OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 231 
The former contains, according to Berger, in 100 Ibs. when dried, 8.3 lbs. of ash, in which is found 
3.6 lbs. of potash. 
Without entering more minutely into the consideration of the composition of the materials of 
which farm-yard manure is composed, I will present the analysis of such manure, in a half rotted 
state, which is the condition in which it is used by Bousingault, on his farm. 
The average of the richest and poorest contains— 
Carbonae toe Bee ee 35.8 
Riydrogen= = se. se see se oe as eee 4.2 
Nitro pene ene ee oe eee nie Someone 2.0 
Oxygen 
Salis and earthes: 4-2 2-5 ee ee ee 32.2 
100.0 
And the ash in 100 parts contains— 
Carponigeadid c-Si eo ee ee ee 2.0 
Phouphorie aGldas* san ee ce ote ce 3.0 
Sulpliuric: wid- == 2-5 oa i a ee 1.9 
Ohilorinewsse0 0 8, Jas eo ee ee 0.6 
Silica:sand. and. clays. =-s= 2... <=-2532-es54e4 66.4 
Jamendo et eas ee 286 
WMaonesia. 4522 <2 ote oe Se cee SS a6 
@xide' of iron and aluminas .- 2222 =.=-524555:2 6.1 
Potash andsouns=ss2 550-5 o a ce cee tS 
Comparing these results with the analyses given of the plants which constitute the staple crops 
of the State, it will be seen how completely this substance is adapted to supply what such plants 
take from the soil. It indicates, I am persuaded, the true course for agricultural investigations to 
take. . 
Much has been written, in our agricultural periodicals, on the subject of composts, and more than 
one mode of preparing them has, I believe, been patented. On this subject Ihave but one word to 
say: if the substances placed in these composts have, in themselves, fertilizing ingredients, they are 
so far, and no farther, valuable. Yet they are thought to acquire some extraordinary virtue by this 
treatment, different from what would result from decomposition under ordinary circumstances, and 
I have seen great pains and much labor bestowed, under this impression, at the same time that 
really valuable manures were allowed to waste unheeded. Iam far from underrating the value 
of accumulations of vegetable matter, intended for manure. 
Leaves, weeds, and all such matters, contain a valuable amount of both organic and inorganic 
elements, that are not to be slighted. But it seems to me a useless waste of labor to bring from the 
field green weeds, &c. that could be ploughed in with ease, and with every possible benefit to the 
soil. If they are too stubborn for this, they may be piled up in the corner of the field, in alternate 
layers with lime—the layer of weeds about one foot, and that of the lime one inch. In twenty- 
four hours they will be sufficiently decomposed to be returned to the soil. 
There is another practice not in accordance with the present State of agricultural knowledge, 
I mean the burning of the vegetable matter from the woods, and, not unfrequently, from the fields. 
From the woods, it is burned for the sake of pasturage; but it is obvious that it cannot be continued 
but at the expense of both the pasturage and the soil; in truth, the practice never could have 
