Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-10-25

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skill and scientific knowledge Of farmers in
every section of the country Agricultural
chemistry will find this special field Of prac-
teal utility Not only the chemical elements
Of different grains and vegetable products
must be noted, in the results Of careful
analysis, but when soils are deficient in these,
the substances afording the requisite additions
must be as carefully ascertained and their
sources of supply must be discovered and ex-
planned by the agricultural geologist Not
merely the elements Of recuperating agencies
must be found, but the proper conditions and
combinations in which result favorable to
the proposed crop will be realized. While
the science of agricultural chemistry is in
some respects most difficult, frsm the variety
of subjects and combinations embraced in the
scope Of its analytical enquiries, it has still
the basis of positive facts and Illustrative ex-
pcriments on which to base its conclusions. |
1t is of the highest rank among the physical
sciences, bearing kindred relation to the
physiology of vegetable life As to means
Of recuperating soils, whatever suggestions
might be made Of specific treatment, would
be Of limited value, unless predicatcd on an
enlightened knowledge Of the state and condi-
ton Of the particular location where the
treatment was to be applied The time is not
distant when learned professors will be em-
ployed by farmers to give them an exact
chemical analysis of the lands on which their
toll aud labor is to be employed. Our agri-
cultural schools and colleges have thus pros.
pect before them Of not only professional
utility but of fame and honor and dignity.
For he that shall teach the people " how to
make two spires Of grass grow where but one
grew before, is a benefactor of mankind.
With the risk of the misapplication of my
suggestions as to the use Of fertilizers TO soils
in different state and condition from that to
which they would apply, will venture some
general remarks on this subject
In the use Of manures that which is pro-
duced from the former crop is moro immedi-
ately beneficial in the future production Of a
similar crop. Hence, the best fertilizer is
that which is made from the product Of
the farm not in its original condition Of
vegetable growth, but when by animal, veg
etahle fermentation, or chemical process, it is
reduced to a state Of chemical, or rather nat
ural, affinity with growing plants-when it
comes to a state and condition to be absorbed |
by the fibre roots Of the new vegetable life.
If, however, the crop is to be varied, modi
fcation Of the state and composition of ma
nures is essential. If a wheat crop is sought, |
and the soil is deficient in alkali, the addition
of wood ashes, or lime, or plaster of Paris,
well worked into the manure heap, is essential.
The refuse Of the lime kiln, where avail |
able, as containing ashes from the wood
consumed, and the disintegrated particles OF
lime, is better than either used separately,
aud is beneficial appropriation of what has
usually been thrown out and wasted 1t is
better that these be modified by mixture with
the fermenting manure heap, than if thrown
out alone on the soil, or even buried under
the roots Of the future crop. This mixture
and fermentation Of manures is equally ben
e6cial to any vegetable substance proposed
to be used as a fertilizer. Swamp mud and
vegetable debris, gathered from the forest,
must be subjected to fermentation with barn
yard compost, to be of any great benefit to a
crop. Most substances 50 gathered have an
acid element in their composition, which rem
ders them detrimental rather than beneficial
to the farm crop, until it is neutralized by
alkali. Trees may be benefcially mulched
with decayed wood, and have their growth
promoted but not so farm crops. A Long Is
land farmer gave to his land a plentiful
dressing Of peat, and instead of the crop he
expected, rank bed Of sorrel sprung up
whose acid juices would have added to the
quality Of vinegar. Had this peat, which is
of vegetable origin, undergone the process of
fermentation, and been mixed in compost
heap with other substances, apprehend its
application to field crops would have been
highly beneficial.
Though animal excrements are stronger in
iertilizing properties than any other sub
stance, yet, in their application to the produce
ton Of crops, their mixture with other sub
stances often reduces them to better afhni.
ty with the new vegetable growth, than if
used in their natural state and condition
This remark is useful with respect to the ap-
plication Of what is known as concentrated
manires such as poudrette, guano, bone
dust, and other animal relics All these, in
their application, must be combined with the
soil, and thereby be diminished in strength or
modified in the appropriation Of their fertil-
izng properties. If Immediately applied to
roots aud fbres, they would be more likely to
burn out their vitality than to promote their
growth The misuse and misappication
Of these substances have caused many an
honest farmer to pronounce against them al
together. A proper limit in quantity and
method in their applications essential to sue
cess in their use. Poudrette, which is but
the deodorized contents Of privy-vaults, re-
duced and concentrated by evaporation, re-
quires as much skill and limit in its appi-
cation as gdano. The use of the contents OF
privies on the farm requires scarce tenth
as much on the same land as would be re-
quired of barn-yard or compost manures,
Corn is the most fitting crop for this fertiliz.
er, and it should be deodoriEed by mixture
with natural earth. Guano is generally es-
teemed the strongest of oil fertilizers, being
the excrements Of birds accumulated in Ger.
tain islands in the Tropics near the western
coast of South America during many ages
But as to this, it is doubtful if il leaves the
land in 50 good condition as it found it,
though it may force the luxuriant growth of
single crop. But without application to