The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-04-05
The Comparative Value of Ashes.

As every farmer has at times a supply OF
ashes on hand, iJ is proper that a comparison
should be made of the different kinds in
order to arrive at correct knowledge of
their true value. All ashes are not of the
same kind, nor are they alike in fertilizing
properties. That which we seek to derive
from ashes is potash, but they contain also
n large proportion of lime and some magne-
STA. soda and even phOsphoric acid. If we
will examine a given quantity say LOCO
pounds and compare the ordinary hard
wood ashes with soft wood ashes, we will
find that the former contains about 100
pounds of actual potash, % pounds of
soda, 800 pounds of lime. so pounds of mag
nesia and SO pounds of phosphoric acid,
while the soft wood ashes contain 60
pounds of potash, 20 pounds of soda,
$50 pounds of lime, go pounds of mag
nesia and IS pounds of phosphoric acid.
Here we notice that while ii requires a
greater quantity OF soft lpine) wood 10 make
| 1 900 pounds of ashes than of hard (Oak)
wood the soft wood ashes are but little i'll
ferior to the other inspOtash and are richer
| in lime. 1t is shown that ashes are not de-
/ ficent in phosphoric acid, and that they
/ only lack ammonia to be a very efficient fer
tilizer. Indeed, one kind (wilow), would
be a complete fertilizer in itself, with the
addition of ammonia, as 1000 pounds
of them contain over $50 pounds
of phosphoric acid and ia pounds
of potash and nearly GOO pounds of lime.
Coal ashes show poor record, the soft coal
ashes containing only five pounds of potash
to the thousand and two pounds of phos-
phOric acid, small quantity indeed; but
hard coal ashes contain even less-One
pound of potash and one pound of phos-
phoric acid being its proportion. Lime is
not present in either. The substances from
which ashes are derived all contain more or
less ammonia, but fire liberates it, and it
passes away during combustion, as also does
| carbon. Coal ashes being so deficient in
potash and phosphoric acid explains why
they are almost worthless as a fertilizer.
They contain magnesia TO the extent of 3
per cent, or thirty pounds to the 1000.
Some woods furnish ashes exceedingly
rich in potash, so much superior as TO make
them too caustic for application in excess
but such woods are not plentiful. Eastwood,
for instance, contains over $50 pounds of
potash In every 1000, and elm 200 Apple
wood ashes are rich IN lime, and contain 120
pounds of potash. Elm ashes contain a
large proportion of soda, the quantity being
100 pounds. Beech ashes contain 100 pounds
of potash and 53 pounds of phosphoric acid.
| Tan-bark ashes contain 90 pounds potash,
25S pounds lime and % pounds phosphor c
acid. Peat ashes are very Inferior contain
ing only Is pounds of potash. 10 pounds of
lime and pounds OF phosphoric acid
There are several lessons to be learned
from the above First we have a knowledge
of the value of the particular kind of ashes
we wish to use and can exercise judgment
in basing an estimate on the results desired.
Again, it assists US in arriving at a knowl-
edge of what is required by certain plants
or trees that demand the application of fer
tilizers, as here we see the slow-growing.
hard grained woods require more potash
than the softer kinds for just as they yield
. 70 In ch xr-rll fhoy dornan1 xuhflo
growing. We know that the apple, the elm,
the beech and the birch desire both potash
and lime, while the willow is tree that de-
mands from the soil all il can get of every
thing. There are two substances in the
composition of ashes that are rarely applied
to soils by farmers. and yet they are required
by all plants in certain proportion. They
are soda and magnesia. The former is pres
ent in common SALT and where lands have
been found deficient in soda common salt is
used to make up the deficiency. IL is not
as good for the purpose, however, as sui
plate or nitrate of soda, as the soda in the
salt holds very tenaciously TO chlorine with
which it is combined Magnesia is cheap
and can be purchased in the shade of crude
, sulphate of magnesia EPSON salts).
We must not unit ieached ashes. In spite
, of all the soapmakers can do the leached
ashes retain valuable properties, but not as
}, valuable as those of the unleached. They
! contain 20 pounds of potash to every 1,00C
. (dry) 10 pounds of soda, 245pounds of lime
! Is pounds of magnesia aud 65 pounds Of
phesphoric acid. Though the percentage Of
potash is only 2E, the percentage of phos
t phoric acid is over G. which demonstrate:
that we must also hesitate before calcula
t ton tor fear we may include substances thai
are but partially soluble. Thus, should lime
} be present as sulphate (plaster) it is slightly
soluble, but as carbonate insoluble. Al
/ potash compounds are soluble. Phosphate
, are slowly soluble. How important then il
it to us to care for and save all the ashes, fol
, not only wood is consumed on a farm, bu
r corn-cobs VERY rich in potash) and many
other substances not regarded at the tim,
e they are used in the stove.
8 1t should be noticed here that the above il
! not wholly reliable as to the exact quantit,
: of potash, lime, ETC., for it is not an easl
l matter to state what constitutes hard .woot
g ashes. The oak is hard, but different from
: the hickory. The pine is soft, but unlik
the cottonwood. Leached ashes, also, ma,
be both hard and soft. But the figures ar
5 as near the truth as can be given unde