The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-12-03
Chemistry in Farming.
TIE soil is that upon which the far,

TIE soil is that upon which the farmer
spends his labor; the atmosphere, the
weather he cannot control, although by
close observation, he may forecast it.
No plant will flourish and mature I'M
less its roots are situated in soil contain
ing all the mineral elements found in the
ashes of the plant. The soil is the home
of the plaintiffs birthplace and station,
where it runs through all the different
stages of its development, and from whence
it receives its nutriment.
The fertility of soil depends upon its
fineness of particles, since the food of the
plant must enter it in state of solution.
That is, the mineral matters must be dis
solved in water, and the rapidity of their
solution is in direct proportion to the ex-
tent of their surface exposed. Hence the
finer particles Of earth, the more abun-
dainty will the plant be supplied with the
necessary elements
The soil has the power of absorbing
moisture from the atmosphere, and con-
densing the same in its pores, and the alb
sorption of water vapors determines its
capacity for absorbing other vapors and
gases.
The part which capillarity of the soil
plays is somewhat analogous to that of a
lamp-the soil is the lamp and the wick,
and the water is the oil.
By the action of the sun and wind, the
surface Is rendered dry by evaporation,
and as fast as the particles of water escape
in vi por, their places are supplied in ca
pillarity from the stores of moisture be-
low; the ascending water brings along
with it the soluble mineral matter of the
soil, and thus the roots of the plants are
situated in stream of their appropriate
food, and those particles of materials not
taken up in the tissues of the plant are
brought to the surface to be washed down
by succeeding rains. With deep subsoil
and good drainage, capillarity aids grav-
itation, and the minerals brought to the
surface then have downward distribution.
1t is easy to see, in good soil well
titled, how capillarity thus acts, keeping
the roots of the plant constantly immersed
in stream of mineral solution, that is
now asceding, now descending, but never
at rest, and how the food of the plant il
thus made to circulate around the organs
fitted for absorbing it.
The same causes that maintain this per-
petual supply of water and food to the
plant, are also ef1cacious in constantly
preparing new supplies. The materials Of
the soil are constantly undergoing chemi-
cal changes, whereby the silica, lime, phos-
phorus, potash, ETC., become soluble in
water, and accessible to the plant.
Water, charged with carbonic acid and
oxygen, is the chief source in the chemical
changes. The more extensive and rapid
circulation of water in the soil, the more
mineral matter will be rendered soluble in
given time, and, other things being equal,
the less will the soil be dependent on ma
nures to keep up its fertility.
Return to the soil, in the shape of ma
nures, compensation for the rare and pre-
cious minerals taken off with the soil
Plow deep, Iulverize the soil well, and
with thorough drainage you can depend
on grains to sell and your farms will inn
prove in Notwithstanding in mind
that different crops draw differently upon
the mineral resources, and that the rotation
of crops has tendency to fertilize the soil (;
for instance, clover, with its long roots,
bring to the surface the rare minerals, and
natures a fine crop, where wheat fails to
produce, and, in addition to that, there
will be residue of minerals rendered avail
able through the chemical action of the
clover sufficient to maintain good yield
of wheat or corn.-Ihe Ruralist.