Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-06-17
MooxsmIxE.

thing needful for the fuller develop
meDt Of agriculture, in this latitude ;
and though we do not propose now,
To attempt an arraJ, or elucilation OF
those so much needed auxillinries to
every vocation, 1t may not be amiss
TO aslutle toa single speculation, and
invite enquiry into Its truth, or fall
lacy. We mean the real, or imagi-
nary influence Of the Moon upon the
growth of vegetation. The belief is
entertained, by thousands of farmers,
that the production Of Dubious or
tap-rooted vegetables, is seriously af-
fected by the phase Of the Moon, at
the time Of planting. II this be u
fact, 1t is an important one that
should be clearly established by the
very safest test-careful and oft re-
peated experiments.
The idea, II we understand 1t, IL
that the class Of vegetables, above
designated, should be planted IN the
Ozark Of the Moon," and those which
mature above ground, In the eight
Of the Moon" And right here, the
question presents itself-which period
Is the "dark," aud which the eight
of the Moon.n Pbilosophically
speaking, II appears to us that ,scith-
or term has any Significance, farther
than that attached to II by a tra.li-
tion for which there Is no astronomi-
cat foundation, other than the moons
influence upon the tides and the pow
err it may exert over vegetation
through the agency Of its reflected
light, and lis almost imperccptible
warmth. But to return to the ques-
ton just propounded:
1t must be borne in mind, In order
TO understand the answer, that, from
the new to the fall moon there are
fourteen days and about eighteen
hours, and from the full, to new
moon, the same fixed period
We presume the first mentioned
phase, IL that known as the light
of the moon, and only because il
lights up the earlier hours Of the
night and lends Its beauty to Oul
waking hours. The latter phase Is
the dark of the moon, only because
1t shines In the after part OF the
night, when II Is invisible to honest
sletp ers and seen by night walkers
o watchers rom Ieces 'ity. Nowi
it b, the dark of the moon, that con
duces to h, successful growth of bull
bOus, and tap roots, what becomes o.
the theory In the face OF the fact that
the same amount Of light Is Elected
during the dark as during the light
of the moon? One cause should no,
be assigned for opposite effects; and
we are inclined to believe that want
Of close observation has kept alive 9
superstition theory IL you prefer
the term-that has no foundation In
natural science.
Our own observations lead us tC
the conclusion that the fertility o
the soil, its careful preparation, plant
ing II properly and as early rs til,
season authorises, are the chief con
ditions of q good yield, contingent
Of course, upon the supply of mois
ture and heat which the season may
supply. Weknow that light Is one o
the elements of both animal and veg
ctable perfection, and are willing Il
conce,le that the borrowed light o
the moon contributes something Il
the growth of our crops; but canno
understand why that light, dispensed
equally, In the early, and the after
parts of the night, should make ,
distinction In the growth of plants
producing fruit under ground, AM
those which mature on, or above tn,
surface. And until this supposed in
tluence of the moon Is explained up
on philosophlc principles, or by re
ries of experiments which, 10y thei
uniform results, leave no room 70
doubt, We can have no faith In TIN
popular Idea, which smacks 80 strong
ly of idle superstition. Astronomi
cally speaking, there Is no clark
of the moon, In contradistinction [,
the "lightn of the moon-these term
are wholly arbitrary, and the inhu
cuces inferred, are AZ visionary ~ tn
terms are inapplicable to the differ
cut phases of the moon. The plow
the spade, the hoe and tie manur
heap are the only reliable securltie
for abundant crops, and II these b
diligently and intelligently employ
ed, we think farmers and gardener
will soon look upon their long chez
ished moon theory as the meres
maonshine. Plant after i thoroug
preparation of the soil, plant the be,
seed, cultivate judiciously, aud yo
will reap crops fully up to the capac
~ Of soil, except In Seasons excess
lively wet or dry. Observe these col
ditions aud give the moon the crcdi
IL you choose.
Ar the public reception given
Mr.. Greedy, ON his return from Il
land OF the Kukluxes, he deliver,
himself, in hitter terms, against Il
thieving Carllo.-baggers, Ia the Sou
whose conduct Is doing 50 much
aid Of Democracy, and 50 much
Disgrace aud break down the Rae
cal party. W Greely's heal was