The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-04
TWO DOLLARS PER ANHUM
NO.
Plaster and Clover.

| Ii the cultivation of clover is one Of the
foundation principles of successful Ameri-
can agriculture, plaster GYPSUM is its near
neighbor. Western farmers-the reading
and thinking class-duly appreciate the imi-
portance OF the first proposition, and are
year by year coming to appreciate the value
of gypsum as an aid in fostering not only
the growth Of clover, but also the grasses 81
which are included all our cereal grains.
| That the feeling acknowledging the ne-
cesity of using some special application to
grass and other crops to stimulate growth is
becoming general, is shown by numbers Of
letters from farmers within the last year,
asking for more specific information relating
not only to gypsum, but to many others Of
what are known as special fertilizers. These
we have answered from time to time, as
they were received. For the reason that
land plaster is quite common in Michigan
and some other portions of the West, and
comparatively cheap, and since we believe
that railroads may be induced to make low
rates for transportation because it would te
carried in an opposite direction from their
heavy traffic, and would, as does the cat
riage OF all fertilizing substances, come
back to them in enhanced freights from In.
creased production, we give something of
the nature of gypsum and its effects. In the
use of this, however, as in the case OF all
special fertilizers, each farmer should ex.
pertinent for himself and carefully note Re.
suits. i4 f.s3 ai hgoi
Dana, in his s'Muck Manual,'' article 81,
says: s{ ]aasf tsa
Suppose plaster or gypsum has been ap-
piled the effects OF bushel OF plaster per
acre, or even the one four-hundredth part Of
one per cent. OF the soil, produces effects on
alluvial land which shows its good results
as far as the eye can reach. 1t seems almost
incredible that so minute portion Of a min
eral can act at all, yet how beautifullyois
this result explained by the principle that
plants decompose, first, this salt the lime
for plaster Is sulphate Of lime, then acts
on geine, which is thus rendered soluble,
while the acid, the oil Of vitr0l or sulphuric
acid Immediately acts on silcates. If
silicate OF alkali exist in the soil, we have no
changed sulphate of lime for an alkaline sui
plate, and if silicate Of lime is also present,
the potash or alkali. having been exhausted,
plaster of Paris is formed anew. So longlas
there is in the soil organic matter, this ae-
ton continues, and will continue till the
plant has gradually withdrawn for issiown
use the acid of the salt which is inrroduced.'
That it is an important integer in the
economy o! plant life, we way refer to JOHN
sons ''How Crops Grow" which sayse:seh
".SulpAate Of Lime.-The burned plaster
or less pure state. 1t is readily formed ny
pouring diluted sulphurlc acid on lime or
marble. 1t is found in the ash Of most
plants, especially in that of clover, the bean,
and other legumes." i Siii
In nature, sulphate of lime is usually COM
bined with two molecules Of water, and thus
constitutes gypsum which is rock Of fire.
quent and extensive occurrence. In the
cells of many plants, as for instance, the
bean, gypsum may be discovered by the
1t requires at least four hundred times its
weight of water to dissolve it, and, be-
ing almost universally distributed in the
soil, is rarely absent from the water OF wells
and springs. sid aoa
These extracts will suffice to show some
thing of the value of plaster, and how it
acts upon the constituents of the soil. 1t is
also one of the most valuable substances
known, for the stable, or where it may be
needed to fix nitrogen in its forms as found
Farmer. .I foC.R dilT