Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-28
ArM. i. THTLOR.N 400

the IRON unites with water and forms hy-
drous oxide of iron, or iron rust. This
alteration gives rise to great variety of
color in the different beds of the mate
rial. When it is fully altered in this
way, 1t forms the red or yellow sand
stone so much used in this district.
Numerous analyses have been made of
these marls, both in their original and
altered conditions. They contain, in all
the samples tested, at least, lime, patash
and phosphorlc acid, just the elements
that are required to fertilize the sandy
soils, and to renew and increase the
fertility of those that have been worn
out. These elements occur in the mari
in variable amounts, and generally less
in the altered than in the unaltered
material. In nearly every instance,
however, the amounts were sufficient to
be of great agricultural value to every
field within hauling distance of such q
deposit. 1t often happens, too, that
these beds of mari lie in closest proximity
to the very soils on which they are most
needed, and all the farmer has to do to
secure the desired results is to apply it as
a fertilizer.
If any proof is wanted of the adapti-
bility of these marls and of their great
value on just this character of soii, 1t is
shown in New Jersey, where exactly SINH
lar conditions exist. In that state there
were large areas of pine land soils, which
were, like ours, of little agricultural
value, because of the small amounts of
potash, phosphoric acid and lime CON-
tanned in them. There were, however,
large deposits of green-sand mari ada
cent to them, and its use has been of the
highest benefit. This 10 fully attested
both by the agricultural and geological
reports of the state. The late state gsol-
ogist, Professor Geo. II. Cook, said of
them: cit gives lasting fertility to the
soils. l have never seen field which
has once been married that is now Door.
One instance was found where poor and
sandy land was married more than thirty
years ago, and has ever since been titled
without manure, and not well managed,
which is still in good condition,
Fruit trees and vines make O remarka-
BILE growth and produce fruit of high
favor when literally dressed with this
msrl.' This is testimony that cannot
be doubted, and although the green sand
msrls of East Texas are not as rich as
those of New Jersey, they are neverthe-
less rich enough TO be of the same use to
our lands. Nearly 200 900 tons of green
sand marls are used yearly in New Jer-
sey.
The first requisite to the best results is
that the mari should be powdered as
finely as possible before spreading it on
the land. The green sand decomposes
and Is dissolved very slowly, ana the
finer il is powdered the more rapid will
be its action. 1t should also be spread
evenly and uniformly over the ground.
1t is, ordinarily, wet when first dug, but
after certain amout of drying it can be
easily pulverized, or It can be dried more
rapidly aud rendered more friable by the
mixture of small amout of quickllme
with il. 1t could also be improved by
composing it with barnyard manure or
gusuo. Owing to the difficulty with
which the green sand is dissolved, the
effects are not ALWAYS so apparent the
frst year; but ii is lasting fertilizer, as
is shown by the quotations given above.
The amount required will of course
vary with'the com position Of the soil and
the Quality OF the green sand. From