Dec. 



1855.] 



THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 



850 



JtoJjTinregard to tiiiage or the art of obtaining a pul- 

 verized seed- bed out of a hard or heavy soil. We must 

 IL (in the examples adduced) the result is obtained by 

 Speated strokes over the surface; this, in fact, being 

 the" principle" of operating; and we further seethe 

 effect desired is obtained by the least expenditure of 

 power on the instant. These are just the principles we are 

 [n search of. Hence what is the inference in respect to our 

 #ling land by the power of steam ? Why whenever our 

 object is to obtain like results on hard materials, we should 

 apply the same principles to obtain our end with the least 

 expenditure of power. Now arises the question, why is 

 the principle not in use at the present time ? Because 

 the fanner uses only a small tool scarce a foot wide, and 

 having a large superficies to operate upon, he cannot 

 afford the time to go twice over a place ; he cannot 

 avail himself of the economical mechanical axiom of 

 « repeated strokes ;" he is obliged to encounter the labour 

 and rip up the heavy material to the full depth required 

 at one stroke. If he were to attempt to operate with 

 the plough in the manner indicated over half an acre of 

 land, it would be equal to 16 horses trampling the land 

 for four hours, which of course would neutralise the 

 very end he had in view. Therefore, however advan- 

 tageous the * principle" of operating " by degrees " may 

 be — however economical of* power — he has never yet 

 been able to employ it, because he has not a machine 

 through which he could use it without trampling down 

 the seed-bed as fast as he made it. 



In a former letter we showed how to economise 

 time in operating, by inscribing the work to be done 

 within the area of a circle ; in another, how to obtain 

 the element most necessary to insure success in plant- 

 production by employing the human head and hand as 

 a temporary piece of mechanism ; in this we have dis- 

 covered how to economise "power," and reduce its 

 employment to a minimum by adopting the principle of 

 overcoming labour by degrees. Let us in our next 

 briefly sum up, and proceed to devise a steam-tillage 

 machine according to the evidence, which shall be 

 calculated to fulfil every necessary requirement of the 

 farmer in the field* 0. Burcham, London. 



ably on some plains than others 

 naturally coataiu much of it. 



those especially which 

 It benefits root and 



SALT 



ITS AGRICULTURAL PROPERTIES 



AND USES. 



Bsr Mr. Pride aux, of Plymouth. 



Of the long list of fertilisers, not one has suffered 

 more from mi mderstanding and consequent misappli- 

 cation than salt, which is nevertheless so active, as well 

 as cheap, that it will do good service to the farmer to 

 give him distinct and definite notions of its true proper- 

 ties, the purposes it is fit for, and the best methods of 

 applying it. The two first of these points will be 

 treated of in this letter; but to give practical directions 

 for all its applications would require much more detail 

 than would suit either your columns or my time. Theintei- 

 ligent and reasoning farmer will be able to modify these, 

 according to the circumstances of his estate, when he 

 clearly understands the properties and modes of action 

 of salt, and the purposes for which it is really fit. 



The properties of salt chiefly useful in agriculture 

 are — 1. The supply of its constituents, soda and chlorine. 



2. Attraction for moisture and resistance of freezing. 



3. Sharpness, without being acid or alkaline ; solubility 

 and penetration of porous matter. 4. Promotion of 

 putrefaction when used sparingly, though the contrary 

 when used freely. 5. Mutual decomposition with lime 

 and some of its compounds, as well as some other salts, 

 giving rise to other and often more active fertilisers. 



Let us next see what are its known effects, and to 

 which of these properties they may be owing ; and for 

 our avowed purpose of distinctness we will consider 

 them in three divisions : — A. Effects of salt on the soil. 

 B, Its effects on other manures, 

 plant and seed. 



A. Its Effects on the Soil. — a. Keeps it moist in the 

 heat of sumiH^ and soft in the winter's frost (see 

 above prop. 2) 



green crops generally, more than those of corn, as might 

 be expected from ita moistening and digestive quality 

 in the soil (a, 6, c). i. Pasture is, as well as roots, 

 rendered more palatable and wholesome by its enter- 

 ing into the s^p Vy Its solubility (3), and more 

 nutritious by its digestive action in the soil and manures 

 enriching the roct-snr>. Jc. Low pastures are sweetened 

 by it, though it is not aikaiin* 5 but it becomes so by 

 giving out some of its chlorine in the leaf (m). /. Wheat 

 and Barley have less straw, but more ear and heavier 

 grain, m. It does net lores the young plant, nor deepen 

 the green (though chlorine is given off by the leaf in 

 sunshine), but strengthens the growth by the enriched 

 sap (c). n. Germination seems rather to be even re- 

 tarded by it, and the plant comes up small at first, due 

 to its sharpness (3) and destructive tendency (d), but 

 the plant soon fetches up and overpasses those which 

 are not salted ; but implying also a stimulating action 

 due to its sharpness (3), exciting to strong plants, but 

 overpowering to weak ones. o. Peas and other plants 

 are said to blossom earlier, and grain to come earlier to 

 harvest ; here again we recognise the stimulating action 

 above alluded to, which excites vegetation, when used 

 in due proportion, though oppressive to it when in 

 excess (n). p. Salts are much more abundant in the 

 vital sap before flowering (the chief vital action) than 

 after, and more in the sensitive plant than in others. | 

 Hence salts appear connected with vital energy, which 

 may explain the stimulative actions above noticed 



(n and o). 



This stimulating action is the most important fer- 

 tilising property of salt, and seems to contrast remark- 

 ably with that of ammonia, each supplying the defects 

 of the other. Ammonia forces the young plant, 

 deepens the green of the leaf, produces a luxuriant juicy 

 growth ; and in excess runs corn to straw and leaf, and 

 often lays it with but little ear. Salt, on the contrary, 

 rather retards the young plant (n) ; does not deepen the 

 green, but strengthens the after growth (m); renders 

 roots and green crops more solid and nutritious (i); 

 produces more corn and less straw (/), and forwards 

 blossoming and maturity (o). Here, then, ammonia 

 seems to give the early vigour and activity, and the 

 luxuriant juicy growth, in which salt is deficient ; and 

 salt to supply the strength and nutrition, which am- 

 monia does not always produce, and also to bring the 

 crops earlier to maturity. Hence they would seem 

 practically well suited to act together. Moreover, 

 ammonia was described as acting chiefly in the plant by 

 promoting chemical transformation, and thus lightening 

 the labour, so to speak, of the vital powers, and by en- 

 couraging absorption from the air. Salt, on the other 

 hand, appears to act in great part as a digestive in the 

 soil, to enrich the sap by the root, and in the plant as a 

 stimulant to the vital forces. By ammonia the chemical 

 changes in the sap seem liable to overrun the vital appro- 

 priation of the materials, and thus produce soft and 

 juicy growth. By salt the vital action seems to be 

 excited to select and arrange all the constituents,, so as 



C. Its effects on the 



thus suits dry soils and seasons, whilst 

 most other concentrated manures require wet. h. By 

 this, and its penetrating quality (3) it keeps everything 

 in the soil in the softest and most soluble state, best 

 fitted to work on each other, and to be acted on by the 

 air and weather, c. By its putrefactive power (4), it 

 *lso promotes these reactions, thus digesting, so to 

 «peak, everything in the soil fit for vegetable nutrition, 

 tod preparing it to enrich the root-sap. d. Kills all 

 ▼ermin, and most weeds also, if used freely enough, by 

 its sharpness and penetration (3). 



B, Its E[]ects on other Manures. — e. Dung with salt 

 has been found more effective for Turnips than double 

 the quantity of dung without ; and one quarter dung to 

 three quarters salted peat, worked into a rich soapy 

 spit-manure, produced more Turnips and Potatoes than 

 the whole four parts of dung alone. Both these cases 

 appear due to the moistening and digestive actions 

 already explained (a, 6, c). f. Worked with seeds, &c, 

 kills all vermin, seeds, and roots, by its sharpness and 

 Penetration (d), and rots them (a) to a soft smooth 

 P^te, fit for the dung-heap, as it does not waste the 

 jmnionia like lime. g. Undergoes decomposition with 



to give every part its due solidity. 



Hence they appear, theoretically also, just suited to 

 aid and correct each other. It would seem as though 

 three parts salt compost to one of ammoniacal (dung; 

 did better than all dung. 



Now, if this be found a general law (and I have 

 hitherto met with few facts opposed to it), how greatly 

 will it add to our resources in manure. If the deficiency 

 of ammonia in the homestead dung-heap can be com- 

 pensated by so cheap a material as salt, how greatly may 

 the farmer improve his crops at a comparatively trifling 

 expense ? And if the concentrated ammoniacal manures, 

 as sulphate of ammonia and guano, may be actually 

 improved by three or four times their weight of salt- 

 thus reducing their cost per cwt. to one-third or one- 

 fourth its present amount— how much more will they 

 be within the means of a small farmer, and enable him 

 to bring heavier crops to the market ? To recapitulate 

 what we have said, we may expect from salt— 1. In 

 the soil— retention of moisture and softness ; general 

 penetration and digestion of ail the materials of 

 vegetable food to enrich the root-sap ; and destruc- 

 tion of vermin and of seeds when used freely. 2. On 

 othermanures— the destruction of allvermin, weeds, roots 

 and seeds ; the digestive action just described ; mutual 

 decomposition with lime and its compounds, to the 

 advantage of both ; and an improvement in the efficacy 

 of ammoniacal manures, whilst it greatly reduces their 

 cost. 3. In the plant —improvement in the taste, 

 wholesomeness. and nutritive power, and earlier 

 maturity. 



from the mountains above going ou for many centuries 

 back, covered entirely with Heath. And in the central 

 highlands a great extent is covered with water for want 

 of surface drains, which would greatly improve it for 

 ] asture alone ; indeed, this remark is applicable to the 

 highlands at targe. But I am informed if you mention 

 draining to the inhabitants they remark, "it won't 

 pay f speak of trenching, * it is too far to cart corn 

 such a distance to the sea-shore.* 1 I could quote many 

 such remarks ; but then how is such a change to be 

 brought about amongst the people ? It is my opinion 

 they must have ignorance removed from their door 

 first ; by cultivating the inhabitants they will then be 

 in a more fit state to receive instructions how to culti- 

 vate the soil. Teach them to be active, sober, and 

 industrious. Instead of noblemen attempting to in- 

 troduce the games of the dark ages at highland 

 gatherings, let them rather draw their peasants' attention 

 to the games played in the agricultural world. Let man 

 run and leap as he may, he will be outstripped by the 

 horse, or the steam engine. A new system of agriculture 

 is much wanted in those localities to which " A, H. F. C. n 

 alludes, and I should be glad to hear his suggestions as 

 to the mode in which it is to be accomplished. He must 

 bear in mind the Highlanders are much enslaved to 

 en <>m and habit, which are not easy to be taken away 

 from them. My opinion is until landlords take an 

 active interest themselves in improving those portions 

 of the Highlands to which they belong the peasants 



themselves are of too easy a contented mind to do much, 

 A Constant Reader. 



Superphosphate of Lime.— My attention has been 

 drawn to the following paragraph in your paper of the 

 8th instant : — 



"Superphosphate of Lime.— There has been a lecture delivered 

 by S. Grove Grady, Esq., recorder of Gravesend, upon Agricul- 

 tural Chemistry. This lecture was delivered at Hatfield. Mr. 

 Grady is one of the directors of the Patent Superphosphate 

 Compost Company. The reporter fiives the following :—' He 

 then discussed at 'length the question as to whether the phos- 

 phates, Ac- &c. should be in a soluble or insoluble state, and 

 proved by extracts from Dr. C. Remigius Fresenius chemical 

 analysis, and from Professor Liebig, that the insoluble were as 

 beneficial to the full development of the plant as the soluble ; for 

 the ingredients which are soluble serve for immediate use, those 

 which are neutral or semi-soluble exercise a more permanent 

 action, and those which are altogether insoluble afford a prospect 

 of future nourishment for plants, although for the time being 

 they possess no nutritive powers. Those artificial manures, 

 therefore, which are in a highly soluble state, are not so benefi- 

 cial as when they are soluble, neutral, and insoluble/ I do not 

 remember seeing any tiling about semi-soluble phosphate m the 

 writings of Liebig or other writers, neither can I see how any 

 manures can be too soluble provided they are not washed out ot 

 the soil by the rains. Will you, Sir, be so kind as to enlighten 

 me on these points? From a Correspondent" 



I am at a loss to understand the meaning and object of 

 your correspondent ; whether he seeks information, or 

 whether he cavils with the use of a word, or whether he 

 means to say that I have put a word into the mouth of 

 the learned individual referred to, which was not his own, 

 I cannot tell. The last hypothesis would seem to me 

 to point to his object. If so I freely admit that the 

 word "semi-soluble" is not to be met with in Professor 

 Liebig's works, but I must also add that I never used it 

 as the Professor's word. I used it parenthetically, 

 as giving to my audience the closest meauing 

 of the word "neutral" that occurred to me at 





lime ; 

 binat 



Powerful digestives and feeders than the salt itself: salt 



a &d linie work vegetable matters to decay quicker than 



**it alone. With gypsum it will supply soda and sul- 



Pfriric acid cheaper than any other material, besides 



*° e «iuriate of lime, so valuable for its moistening 

 quality. 



C. Its Ejects on the Plant.— h. It acts more favour- 1 



Home Correspondence. 



The Waste Lands of the Highlands.— One writing on 

 the 24th November, calling the attention of agricul- 

 turists to the necessity of improving waste land, 

 alludes to two places— the New Forest and the central 

 and eastern highlands of Scotland. As to the land cul- 

 tivable in the New Forest I c*n say but little ; but 

 I am proud to see one now and then calling our atten- 

 ion to the great necessity <»f reclaiming waste land. 



the moment that I was delivering an extempore 

 address, and the reporter has failed to put it in the 

 way that I used the word, and has left it in my lecture 

 as part of the passage. This, however, must have been 

 apparent to your correspondent if he had been just 

 enough to give himself a moment's thought. If your 

 correspondent seeks information, I say the idea is to be 

 found in Liebig, as I shall presently prove. If he cavils 

 with the use of the word, I say that I was quite justisfied 

 in its use, and that it expressed well to the minds of my 

 hearers the ideas of that great and learned writer whose 

 theories and whose experience we shall everyday prove 

 to be more and more correct, and more closely allied to 

 truth than those of any other writer on the great and 

 important subject to which he has addressed himself. 

 In Dr. Liebig's "Chemistry in its application to 

 Agriculture and Physiology," edited by Professor 

 Playfair, 3d edition, p. 155, I find the following 

 passages :— u There are certain ashes of plants wholly 

 soluble in water, others are only partially soluble, whilst 

 certain kinds yield only traces of soluble ingre- 

 dients when the parts of the ashes insoluble 

 in water are treated with an acid (muriatic acid). 

 This residue in the case of many plants is quite 

 soluble in the acids." "With other plants only half 

 the residue dissolves, the other half resisting the solvent 

 action of the acid, while in the case of certain plants only 

 a third, or even less of the residue is taken up by the 

 acid." If ingredients are wholly, partially, quite soluble ; 

 if others are only half soluble and the other half inso- 

 luble ; if again a third, or even less are soluble, it is 

 manifest there must be different degrees of solubility ; 

 if so there is nothing incorrect in the term semi-soluble. 

 Again, in Liebig's " Principles of Agricultural Chemistry, 

 with special reference to the late researches made in 

 England," edited by Professor Gregory, p. 29, 1 find 

 the° following passage :—" The same inequality of in- 



mass 



tion to the great necessity v>» *v.v.._ & 



As "A. H. F. 0." alludes to the eastern and central 

 highlands of that country being the best parts to im- 

 prove, I am quite of his opinion, for in many of these 

 vales in the eastern highlands there is little wanted but 



to plough and sow. Go where you will, on every river example, the reason 

 and streamlet side, there jou see the rich alluvial sod 

 w,;™«. i™rr the. Unlra which has been settling down 



plied to both plants in great quantity, but in different 

 conditions of solubility." Again, p. 38: "The state of 

 solubility or available form in the mineral constituents 

 has, as I endeavoured to explain in my work, the 

 greatest influence on their efficacy ; **d this is, for 



why the hard, compact, and 

 not porous apatite in great quantity exerts a far 

 teas effect in the same time than burnt bones ; and 



