No. 11. 



DanielVs JVew Artificial Manure. 



351 



" It had long been a subject of inquiry, what 

 is the food of plants, how are they supplied, 

 and what are the elements of their growth ? 

 There was every reason to believe that a re- 

 ply could be now given of a more satisfactory 

 nature than had ever been hitherto known ; 

 besides which, by the discovery of Mr. Dan- 

 iell, a most important corroboration had been 

 obtained of what had been considered the 

 elements of vegetable growth; those ele- 

 ments were carbon or charcoal, hydrogen or 

 inflammable gas, oxygen or vital air, and ni- 

 trogen. All these elements existed in the 

 atmosphere, in combination with other ele- 

 ments, in which state they were found to be 

 the sources of vegetable development. It 

 was known to persons accustomed to rural 

 pursuits, that the heaps of vegetable sub- 

 stances collected for the purposes of manure, 

 during the process of decomposition became 

 greatly reduced in bulk and weight. If they 

 investigated the causes of this reduction, 

 they would find that it was occasioned by 

 the evaporation of the carbonic acid and am- 

 monia, the principal sources of nutriment to 

 plants. The discovery of Mr. Daniell con- 

 tained all the elements of vegetable growth. 

 It did not supply new elements, but the same 

 derived from other sources. It was known, 

 that by combustion substances were rapidly 

 decomposed, and its operation produced the 

 elements of vegetable growth. There were 

 on the earth numerous plants which were 

 apparently useless, but it was a principle in 

 nature that nothing should be lost, and they 

 were capable of a reduction into their ele- 

 ments, and being made the means of vege- 

 table growth in other forms. The discovery 

 of Mr. Daniell was suggested by the fact 

 that, while burning vegetables, he observed 

 that the ashes became blackened by the sur- 

 rounding smoke, and when used in that state 

 were very fertilizing. This led him to in- 

 vestigate the cause, and as the result of his 

 investigation he had produced the new ma- 

 nure, the elements of which were carbon and 

 ammonia. With it the principal properties 

 would not fly off" during decomposition, as 

 that would take place in the earth. Among 

 other advantages, it was light in weight, 

 cheap, and capable of being produced in any 

 quantity. 



" This manure has been applied by the dis- 

 coverer to his own crops, on three acres of 

 poor land, in an elevated situation, on some 

 of which he has grown wheat four successive 

 years with improving results each year ; its 

 good effects are therefore founded upon ex- 

 perience, personal observation, and the testi- 

 mony of other observers competent to judge. 

 From the nature of the manure, it is applica- 

 ble, with some variations in its composition, 



to every kind of crop. It is not a stimulating 

 manure, in the ordinary sense of the word — 

 that is, it will not have a tendency to call into 

 activity the existing resources in the soil — 

 but its direct efl^ect is to convey to the soil 

 the direct nutriment of future growth. This 

 effect is produced by the supply of ammonia 

 to the soil in substances calculated to retain 

 it for a time — to again absorb it from the at- 

 mosphere — as they give it out to plants during 

 their growth. It will probably prevent also 

 the ravages of insects. 



Its mode of application may be various, ac- 

 cording to the circumstances of the crops. 

 The application by drill is conducive to econo- 

 my of the manure, and a direct application 

 to the infant plant, as is the case with bone- 

 dust. Care, however, must be taken that it 

 is not applied too directly to the plant, or 

 without some portion of mould around it. 

 This is the only precaution needed to avoid 

 danger in its use. There is one required to 

 prevent waste, as it is of a volatile character; 

 that is, to place it several inches in the earth; 

 as the earth will absorb and retain the vola- 

 tile and valuable part. For grass lands, for 

 similar reasons, it will be well to have it 

 mixed with a considerable portion of ordinary 

 unvalued mould. If the manure, as manu- 

 factured, be mixed with an equal bulk of 

 mould, it will be perfectly safe for applica- 

 tion ; or if the mould of the field be stirred 

 over it, when drilled, it will suffice. The 

 quantity to be used will vary according to 

 the crop, like any other manure. About 

 twenty-four bushels per acre are recommend- 

 ed for wheat, and half as much more, or 

 thirty-six bushels, might be beneficially ap- 

 plied for turnips or mangel-wurtzel. The 

 most beneficial quantities will easily be ascer- 

 tained by the intelligent farmer." 



Home. 



The only fountain in the wilderness of 

 life where man drinks of water totally un 

 mixed with bitterness, is that which gush- 

 es up in the calm and steady recess of do- 

 mestic life. Pleasure may heat the heart 

 with artificial excitement ; ambition may 

 delude it with golden dreams ; war may era- 

 dicate its fine fibres and diminish its sensi- 

 tiveness, but it is only domestic love that can 

 render it truly happy. 



When you see a man who curses when it 

 rains, frets when a fog occurs, and smiles 

 only when the sun shines, be sure that such 

 an one can never bear up with fortitude 

 against the attacks of misfortune, nor stand 

 with equanimity the marvellous changes of 

 our daily life. 



