Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-05-21
coALAsRESASA FERTILIZER.

II is estimated that the city OF Bos-
ton removes 100000 barrels of coal
ashes annually from tho back yards of
dwelling houses, while largo manufac-
turing and mechanical establishments
cart away as much more. This i'm.
mense quantity Of ashes is generally
used in filling up" the waste places Of
the city to the street level. A good
part Of the Back Bay territory, upon
which now stands some Of the finest
public buildings and private rssiassoss
in the city, is made from coal ashes.
Coal ashes as a oivilizer are but i'm.
perfectly appreciated So far as the
Back Bay territory is concerned, that
property has grown in value from S.
100000 to s4O,00O,O00 in the past
twenty-five years. If splendid resi-.
dences--in fact two or three entire
wards of city-can be planted on
coal ashes as a foundation, is there not
some way in which we country people
can utilize coal ashes upon our worn.
out or heavy soils?
In discussions on old soils and what
they need, il has often beon remarked
that coal ashes have good deal of
virtue. One great want Of the old
soils Of New England generally, and
Massachusetts particularly, is potash.
Coal ashes certainly contain trifle OF
this, the result OF wood used in kind
ling. Again, carefu. observers claim
that all heavy soils need ventilation,
or Tightening up" TO permit the free
action of air. A Nantasket man, who
had land so poor it would not spindle
corn, applied coal ashes, two or three
inches deep, mixed with little yellow
loan, then plowed and narrowed, and
in three years the soil was so much
renovated that he cut ton and half
TO the acre of the best clover. In
another five-acre field, where he ap-
piled leached wood ashes literally, not
much advantage was noted the first
year, but the next year the benefit was
very perceptible, which increased an.
nually five or six years, when the
meadow was plowed up. In part of
the field, barn-yard manure was used,
which ceased to show much effect the
third year, while the ashes were effec.
tive for many years.
A compost Of three parts of muck to
one Of coal ashes was used in alternate
strips on another field, by way of ex-
pertinent, and sown with clover, rolled
but not narrowed Whereverth COM
post was spread the clover terminated
and developed handsomely, while the
strips without the compost were bar
rem. On Long Island the farmers
send vessels to the State of Maine TO
bring mixed ashes from wood and coal
by the cargo TO enrich the famous veg
etable gardens that supply the markets
Of Now York. Perhaps il would be
benefit to our Maine friends were they
10 keep all their wood and coal ashes
md apply II to their own lands.
In Cambridge gardner last year
covered his very sandy land with fine
,oal ashes, and on this he put layer
1f loan, all Of which he spaded in. In
June last he had the finest looking
garden he has ever had. He thinks
,oal ashes did it.
Let us have the experience of such
If our agricultural friends as have ex.
with coal ashes, and deter
nine, il possible, if they have any real
Ialue in improving the soil or adding
o its vigor or fertility. find, with
III our experimenting and investiga.
ing, that hundreds Of the same prob
ems that were discussed years ago
till remain unsolved.- Boston Cuiti.
dtor.