Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-02-14

ram. etc. Inns faplu dlS1ntegratl0n
of the rock not only supplies the need
ed amount of carbonate of lime, but
both silicate of lime, and sulphuric
acid, by which a portion of the lime is
changed to an imperfect sulphate or
gypsum, In state to be taken up by
the vegetation seeking its appropriate
n-trlment from the soil. In some In
the sulphuric acid is in sup
sufficient to injure vege-
tation; but such effects are limited to
small areas, and the influence soon
ceases.
The area where the rocks are es-
sentially of h e character Just de-
scribed, is large, embracing most of
Orleans county, part of Essex coun-
ty, nearly all Of Caledonia, a large
part of Washington, all of Orange, and
most of Windsor and Windham.-
small portions of some of these are
within the limits Of the taIcOse slate
region, in which but very little lime
stone occurs, but in which both clay
and mica schists are found to a limit
ed extent.
The counties west Of the noun
tains abound in limestone, sandstone
and shales, the latter containing con
siderable amount Of lime, and in many
places undergoing constant, though
not so rapid decomposition, but viii h,
In connection with other causes here
after to be specified, aid in the pro
ducing a soil of great fertility.
On the east side Of the mountains.
the limestone proper is so interstrata-
lied with clay slate, or schist, that alu-
nina is furnished to the soil in the
proportions needed to make it more
retentive, and less liable to be in
juriously affected by drought than a
soil composed essentially Of decompos-
ed limestone would be. The few
towns, like Corinth aud a part OF
Chelsea and Barnard, where there is
deficiency Of argillaceous slate, eX-
mblt the consequences that would be
almost universally observable east OF
The mountains, where argilIaceous
9chists of states are less predomi-
nant.
A soil composed entirely of pure
limestone, containingits usual elements,
would be so deficient in other essential
ingredients, that IL would not be very
productive. Plants require alkalies
phoSphates and other Ingredients
The ashes of Indian corn for example
show silica 80 or 80 per cent, potassa
about 20 per cent, phosphate of lime
II per cent, phosphate OF magnesia
about IA per cent, and less than three
per cent. Of carbonate Of lime. III
1000 lbs. of wheat will be found 21-4
pounds ofpotassa, nearly ? ID pounds
OF soda, less than one pound of lime
nearly pound of magncsia. 4 pounds
of silica, and of alumina, sulphuric acid
phoSphOric acid and chlorine from one
tenth to half a pound each. In 1000
pounds Of the straw of wheat will be
found a trace Of potasSa and soda.
less than three pounds of lime. trace
of magnesia, alumina, sulphuric acid
and chlorine, and nearly pounds of
phOsphoric acid. Lime enters largely
into the stalks of the potato. being
1870 pounds in 1000 pounds; in clover
hay u pounds, and about the same in
the stalk Of the pea.
1t will be readily perceived, there
fore that the soil, in order to be pro
ductive, must contain other clements
besides lime. A table will be found
in the Geological Report page 1876.
the number o f pounds of
pota8sa, soda, &c, contained in 1000
pounds Of wheat, barley, oats, peas.
beans and potatoes; also the amount
OF various elements in 1000 pounds Of
the straw of wheat, barley, oats. and
various kinds Of grass, from which it
will be seen that silica is more album
dant than lime, in most Of the veoeta-
bles we cultivate, except in some of
the grasses, and potato stalks. 1t will
be seen, that however valuable NAV
be the limestone of our State. in pro
noting the eXubcrance of soil, other
rocks and other things are not with
out Importance. Among these things
the dip OF the strata, and the variety
in surface, the hills and the mountains.
doubtless have an important effect.
The grasses Of our hill and noun
ain pastures, contain elements Eavora-
Die to the growth of muscle. and the
production Of fat in cattle, sheen.
lorses, that could never lie expected
n the Western prairies, or any level
ract OF country.
The rocks Of Vermont. if found in
illinois or INDIANA, would affect the
haracter OF the soil much less there.
han they do in our own State, and
ould not be regarded so essentially
Important to great productivcness.-
$ it asked, why our sister State |
Jew Hampshire, should not have a |
oil equally productive, being equally |
lily and mountainous? 1t is replied |
nat there is not enough lime in her
ranite and gneiss rocks to furnish the
eeded supply. Granite is rich in
Ikalles, but not in lime. New lands
lerc, may be equally productive with
lr own, yet alkalies become sooner
ihauSted, because the granite decon-
1Ses very slowly, and does not furn-
h supplies equal to the exhaustion OIL
eSe elements in the soil, by cultiva-
on.
The varieties Ofrock in Vermont
nominated by Adams calcareous ,
lea slate, i. e. silicious limestone
IN hornblende schists
c., each of which contains, not only :
any per cent. of lime, but also. much
lDnIIrpt at |