not
wholly owned by Mr.. Joseph Brown, a
brother of the famous John Brown.
No mari has hitherto been found in this
region, and little is known here, popularity,
of its value. 1t promises, however, to sup
ply an essential element of our soil, which
is being rapidly exhausted. Whatever will
correct or restore such waste, must be of
great public advantage.
1t is evident to every thinking man, that
our lands have been growing sterile under
the system of farming which has been in
vogue. The unwise policy of seeking pres
ent gain at the expense of the future has
prevailed, and farmers are just beginning
to learn the lesson, that, to determine their
profits, they must estimate and deduct the
loss of productive elements in the soil caused
by each crop.
How to make two spires of grass grow in
place Of one, has been an important problem
in political economy, and while awaiting
its solution, it may be wise TO consider how
We may preserve the spire already growing.
If we excuse oursel yes from the effort to in
crease the fertility of the soil, we must use
means to prevent its decrease, or the coun-
try will become impoverished.
All known that ruin has been brought
Upon the richest portions of the South, by
the exhaustive system of tillage practiced
there, but we have not been warned by theil
example and we now frequently hear mer
say that a farm has been "hard run" while
there is little thought hat we thus confess
that the true wealth of our country is being
s~quandered.
The man who throws away gold may no
do a public injury, but he who reduces
fertile soil to barrenness, does a wrong tina
only long and toilsome effort can repair
Every crop taken from the earth, with nc
return, as necessarily reduces its wealth, q
taking money from a purse reduces tn,
amount of its contents, and the use of fer
t~ilizers has become a necessity.
Mari has long been used in the Eastern
States and along the Atlantic coast, but ha
not been found to any extent in the West
The Old English writers on agriculture, rec
ommend it highly, and quote the poets il
its praise; and if the quality and quantit.
of hat now discovered, answer to the prom
Use they give, its use will add mater tally t
the wealth of this section of country.
Gypsum or plaster has come into univer
sal use on sandy soils, but it acts only as
stimulant, while mari, being a carbonate
lime, permanently enriches the soil whe,
Incorporated with it. Mari may be used o
all soils where there is not an excess {
lime, with great benefit.
1t is especially needed in the culture G
the wins, and the large and increasing elias
of grape growers in this region may fin
their interests greatly enhanced by thi
discovery.