Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-01-03
agricultural.
westminster Farmer,s club.


sion was opened by NJ w. DAvis,-and
the Secretary would here remark that he
is indebted to Mr.. Davis himself for the
following synopsis of his remarks, it be-
ing more full and complete than could
have been otherwise reported. 4
M.W. DAVIS" Mr. President; The
subject this evening for our consideration
is wood ashes as fertilizer in particular
and other fertilizers in general. may
start somewhat remotely from the SUBJ
icct, and shall be obliged to pass some
what hurriedly in review the many
considerations which bring me to the
conclusions that may here advance. 4
need not tell you, sir, that our object
is or should be in the civilizations of our
soils, to raise the largest crops ,c'th the
least expense and not impoverish the land.
In order to do this we must study the
character of our various crops, learn
their exact composition (for there is no
miracle working in their creation) as
they are all made Of various matters al
ready in existence.
What we wish to know is, what kind
of matter do our crops need for their full
lest and complete development, and when
shall we obtain them: We can learn this
only by deeomposing them or in other
words taking then, apart. Now if We burn
any vegetable matter it disappears except
small quantity which we call ashes, the
residue mingling with the atmosphere;
in this way we make an important divi-
sion. That part which disappears we
call organic, the other inorganic; now we
understand the organic part was obtained
from the air, from its affinity in that di-
rection; the inorganic or ashes from the
soil. Nothing is lost in nature, only
changed in form. Tie organic part of
plants consists of four kinds of matter
carbon or charcoal, Ga solid substance)
and three gases, oxygen, hydrogen, and
nitrogen. When we burn wood protected
from the air, its carbon becomes charcoal.
By gas, we mean air; and the gases |
have mentioned, when pure are always
in the form of air May we not then
reasonably argue and conclude, that the
organic element of plants are obtained
from properties in the atmosphere, and
the inorganic from the soil. Then, every
farmer should study the nature of the
soil in his own particular locality, that
he may devise certain means to secure
the desired end, viz: Success in farming.
l might here speak Of the component
parts of the atmosphere-of water and
its impurities; Of carbonic acid as being
of more importance in the development
of the organism of our crops than any
other single food; also of nitrogen and
amonia rs entering largely into the or
game constituency, Dut iorDear as my
theme is to feed our crops with inorganic
matter, viz Wood ashes as applied to
the soil ! might here speak of alkalis,
acids and other neutrais Of their COM
pounds and other neutralizing effects
when coming in contact; of their strong
affinity for each other, &c. But find
when we pour water over ashes it dis
solves the potash and carries it through
in solution called lye and if boiled to
dryness becomes substance from which
pure potash may be made. Potash is
found constituent of nearly all plants:
it unitcs with silica forming compound
which water can dissolve and carrying it
into the roots Of plants, thus forming an
ingredient which gives strength. be-
lieve that in the application of ashes to
our crops we will in a great measure pre-
vent oar cereal grains from lodging as
we'll as largely enhancing their produc-
tivcness otherwise
Ashes by its potash element is an ac-
tive deoomposer, Of the mannres We apply
and tie vegetable matter of the soil
thus aiding our crops to ready access tc
the food desired and it is not TO be ques
toned that they are more beneficial OF
sandy soil than any other. 1t toughen'
the round particles of sandy soils and
keeps them light and / would recommend
the use of from ten to fifteen bushels O
ashes to an acre of corn (upoa the hill
and as many more bushels ms you cal
afford. mean if you can buy then
reasonably; and also mean to be un
derstood in this discussion unleached ash
es for 1 consider leached ashes to be o
comparatively little value to unieached
1t is the potash We want; all vegetation
cries out for it; our old lands are ex
hausted of it. The increase of our potat
crop in quantity and especially in qualit
upon the virgin soil, is evidence of tn
fact whom continual cropping has nc
drawn so largely on that constituen
But We must study our soil never undel
taking to crop. to exhaust. Be liberal /
the soil. loan her good currency and sh