THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



355 



in lime. The less vigorous vegetation of the 

 grasses, and clover, the prevalence of pine, 

 broom grass and poverty grass are generally 

 a sufficient indication of the want of lime in 

 a soil. Still, the few experiments with lime 

 have not been of a conclusive or satisfactory 

 character. If applied without analysis to as- 

 certain the composition of the lime, or upon 

 soils without a knowledge of their origin, they 

 were certainly empirical; from which no safe 

 conclusion can be drawn. 



Those striking benefits which have followed 

 the application of lime in the tide water dis- 

 trict, may be expected on all of the naturally 

 poor soils o& other sections. It was the re- 

 mark of Dr. Anderson, an eminent practical 

 chemist of Scotland, that he had never met 

 with a poor soil in its natural state, which was 

 not benefited in a very great degree by calca- 

 reous matter, when administered in proper 

 quantities. Experience, he says, has proved 

 that by this one operation, such poor land may 

 be raised in money value eight times, or from 

 five shillings to forty shillings per acre of an- 

 nual rent.— [Professor Johnston, Ed. GLuarterlv 

 Journal, 1847-49, page 526.] The surface of 

 whole districts even, is sometimes doubled or 

 tripled in value by the use of lime alone — 

 barren sandy soils often admit of profitable 

 cultivation after lime has been added.— [Prof. 

 Johnston, Edinburgh GXuar. Journal, 1847-49, 

 p. 52G.] In the larger portion of the Atlantic 

 slope the leading strata and prevailing flora 

 would indicate the necessity for lime; and, 

 wherever this deficiency exists, abundant ob- 

 servation and experience prove, that it must 

 be supplied as the basis of permanent im- 

 provement and profitable agriculture. With 

 the lights before us, we are compelled to state 

 the case hypolhetically, and to deduce conclu- 

 sions from analogy. Science has not yet de- 

 lineated these areas, and agriculture is still 

 misled by isolated and conflictingexperiments. 



The members of this Society have assumed 

 the high and noble position of public bene- 

 factors. They have commenced the laudable 

 task of improving the agriculture of the State, 

 developing her resources, diffusing scientific 

 and practical information with an energy that 

 must command the admiration and respect of 

 every citizen. Let me urge upon the Society 

 that the information shall be founded upon 

 correct geological maps and accurate chemi- 

 cal analyses. Our public improvements are 

 penetrating the limestone formations in almost 

 every direction, preparing to furnish the sup- 

 ply, as soon as the farmer has learned upon 

 what soils lime may be profitably applied. 



I cannot more strongly illustrate the impor- 

 tance of this branch of the subject, than by 

 some reference to the Agricultural Chemistry 

 Association of Scotland.— [Edinburgh Journal 

 of Agriculture, 1845-47, page 254, &c] This 

 Association numbered nearone thousand mem- 

 bers, composed of the most intelligent farmers 

 and many of the most distinguished men of 

 science. Its chief object was to afford far- 

 12 m 



mers analyses at a cheap rate— upon the ac- 

 curacy of which they could rely— of soils, 

 manures and other substances — to carry on 

 investigations bearing on the science and ge- 

 neral interests of agriculture— and to diffuse 

 information thus collected by public lectures, 

 familiar letters and conversations. During 

 the first two years of its existence near one 

 thousand analyses were made in the labora- 

 tory — seventy public lectures were delivered 

 by Professor Johnston, in different districts of 

 Scotland, to audiences composed chiefly of 

 farmers. Many conversational discussions 

 were held, and many letters transmitted to dif- 

 ferent sections, accompanied by advice of a 

 practical character, which the analyses were 

 fitted to suggest, or his own observation of the 

 agriculture of different districts rendered va- 

 luable. He was aided in his laboratory by 

 several assistants, and in the field by many 

 accurate geological surveys— the composition 

 of the marls, limes, manures, crops and soils 

 was determined by analyses — an intelligent 

 body of farr^rs gave their aid in accurate and 

 well conducted experiments; and their united 

 efforts led to important results in the judicious 

 improvement of their soils, and in the profita- 

 ble returns of agriculture. They have ele- 

 vated agriculture into that position amongst 

 the sciences, in which rational conclusions 

 may be drawn from well conducted experi- 

 ments: and such, I trust, will soon be the po- 

 sition which the agriculture of our own State 

 shall occupy, by means of the efforts of this 

 Society. 



A knowledge of the origin and composition 

 of the soil of those inorganic substances which 

 constitute the ashes of plants, and the compo- 

 sition of the various manures, are all-impor- 

 tant to success. But the organic elements of 

 plants— oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and nitro- 

 gen— must, also, claim attention. The sources 

 from which plants derive their oxygen and 

 hydrogen are not of practical value to the far- 

 mer, as they constitute water, and as oxygen 

 is supplied from so many sources. Carbon 

 and nitrogen are important elements, and the 

 sources from which plants derive their supply 

 must be carefully considered. 



The carbon constitutes nearly one-half by 

 weight of all dry vegetable substances. This 

 leading substance of all plants is derived from 

 carbonic acid, in much the largest proportion 

 from the atmosphere which surrounds them, 

 and by assimilation through their leaves. The 

 roots of the plants may furnish a questionable,, 

 but at any rate, a small proportion.— [Somer- 

 ville's Physical Geography, 298; Liebig.] The 

 atmosphere which surrounds their leaves is 

 the great source from which carbon is sup- 

 plied—from which nearly one-half in weight 

 of all cultivated crops is derived. Yet the at- 

 mosphere contains only one-thousandth of it s 

 weight of carbonic acid. For this small sup- 

 ply there is a constant struggle by all vegeta- 

 ble creation. It is necessary to the growth of 

 plants, and they will not flourish in an atmos- 



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