Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-07

{ Idll uO AAOh lllONhNNH MA
crops-just as good as at first
Ashes as "a EertItiser.
A correspondent of the Prairie Far
71er insists that farmers are seriously re
4 miss in not making greater use of ashes.
He discusses the subject as follows:
/ How many have tried sowing ashes
I largely on grass lands, that is, sown them
thick; say from ten to thirty bushels to
The acre? Not one in a thousand have
tried the smaller figure; few have applied
five bushels, and not many any at all.
Ashes are usually sown with plaster in the
East, double the quantity of ashes to that
of plaster, and about three bushels 10 the
acre in all
Here and there a farmer makes expert
ments with ashes; and still more, less
thorough, continued experiments. These
we generally get in the papers. But
! what do they teach us? Always that it
/ is well 10 sow ashes on grass lands, and
apply them on some other crops In
deed, there are few, if any, crops that
are not benefited. And this is not sin
gular, when we consider that potash is
necessity to plant life, and that the soil,
after many years cropping, becomes eX-
hausted of this as OF all other fertilizers.
Hence, where land has been long an,
and ashes have not been applied, it is
pretty strong evidence that their applica-
ton will be benefit.
There are tables showing the benefit of
ashes; these have been given in all the
agricultural papers, and need not be re-
peated here; but it need be repeated
often that dshCs (pOtash) are not only
necessary, but a very great advantage.
Ashes contain other matter beneficial be-
sides the potash. They contain, in a
small quantity, 1.-TWO per cent. that other
element SO important in agriculture, plas-
ter of Paris or gypsum. Indeed, they
contain the inorganic elements Of the soil
as necessary as The organic And they
comprise the whole needed for plant food.
That important element phosphoric acid,
is represented by three or four per cent,
which is considerable.
All these are given to the soil in the use
of ashes; and if largely used, the effect is
augmented; thus we see the advantage of
using plentifully of this common fertilizer.
Now, ashes have an immediate effect:
also a prolonged effect; this in conse-
quence of some Of the ingredients being
more soluble than the rest. Potash dis
solves at once and goes to the benefit
the plant. So do some other substances.
The lime and phOSphOric acid act more
tardiiy; and these are of importance. 1t |
takes years to completely dissolve these,
and while they are still undissolvcd they |
are all the while acting as a manure,
slowly accomplishing.
AppliCations at intervals of years, there |
fore, would be the way to apply these; |
and in leached ashes we have Just these
lasting elements
But to get the potash and soda, and |
we must apply often, yearly |
Hence it is best To apply often, yearly, |
and less at a time From five to ten |
bushels 70 the acre would show a good |
and a continued yield for many wears,
augmenting the crop much beyond the /
cost of the ashes.
1t will, therefore, be seen that it is posi-
tive gain to use ashes, particularly on |
grass lands GncluIing clover and on po- !
tatocs. But it may be used with advan- |
tage on al! crops.
Ashes have another effect Like salt, |
(Which they contain they are, from their |
alkaline character, deleterious 10 some |
plants, and happily, these are not the |
plants wanted. They are usually the foul |
growth among the grasses. Thus they
are weeder, a promoter of good The |
is 10 get the ashes. But, luck |
lily for those who wish 10 use them. they !
may be obtained, as they are 50 It'll. cm- |
ployed. Where coal is the principal fuel |
il is more difficult to get them. But in |
places where wood is burned, a man may |
take a team in winter and spring and |
collect a good many. Hundreds of BUSH !
els may thus be gathered in a short time, |
and usually for twenty or twenty-five |
cents bushels. They viii pay at a high |
er figure
Now, in view OF the easy application of |
this fertilizer, and the ready gathering |
and cheap purchas" of it. there is no cz-
cuse left for neglrctiu- it. Besides, caou |
farmer, in wooden countries, can save
more ashes than he does, and can use his !
leach ashes, which are generally thrown
away Try the ashes. Try them fairly
Try them on old land well run. Apply |
almost any time. for grass: spring is the |
best, for then the effect of the soluble !
parts is immediate, and this is wanted for
a start the rest is sustaining, and through |
several seasons.
In this way land may be treated for
many years with profitable advantage, and
always if the amount be properly lined.