The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-05-22
Action of Gypsum.

We agree with practical farmer in the
Farm Journal in all the points he brings
out, and add that its effect on corn from
one to six inches high, in changing its col
or and promoting its growth, when applied
to the hill, one-third of handful to each,
is truly magical. We always used it
before the first working. He says:
There is probably no substance used as
fertilizer whose mode ofaction is so little
UNDERSTOOD whose comparative value upon
different soils is so variously estimated,
whose effects have been so puzzling to
scientific men, as gypsum or as it is better
known, plaster.
Chemically speaking, it is sulphate of
lime, composed OF sulphuric acid and lime
in conjunctin with water-and yet in MANY
cases its action is far superior to either Of
its constituents applied separately, or both
of them combined Chemical analysis, so
dependable in some cases, entirely fails to
show upon what soil this agent will prove
benefcial our only guide seems to be
practical experiment, each one for his own
particular case, and to arrange our future
action by the result of these experiments.
Careful experiment proves that in some
cases diluted sulphuric acid produces a
similar effect to plaster, and that where
one is beneficial, the other will also be.
This rule is not without many exceptions,
however; several experiments, are record
ed wherein plaster produced remarkable
effect, while dilute sulphurc acid produc-
ed no perceptible effect.
Even after practical experiments have
shown us that plaster is beneficial on our
land, we are far from having solved the
many questions which are involved in its Z
application.
In its application to clover much de-
ponds upon the time at which it has been
applied. assIn one experiment an acre of
clover was divided into four equal por-
tons, three of which were top-dressed with
one bushel of plaster, with the following
results;
T TanGsessaG March sota a 59s lbs
April 18TH. 1855 "
" April 21th.. 1874 "
In each case the plaster was sown early
in the morning, before the dew was off the
clover. 1t seems in this case to have pro-
duced thu greatest effect where applied to
the crop with the leaves fully developed.
Some hold the theory that plaster is on
ly beneficial from its power to absorb am
monia from the atmosphere. This may be
one of the ways it acts, but this will not
account for all the phenomena connect
cd with its action. In fact no theory has
yet been advanced which will account for
all the effects of plaster; and until we have
more thoroughly practical experiments we
will not be able to solve the question, now
so perplexing to more than one.
------~-e.s--
CRop REPoRTs-The Department of
Agriculture has very favorable information
of the condition of the winter wheat crop
throughout the country. In the south the
crop is luxuriant, and in the Middle States
the promise is good, especially in Penn
sylvania, where nine tcnths of the counties
make favorable returns. Threc-fourths of
the counties of the Ohio Valley report an
average or favorable condition. Missouri
and Kansas make even better report. In
California it is estimated that the crop
will be forty millions of bushels.
MANURIAL POWER OF SALT.-A CORES.
pendent of the Journal Of Agriculture says
he finds his clay loan ground increased d
more in productiyeness 10y the use of eight
bushels of salt to one bushel of plaster to
the acre, than from the application of ami
NAL manure. Others have been equally
benefited 10y the application. Perhaps
judlcous mixture OF both would secure the
best results.
Eco EATING HENs.-Feed freely with
burnt bones pounded fine, give access to
lime and ashes. In the winter season,
place within reach supply of coarse sand
or gravel This treatment, in most cases,
will prevent the evil.