28 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Jan. 



we are not, perhaps, warranted in ranking char- 

 coal as a manure, as it is a substance nearly 

 or quite indestructible ; yet it possesses the ca- 

 pacity of exercising the functions of such, and 

 may be considered as an efficient collector of the 

 food of vegetables in most of their modifications, 

 during the entire period of their growth. The 

 same may be said of gypsum or plaster of Paris. 

 Of this article, there are in every 100 pounds, 46 

 pounds of sulphuric acid, or oil of vitriol ; 33 

 pounds of lime, and 21 pounds of water. The 

 first constituent, or sulphuric acid, manifests a 

 strong affinity for alkalies. If we mix gypsum with 

 urine that has become putrid, or with manures 

 of any kind, in a state of fermentation, the am- 

 monia, which under such circumstances is in a 

 state of rapid evolver^'ent, combines with the acid 

 of the gypsum, and forms the compound known 

 as sulphate of ammonia. In this state it is no 

 longer liable to volatilization, and can no more 

 be dissipated or 'fly off,' than granite or common 

 salt ; it is, however, a soluble compound, and will 

 hence sink into the soil with the first rain. 



"These facts, relative to the nature of the above 

 substances, explain the utility of spreading gyp- 

 sum, charcoal, and other similar substances, over 

 the floors of our barns, stables and other out- 

 buildings, as well as upon the surface of our un- 

 protected manure heaps, and, indeed, in every 

 situation where this valuable principle is engen- 

 dered." 



Formerly, the opinion was almost universal, 

 that gypsum operated merely as a stimidant, but 

 in his recent agricultural work. Professor Liebeg 

 has presented an elegant solution of its action, 

 and one which, we have no doubt, will be found 

 perfectly correct. It will appear, according to 

 his views, that the carbonate of ammonia known 

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

 an energetic agent in vegetable growth, is attract- 

 ed and decomposed by gypsum and soluble sul- 

 phate of ammonia and carbonate of lime formed. 

 As this salt of ammonia possesses no volatility, 

 it is, of course, retained in the soil, and success- 

 fully economized for the use of the growing 

 plants. 



Both the above-^amed salts, however, are 

 found to have a very advantageous influence upon 

 the humus of the soil, and tend to advance its 

 preparation for the crops that are upon it. 



In all cases where putrescent manures are ap- 

 plied to land, the loss occasioned by the escape 

 of ammonia, unless some substance is applied 

 with it capable of attracting and fixing it, is sup- 

 posed to be considerable — though some persons 

 regard the loss as trifling. We are clearly of the 

 opinion, however, that where manure is thrown 

 into large heaps and permitted so to remain till 

 it ferments, that it is often greatly reduced in val- 



ue in consequence of the ammoniacal and other 

 gaseous products being set free, and allowed to 

 pass into the atmosphere during the process of 

 fermentation, or "heating," as it is more com- 

 monly termed by farmers. 



Dr. Dana makes some strong remarks upon this 

 point in his "Muck Manual," to which we refer 

 the reader for many facts of importance in the 

 collection and application of manures. 



GOLDEN DAYS OP NOVEMBER. 



The autumn chill creeps over our years ; 



The autumn frosts on our heads are falling; 

 And beyond the winter of death and tears 



We can hear, sometimes, the snow-birds calling. 

 White hairs upon the wrinkled brow 



A truce to time will soon be waving, 

 While the scanty fruit on branch and bough. 



But little fulfils our youth's large craving. 

 Thank God for a late autumnal smile 



That kin lies to flame the dying ember ! 

 Sit down, old heart, and be pleased awhile 



In these golden days of November. 



Who says the best of our lives are past ? 



Who says that no move the angels love us— 

 While the heart of nature seems so vast. 



And her kiss of peace is bending above us ? 

 There's a soft warm mist on field and hill. 



Where the Indian of this second summer 

 His spirit game is chasing still, 



As he did ere the reign of the irhite new-oomer. 

 Away from the happy hunting grounds 



AV'hose tribes his dusky legions number — 

 He comes, they say, when the echo sounds, 



In these golden days of November. 



Once more throw open the window-pane. 



Ere to winter's blast we bar and close it j 

 Unfasten the heart for an hour again, 



While the golden glory overflows it. 

 Sit down in memory by the streams 



That dabbled our feet in the days so early — 

 When the budding germs of crimes and schemes 



Crept under the looks so brown and curly. 

 Crawl out in the sunshine, crippled age. 



Though a brighter sun you may well remember : 

 0, happy for you if your closing page 



Be these golden days of November. 



Is it Summer ? No ! the branches are bare. 



And we listen in vain for the song bird's singing ; 

 A calm — but a treacherous calm is in the air, 



And forth will the winds like hounds be springing. 

 Creep in, old age, to your hearth again ! 



Shut down the sash and bar the shutter ! 

 One autumn comes, but two will remain. 



If we trust what childhood's heart may utter ! 

 Let the night come down with the chilly haze — 



Let the storm beat out the failing ember : 

 We have looked our last on the treacherous days. 



The golden days of November. Henry Morford. 



The Red Spider. — The Michigan Farmer pub- 

 lishes the following recipe, discovered by Dr. A. 

 Bush, of Detroit ; twelve ounces common soft 

 soap ; three ounces (by measure) turpentine or 

 camphine, mix well together. This is for six 

 gallons of water, which must be stirred well to- 

 gether, and applied with a common garden syringe, 

 or the same proportion for any quantity. 



