The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-11-15

Showing preponderance of magnesia
over lime in these important staples, in
round numbers as follows
In Wheat, Buckwheat and Rye four
times in Sorghum eleren times; in Oats
and Clover seed tlcicc and in Maize fire
times as much magnesia as lime, and yet
in the face of these truths, settled beyond |
question, when farmer begins to look
around for food to put into the soil to feed |
and grow these grains, as he puts food in
to the hog trough, nobody objects to lime,
but he is told to be careful lest he aphysic"
his soil with magnetism; and this comes
from individuals whose position and learn
ing entitle their opinions and warnings to
respect.
The magnesia of the shops is laxative to
the animal system; but the idea of purg-
ing the soil with the magnesia in lime is,
to say the least, novel. am however not
contending for words but for great and
important principles and truths.
| agree with very sensible writer on
this subject, that much injury has resulted
from false prevailing notion, that the
presence Of magnesia in limestone rocks,
when calcined burned and applied to
land is followed by bad consequences.
And great deal has been written to ex-
plain the cause Of this imaginary evil.
There is morbid propensity even among
the learned, to explain the causes of sup
posed phenomena, without enquiring into
the fact. 1t is easier to write in explain
alton Of assumed truths, than to investigate
the foundation Of the assumption.
This law Of our weakness was well I'M
derstood by that stern philosopher, DIR.
Franklin, who is said forcibly to have dis
played it by addressing the French philos-
ophers, and propounding to them the
following question; Why does not the
introduction of fish, or other floating
body, into vessel Of water, add its own
weight to the vessel and its contents?
The fact assumed was never questioned,
or examined, by the illustrious individuals
Intercepted: and the philosophical learn
ing and research elected, to erpldin the
cause, was hardly surpassed by the more
recent remarkable display Of learning at
the late Wharton trial.
And so these scientific directors to the
use Of magnesia are bewildered by much
learning, in the wrong direction, and the
practical farmer, and his practical advisers,
must demur, or get into the fish tub, with
those erudite theorists.
Magnesia has been known, in Europe
and on this continent, to be applied to
such an extent as to injure the present fer
tility of the soil So has lime SO has
plaster; so has barn-yard manure; and so
has every other kind of food administered
to plants and animals, and so it will ever
be, until perfect race Of men is created
with perfect knowledge.
But reasonable and approximate neces-
sary quantity Of each must be applied to
produce the best results.
The phosphate of magnesia and ammo
mia applied at the rate Of one hundred and
thirty to two hundred and sixty pounds to
the acre had powerful effect on corn.
And three hundred weight to the acre,
increased the crop Of grain six times, and
of straw or fodder three times, Johnston
ag. chem.)
Magnesia existing in the ashes of nearly
all cultivated plants, as have shown in
the principal grains, its presence in the
soil is requisite to fertility and repeated
additions necessary to supply what is an
nually carried away by the crops and other
causes.
Quick lime dissolyes in $50 times its
own weight Of water, while pure magnesia
requires 5,l42 times its own weight; mag
nesia, therefore, is not likely to injure liv-
ing plants, directly, by entering the roots
in its eaustic state, since lime, seven times
more soluble, produces no injurious effect,
(Johnston's ag chem.)
1t is objected to magnesia that you may
put too much on. Are not all the mineral
and vegetable manures liable to the same
objection !? Is not the sulphuric acid of
plaster injurious to plants if improperly
applied? Does not barn-yard manure
burn up plants if improperly applied? And
so it is Of all manures.
And yet when the bewildered farmer,
who has already heard the raw-head and
blood-bones tales of magnesia and imbibed
vague notions Of its fatality to plants, is
considering the means of restoring exhaust
ed fertility and the propriety and necessity
of less foreign fertilizers on account Of
their cost, and looking to the rocks resting
on the bosom Of his own impoverished
home, is almost resolved to commence, in
a Legitimate way, a permanent system Of
improvement, by home made lime, he is
scared half to death by the cry of amag-
nesia beware, the smell Of it is in the
rocks."
| His fate SO near,
AT once suspends his courage, and his fear. u
He stands stone still The chill of de-
spair is on him his frozen hair stands on
end-until the ubiquitous Phosphate man
appears, heralding new millennium !;
offering remedy for all his ills. With
no presage Of ruin, no magnetism hobgoblin
intervening between him and the new
remedy, his doubts are soon dispelled.
He is offered at low rates, on accommoda-
ting terms, genuine article Of patent
chemical compound, ammoniated, fructify-
ing, unauthorized, super-phosphate, with
no smell Of magnesia about il; and the
increase in first crop will pay for il.
Equilibrium Of heat and circulation is
restored, the plant hair assumes its wonted
place, and grateful smiles play again on
the poor farmers face, as he resolves to try
a felo tons.
/ must not be understood as opposing
the use Of tried and known artificial
phosphates. In the sense in which |
employ the word they are manures; COM
pretending, for convenience under this
name not only those substances that con-
tain in themselves plant food, but also
those, if there be such, that are void in
their own substance Of fertilizing matter,
but that act chemically on any substance
in the soil in making it more available to
the plant. Orators and those who write
moro for diaplav than r,raefic,I hanaf.