The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-12
On Burning Clay aud Rubbish.

TO the Editor ofthe State Journal:
Will you allow a novice to venture his
IDEAS on the subject of burning clay anG
rubbish as advised in the JOURNAL of the
9Th inst?
Johnston in his Agricultural Chemistry
uses nearly the same language as yourself,
when he says "burned earth and clay have
long been recognized by the farmer as use
full applications in certain circumstances, to
his land" Now these certain circum-
stances we must study to understand. He
first says that the clay, etc., must be burned
slowly and without free access of air.
This to retain the organic matter it may be
certain, in the favor of carbon or charcoal.
Pure clay, that is without roots and leaves,
contains more or less potash, and in some
localities, lime; but they are often in in
soluble state, which the burning remedies
by dissolying, or perhaps more properly,
pulverizing. OF course, we must first as
certain if our clays do contain these valua-
bic alkalies, for we know pretty well that
they are not burdened with organic matter.
If the earth be decomposed feldspar, or a
kind of kaolin, such as is found in many
places in this state, it would do we'll to
burn. But Johnston emphasizes the ad-
iuration to burn slowly according to the
process you recommend, even if the earth
be purely mineral, for he says by over
burning the clay is rendered less soluble
than before.
The burning of turf is an old method
resorted to in England and other countries
to improve poor lands. But poor ho,c {? BY
lack of mineral matter and an excess of
organic matter, matted roots, &c. Our soil
is not poor that way. wish it was, Mr..
Editor. But Johnston says the practice is an
evil one, and not to be recommended, except
at long intervals, and to bring tough land
into ready cultivation. But it will be o
long time | apprehend before we can afford
tie burn sod.
| think, Mr.. Editor, there has been alto
gether too much burning in Virginia The
lands are often greatly lacking in organic
matter, while even containing, If long cult
waited, considerable phosphate, lime and pot
ash. This is shown by its unequalled sus-
ceptibility to manure. Rich lands of the
West do not respond much to the use of
manure, but they do to the use of mineral
fertilizers. Our lands will often refuse to
respond to phosphates, but they will largely
repay light dressing of manure. From
Which, Ill Suc tiidI VIC lleeu " TttuW ub
cegitable matter possible IN the soil.
70 shade it in summer and protect it in
winter with any sort OF covering, even if
"long" and apt to be little in the way IN
cultivation. Let us use our chip dirt and
woods mould for mulch, and save our
matches. Why, MIR. Editor, | wish you
could see about hundred young apple
trees, five or six years old, that reset some
what late this spring. We had big chip
pile, which had thought of burning down
for ashes, but knowing that the trees re-
CURED a mulch of some kind, drew out
the chip dirt, hundred bushels in all, and
distributed it among the trees, giving good
covering for the roots of each. The result
is, so far, that they are all living and look
ing well, in spite Of the drouth. OF course
they were pruned in. | think it was better
than getting five or six bushels of inferior
ash.
So propose that we scrape up the leaves,
chips, rotten wood, turf, etc., and compost
it, or spread it anywhere on land that is in
use. HOLLYWOOD.