Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-27

ana CaTpou hfo hDuuudhhiy SuPpi'uu "
nature to plants ss water aud carbolic
acid. Nitrogen, though Astounding IN
nature, is often deficient in the soil,
from the great demands for IL made by
the crops grown ond taken away year
by year. aud then this natural supply OF
nitrogen in the shape OF ammonia and
the niirates from decaying animal and
vegetable matter il exhausted and tho
land IL becomes "worn out.
Chemical analysis informs us OF the
constituents OF soils and OF the crops
tina. We grow. We find that greater
demand is made Tor some elements than
Tor others.
Experience has shown MS that the
drain has been chiefly on "phosphoric
acid" "sulphlric ac;l," nitrogen"
potash. "limc. and magnesia, and tbatwe
must replace these II we are to have re-
munecative crops and q proper return
for orr labor. This no do by restoring
10 our exhausted soils, our WORKOUT
lands. the elements which have been
taken away by "barn-yard manure,
chemical fertilizer, or "green manu-
ring" This brings US to the subject OF
our discussion for to-day. At first sight
it would seem rs if The return
10 IN already impoverished soil
Of tine crop just grown on 1t could
add no now element 10 it, but expe-
ricuce proves that it does, and chemi-
cal analysis o! exhausted soil before
and after certain plants have been grown
show q complete renovation : We find
iiat some plants by their roots penetrate
deeply the earth and bring mp from the
subtOil and store away near TO the sur
face the elements whicn had been alb
ftracted. and some plants by their leaves
absorb nitrogen either by decOmpoHng
the atmospheric air or from the ammo
uia brought down 10y ram or dew. We
therefor seek to use the plants 10 serve
orr purpose which have the above quality
and which luxuriSnt growth. Green
crop manures also give US the cheapest
means OF fertih2ing our outlying fields,
ani save the cost and labor ard time of
hauling from our barn-yards, loosen
and improye heavy soils, and give the
needed vegetable matter to their thin
saLdy soils
For all the above purposes | believe
the great family OF leguminous plants,
among which arc the clovers, peas, and
beans, take first rank. The large " red
clover, " tritoiium prdfcur, has long been
known as u rcnOgatOr OF the soil. Sown
with grain crop, q tOp-dressing gyp-
sum, 1T gives a hay crop, and the second
crop Of its second wears growth should
be turned under when in full bloom and
the surface limed to get the best effect
/ LUccruc. Of the same family, is a great
! improver, and sends its large roots many
[ feet down. LcspCdcz0 strata, orJapan
clover, another Of the same family, will
+ grow on the poorest land, covers the
ground, and gives excellent pasturage.
/ The cowpea has long been known as
3 rcnOvatOr of our WORKOUT lands. Two
crops may be grown IN one season. All
of TINS family are rch in nitrogen, and
/ give enormous growth.
| Buckwhcat hos been much usej ut the
| North. it Is rich III potash, and kills
out weeds. l have heard good farmer
say he hal excellent results from crop
of corn ploughed under.
/ ] got sample OF new bean or pea
recently introduced from India from
orr Commissioner Of Agriculture, Of
which there is a glowing account in the
SoufbcrH PlGofcr for March. 1 intend
giving it trial, and have no doubt it IS
an acquisition, and will oe Of great value.
The paper was discussed by Frank
/ Guy, Julian NJ. Ruln, and others, and
/ on motion, owing 20 the lack OF time,
/ the same subject was continued TO tho
next meeting, which will be held at the
farm of Mr. }. G.. Tin,lev, near Hunslet.
/ The memory Of the members will re-
vert to this meeting Of the club as among
the hqppicst and best ever held, and
/ they vii say with much warmth that the
very kind aad whclc-soulcd hospitality
OF both General ". @. Wickham AMI his
sons, Henry T. and W. f. Wickham,
will ever be cherished most pleasantly.
The club adjourned at a late hour,
most ot the members returning to the
city on the special tram.