Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1871-12-16
V ERMONT FARM Err.


compose rapidly and form II productive
soil. In Derby the limestone formation
which seems to underlie nearly the whole
town is in n very friable condition wherever
exposed to the atmosphere, so that the soil is
rendered very dark colored in such situations
through this agency. To this fact was prob
ably owing the fertility of the soil for which,
have been informed, the town was noted
in its earlier days. The calcareous schists of
this town contain considerable quantities of
garnet, hornblende, magnetic and other
minerals which furnish necessary elements
to soil when decomposed. This is undoubt-
cdly the case in Newport, Coventry and other
towns. 1t is highly probable, also, that the
limestone of Newport. Derby, Coventry the
islands in the lake, &C., contains u large
amount of fossilic remains, although they are
not now visible, owing to the metamorphosis
which they, in common with their matrices.
underwent in some ancient period; for they
are quite numerous and well preserved in
the formation short distance north of the
boundary. These, it will be seen. through
the decomposing action of iron pyrites will
Jitii titil lllitlttI ~ tic
soil. Again, it is quite likely that the lime
stone of the region about Lake Memphrema-
cog is somewhat magnetism in its character,
rs good specimens of dolomite may be OBJ
tanned at Magoon's Point, p. q. If this sup
position be correct another valuable element
is added to the soil by the dsintegration of
these Gale schists. Thus it will be seen that
- Al.
are quite rich in the mineral elements neces-
sary to the growth of vegetation. All that is
needed are some agencies by means of which
these elements may be eliminated in proper
quantities. Sulphuret of iron in connection
with atmospheric influences is one of these
agencies.
The rocks in place in the eastern and south
eastern parts of the county consist in the
major part of granite, gneiss, syenite and
mica hornblende and calcareo-mica schists.
These are not so easily decomposed as others
that have been mentioned, yet they are
slowly but surely being reduced to common
form by the almost ceaseless action of de-
composing pyrites. The rocks and soil in
Holland, Morgan, and other eastern and
southern portions of the county, contain, per-
haps, more akalies and alkaline earths than
the parts of the county previously mentioned,
so that in times to come, if it is properly till
ed, this section will be an excellent farming
region, notwithstanding the considerable alti-
tude of some of its lands.
From the foregoing facts it will be seen that
much of the great agricultural capabilities of
Orleans County is due to the rapid decompo-
sition of its rocks, arising from the presence
of iron pyrites. 1t is probable that much of
the dsintegrating and dssolving action of
deconiposing pyrites is due to the heat gen.
Grated when sulphuric acid and water are
mixed in certain proportions. Besides acting
upon the mineral elements of the soil, the
sulphuric and other acids undoubtedly act
upon the GENE, humus and other products of
vegetable decomposition, thus rendering
them more subservient to the requirements
of vegetable growth. But the action of sui
phuret of iron will almost cease in time if
the soil remains in a quiescent state. There
fore it behooves all enterprising farmers who
would sustain the fertility of their farms to
stir the soil much and often, so as to bring