Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-04-03
SAVE YOUR OOAL-ASHES.
BY E. P. POWELL.

The value of cOal-ash0s is not at all
understood by those who have them
in abundance yet there is hardly any
material OF greater importance, in
either city or country. will enum-
crate some of the uses to which
have put them, and in every case with
decided advantage. l Twill enumerate
according 10 relative value.
l. AS mulch about fruit trees
that are liable to be attacked with
oorers. II yoa thoroughly clear an
apple tree of borers, and then beat
down q half bushel of coal-ashes
about the trunk, letting them mound
up to the tree, you may be sure of
subsequent immunity from the pest.
l am sure of this, having experiment.
ed for twelve years, with absolute
success. The same remedy is equally
valuable for all other trees bored at
the surface of the ground. About ten
years ago had fiue row of white
ash threatened with destruction but
bushel or two of ashes pounded
The ashes are SO porous as to readily
admit air, SO that little harm can be
done by supernuOus amount.
=. 40 q hloASh ooouV POoA 9AVSS Va
otner fruits, to secure the roots from
ITO mulch equal to this to equalize the
temperature Of the soil. Next to it
should place sawdust that has been
run through stable for bedding.
But the asn is far more lasting aud
more useful in snppressing grass aud
weeds. 1t is impossible to pat too
much emphasis on the importance of
| such q protection for the roots Of
trees Of tender constitution
3. AS y mulch for newiy-planted
trees and shrubs. This avoids the
| necessity of frequent waterings, W hich
sodden the soil, while the ashes
tighten it. Of $50 trees thus protect
Lu last year lost but two.
| 4. AS top-dressing on grassland.
The effect is most marked on heavy
clay soil and on dry knolls. t.s., air
5. As a dressing, well forked in, to
| tighten heavy garden soil. l havo
used it with marked effect ou stiff
clay spots, where it was impossible
to grow ordinary vegetables. A
friend, having city lot of good size,
found his garden to be composed Of
the worst Kind of subsoil thrown out
of cellars. He threw his ashes for
two years about his lot, aud, t. his
own surPrie~, tho. no hod nv
pure accident, secured the best 81
land for garden purposes. -t-
6. Your ashes, if you can do moth
ing better with them, will make tho
best Of walks. 1t takes some time to
settle them; but, if properly laid,
they are In time almost as good ~
shale or gravel.
L am so greedy for ashes for such
purposes that not only use all can
make, but all can beg or buy. Fer
tunately for myself, most of my
neighbors consider them valueless.
AS far as possible, 1 am spreading
them thickiy under my gooseberries
aud over the whole SURFACE OF the
ground. l should be glad 10 get
enough to serve my currants in the
same way. Tho goossberry, how
ever. is specially benefited, asIit re-
quires moist, cool soil. 1t may be
well to add those who have difficulty
with rhododendrons and similar
shrubs will find good mulch of coal
ashes Of decided value.
OF course, it will be understood
that reference is had wholly to the
ash of anthracite coal, that from the
soft Goals Of Illinois aud Missouri
containing elements decidedly in
furious to vegetation, unless used
very sparingly.