86 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Eeb. 



numerous coves, creeks and inlets, and imbedded 

 in the midst of magnificent hills and lofty moun- 

 tains. It may justly vie in beauty and grandeur 

 with Winnipissiogee or Lake George, or with the 

 more celebrated and far famed Scottish lakes 

 Katrine and Lomond. 



There is much more that might be written 

 about this region, and its industrious inhabitants. 

 Perhaps at some future time I may have some- 

 thing to say about my own Suijar River Valley. 

 W.tj. A. Clinton. 



Claremonf, N. IL, Dec, 18oS. 



AMMONIA. 



This substance, which performs a very impor- 

 tant part in the economy of vegetable devel- 

 opment and growth, is always found in rain- 

 water, dew and snow, particularly in the vicin- 

 age of cities and densely populated districts, 

 where ammonia is profusely generated by decom- 

 posing matters. It is a volatile substance, and 

 unless absorbed and fixed by some article capa- 

 ble of attracting and retaining it, passes into the 

 atmosphere, and is lost. That it actually abounds 

 in rain water as it descends from the heavens, 

 and in no inconsiderable quantity, may be de- 

 monstrated by simply distilling a few gallons, 

 and mixing the first two or three pounds distilled 

 with a little muriatic acid. A very distinct and 

 beautiful crystallization of muriate of ammonia, 

 or sal ammonia, v!i\\ thus be formed, the crystals 

 having a dark or brownish color. 



If a small quantity of muriatic acid be added 

 to a quantity of rain water, and the mixture 

 evaporated to dryness over a hot fire, the am- 

 monia will remain as a residuum, in combination 

 with the sulphuric acid. It may be detected by 

 adding a little pulverized limi*, which will com- 

 bine with the acid, and the ammonia will be set 

 free. In this state, it is easily detected by its 

 pungent smell. 



As to fixers, a recent writer on agricultural 

 chemistry remarks : — "For this purpose charcoal 

 is probably one of the most efficient and valuable 

 articles known, as it is capable, under ordinary 

 circumstance, of absorbing ninety limes its weight 

 of ammoniacal gas, which it retains until it is 

 freed and washed into the soil by rain. Here, 

 partly, no doubt, by the voltaic action of the 

 spongioles, it is conveyed into the vegetable sys- 

 tem and circulation, and becomes the principal 

 source of nitrogen, so indispensable to vegetable 

 health and growth. Gypsum, another valuable 

 article, is also a powerful fixer, and is highly val- 

 uable a? an application, on all soils, especially 

 those that are dressed with animal substances, 

 which in the process of decomposition evolve 

 considerable quantities of ammonia, and which, 

 like charcoal, it serves to fix and retain for the 

 benefit of the growing crop." 



Urate is evolved or given out by putrid 

 urine, and by stable dung in a state of fermenta- 

 tion. It is always a colorless product, and dis- 

 tinguished by a peculiarly pungent odor. When 

 dissolved in water, it is known as "harisJiorn.' 

 It is volatile in a very remarkable degree, pos- 

 sesses the common properties of soda and pot- 

 ash, and combines read.ly, as we have already 

 shown, with acids. Its eilects upon vegetation, 

 are very marked. For fixing and economizing 

 this volatile and highly important product of de- 

 composition, gypsum, or plaster of paris, as it is 

 more commonly denominated, possesses n very 

 high degree of value. It was formerly supposed 

 that gypsum operated merely as a stimulant 

 when applied to vegetables ; but in his very ele- 

 gant and elaborate work. Professor Liebig has 

 presented a solution of its action, which experi- 

 ence, we have no doubt, will demonstrate to We 

 correct. 



According to his views, carbonate of ammonia, 

 which is known to be present in rain-water, and 

 in itself a most energetic and salutary agent in 

 the production of vegetable phenomena, is at- 

 tracted and decomposed by gypsum, and soluble 

 sulphate of ammonia and carbonate of lime 

 formed. As this salt of ammonia possesses no 

 volatility, it is, of course, retained in the soil, 

 and eff'ectually economized for the use of plants. 

 Both the above salts, however, have a decidedly 

 beneficial influence upon the humus of the soil, 

 and, by a specific action, tend to advance its 

 preparation as a soluble food of plants. 



For the New England Farmer. 



MANUBES— COMPOSTING AND EX- 

 POSING. 



Mr. Editor : — I was pleased with the commu- 

 nication from Mr. Collamore, in the Farmer of 

 December 18th. He quotes from my communi- 

 cation of November 27, as follows :"forty years 

 among the corn crops." I wrote it as follows, 

 "forty years' labor among corn crops." 



There is a great difference in spending forty 

 years among crops of corn, and laboring forty 

 years among corn crops. The laborer has greatly 

 the advantage over a mere proprietor, in noticing 

 failures among the diflferent crops. 



Mr. C. asks some eight questions, two or more 

 of them being double ones. These questions par- 

 take somewhat of the process of dodging'respon- 

 sibility. When Mr. C. says I am "mistaken," 

 and "blind," he should produce some experimen- 

 tal argument to convince me that I was in error, 

 and could not see. I had not the most distant 

 thought about "converts," when I wrote my ex- 

 perience, and I venture to prophecy that in less 

 than twenty years very many farmers will be 

 ready to give just such "advice," and "give their 

 manure the benefit of both sun and rain." 



Mr. C. asks, "has it never occurred to him, that 

 he could compost his manure?" I wrote about 

 composted manure, and supposed it was so un- 



