The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-08-04
agricultural.
T. H. HosklNs, N. D., Editor,
Newport, Vermont.
The Manurial Value of Ashes.

Professor r, G. Kedzie, chemist of
the Michigan Agricultural College, in
estimating the value of ashes, calls pot
ash worth five cents pound; insoluble
phosphoric acid, five cents pound, and
the mixed carbonates of lime and mag
nesia, one-eighth of cent pound, be-
cause these materials would cost these
sums if purchased separately at whole
sale rates in the open market.
When we consider how large an
amount of vegetable matter is repre-
scented by small amount Of ash, the
value of wood ashes for manure be-
comes evident. Thus only ten pounds
of ash remain from The combustion of
a cord of hardwood, and only five
pounds from cord of soft-wood. One
hundred pounds of ash represent the
mineral matter of eighty-fve bushels
of wheat, eighty-fve bushels of corn,
or a ton of timothy hay. But small
as is the amount of ash, it is still
indispensable for the production of
these crops, and must be present in the
soil in available form before profitable
cultivation is possible.
Let it not be supposed that the ash in
all crops is identical in composition.
The ash of each class of plants has a
composition peculiar to itself, differing
in some respects from that of other
classes; yet there is similarity in the
ash of all cultivated plants. When the
ashes of vegetable substances are
served up for any plant by mixing them
with the soil, such plant does not of
necessity order every dish on the bill of
fare, but selects such materials and in
such quantities as are adapted to its
wants and leaves the balance for some
other occasion.
The hardwood ashes analysed by
Professor Kedzie were taken from a
kitchen stove, the fuel being a mixture
of beech and hard maple. In these
ashes the potash constituted twelve and
one-fourth per cent and phosphoric
acid six per cent. One hundred pounds
were valued at 81. In answer to a
fruit-grower, who asked which he
should give preference to for his fruit
orchard, dry hardwood ashes at SO per
ton, or fine raw bone at S3S, Profess
sor Kedzie replied: "The hardwood
ashes, by all means"
The leached ashes reported on were
taken from tannery, the teaching hav-
ing been carried as far as was profitable.
In these the potash was 1.6 per cent
and phosphoric acid 6.S per cent. Value
of one hundred pounds, fifty-two cents.
Soft-wood ashes analysed were the
ashes from the planings of pine, hem
lock, fir and Eastwood lumber, with
some soft coal ash mixed in. This
product represented the ash from saw
mill and planing-mill furnaces, and con-
tanning twelve per cent potash and four
per cent phosphoric acid. One hundred
pounds are worth eighty-four cents.
Corncob ashes were obtained by burn
ing cobs in the open air. The potash
is forty-five per cent and phosphoric
acid four and one-half per cent. Value
of one hundred pounds, $3.50.
Tannery ash was obtained from the
furnace of a tannery in Lansing, where
spent tan and some soft coal were used
for fuel. In gathering the specimen an
effort was made to exclude the coal ash
as far as possible. The potash was two
and one-half per cent and phosphoric
acid IL per cent. The prolonged steep
ing of the tanbark appears to have eX-
tracted some of the potash and phos-
phoric acid. Value of one hundred
pounds, twenty-five and one-half cents.
In regard to soils most benefited by
wood ashes, Professor Kedzie says:
Discarding ashes of mineral coal as
valueess for manure, it may be said in
general terms that the ashes of wood
and of land plants of every kind are of
value for manure on every kind OF soil
which has been reduced by cropping,
but the greatest benefit is shown upon
sandy and porous soils. On these
light soils crops of every kind, but
especially root crops and corn, will be
benefited by dressing of wood ashes.
Fruit-trees and fruit-bearing plants
having woody structure will be bene
flied by wood ashes"
Thirty to fifty bushels of fresh ashes
to the acre will be full dressing, anC
three or four times that amount o.
leached ashes may be applied with per
manent benefit.
WartsgOn Horses.