Alexandria Gazette

Reply to Dr. Baldwin's Essay on Agriculture

An interesting thesis appeared in the Enquirer of March 23d, from the pen of a learned member of the Medical profession: the object of which is to elicit enquiry on the important subject of fertilizing the earth.

The grand agent in the operation is, according to the writer, "shade," as through its potent influence "every farmer may fertilize every acre which he can cultivate." It is deeply gratifying to us, that minds naturally of no ordinary calibre, stored with the rich materials afforded by modern science, can be brought to bear on our homely art. While we welcome him into the arena of agricultural discussion, I respectfully undertake, though not as well qualified as the Editor of the Plough, Loom and Anvil, to examine the different positions "based on practical facts, which have passed under his personal observation, while directing his thoughts to agricultural subjects."

Proposition first, denies that carbonic acid of the atmosphere affords the principal nutriment to any plant which the farmer is interested in cultivating, and affirms that there must be "manure at the root." As the well established result of putting manure at the root of plants is an evolution of carbonate of ammonia, and as low places, and those most abundant in carbonic acid, exhibit the rankest vegetation: and, finally, as plants notoriously abound in carbonic acid, or its elements, we are warranted in the affirmation, that this gas is an important agent in sustaining vegetable life; it is not infinitely important to agricultural science to prove it the principal aliment.

Proposition second, points out manure as the only food of plants—manure being here defined the residue of putrefaction”—water, oil, carbon, the salts, acids and alkalies, are excluded from the list of manures, not being the "residue of putrefaction," and never having been proved to be the aliment of plants. &c. I object to the learned Doctor's definition of manure: it will be admissible neither with us, who depend solely on the soil for the sustenance of our families, nor with the philosopher in his laboratory. Farmers mean by manure, any substance which, applied to crops, improves their growth—leached ashes, marl, soot, soap-suds and brine, are all valuable manures, yet not one of them the "residue of putrefaction." One of the salts thus denied a place among vegetable aliments is sulphate of lime; this is not only a manure, a real pabulum, nourishing especially every member of the clover tribe, but found invariably in the ashes and remains of such plants as are most benefitted by its application. To say that a substance which promotes the health and growth of an animal or plant, and which is found to be an invariable constituent thereof, is not among their aliments, is to assert a paradox. Sulphate of lime, commonly called Gypsum or Plaster of Paris, is, therefore, a manure, and still not the residue of putrefaction.

Proposition 3d. teaches that different vegetables, during their growth, do not extract different salts from the earth: if this were true, common salt would equally benefit asparagus and the turnip, and plaster would be no less beneficial to wheat than to clover, and, ceteris paribus, the same salts would exist in all vegetables: a result opposed to every day's experience. Lands exhausted—beyond the profitable cultivation of certain crops sometimes pay better under others. Where corn, palmachristi, flax, &c. refuse remunerative amounts, buckwheat, peas and oats often return the poor tenant something for his labor.

Proposition 4th, which promises to enrich poor lands, without manure, will be hailed with joy by many an occupant of poverty-stricken domains; let us hope that the Doctor may at an early day favor us with the modus operandi.

Proposition 5th, which denies disintegration of the soil during repose, is abundantly controverted by every winter's frosts: as long as heat expands and cold contracts, disintegration must progress with greater or less rapidity; hygrometric changes contribute to the result. As to "formation of alkalies" I know of no such action either with or without cover; there will be elimination of alkaline carbonates in most cases, and more without than with cover.

Proposition 6th, fails for reasons stated.

Proposition 7th. It is undeniable that many learned chemists have, in their analyses and deductions, lost sight of the vital principle, and often failed to promote the interests of agriculture; but, again by their laborious investigations they have shed a world of light on the long neglected art. Among the farmer's greatest benefactors must be classed those learned chemists who have taught us how to sweeten sour lands by alkaline re-agents, how to redeem from sterility soils overcharged with chalk, lime, copperas or other salts. Shade will not work such results; indeed, where acidity and moisture are conjoined, shade is injurious.

Proposition 8th, claims too much for shade as an improver. In certain localities, and amid circumstances already enumerated, the direct rays of the sun are indispensable to the amelioration of the soil and production of crops.—The proponent is in error when he declares that "putrefactive fermentation cannot be produced without shade." Animal and vegetable bodies will rarely fail to putrify when warmth, air and moisture are supplied. Deprive them of the vital principle, and shade will be unnecessary, though by no means without utility, toward their conversion into manure. It is further stated, that no fertility can, in any manner, be imparted to the earth independent of its influence”—viz: of shade. I would ask, in what way a copious sprinkling of urine can be connected with shade, in producing such wonderful fertility?

Proposition 9th. That the earth can be converted into manure by shading it. Is this owing to nitrification or putrefaction?

Proposition 10th. In those cases where shade affects the soil favorably, it must depend somewhat on the period of application, whether the effect be more or less permanent than fertility produced by other means.

Proposition 11th. The assertion that "surface earth or mould," charged as it is with vegetable remains, is not the result of vegetable decomposition, is a novel one. A detail of the facts on which it is based would be acceptable alike to philosophers and farmers.

Proposition 12th. That difference in fertility in forest soils arises from the degree of density of shade solely, will prove to be a most difficult theorem. A little examination of the young growth of a recent clearing, or incipient forests among the prairies, will lead to the conviction, that difference in the prevailing growth is rather a consequence than the cause of different fertility.

Proposition 13th. If there be in existence plants which, by their 'shade, more than compensate the soil for the loss of elements, they will supersede all at present in use. Rank clover is a fine shader, but if you extirpate it totally from the field, barrenness will be the issue of the experiment.

Proposition 14—The view here presented as to the natural means of renovation of poor land is very probably correct. It offers the only cheap renovater of worn out old fields.

Proposition 15th—The number of acres fertilizable by the exclusive use of domestic means must depend ceteris paribus, on the skill and economy in the preparation and application of manures—as the natural supply of materials varies infinitely, the number must vary in proportion.

Proposition 16th—It is doubtless the perfection of the rural art to fertilize every acre we cultivate, provided we support our families in the meantime.

But does not this talented contributor claim too much for shade? It is an important agent in nitrification and no less essential to the preservation of moisture. In all cold, sour, rushy or peaty lands, shade is decidedly objectionable, and free admission of the sun's hottest rays highly important.

Jethro Tull attributed all things to pulverization. The celebrated Liebig claimed everything for ammonia; and Dr. Baldwin would send us all to the shades, before we can obtain means of fertilizing our barren soils.

J. L. D.