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Story
November 7, 1859
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Explanation of Justus von Liebig's views on manure's scientific meaning and essential properties for soil fertilization, including mineral matter, ammonia, carbonic acid, and physical texture, as reported in the New York Tribune.
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Manures.
Liebig teaches that the word "manure," like "phlogiston," has no scientific meaning and that the necessity for manure is not, as a matter of course, a necessity for farm-yard dung. Those substances which we use for the fertilization of our fields have one or more of the following essential properties:
I. Mineral matter, which may replace similar matter removed from the soil as a constituent of crops.
II. Ammonia and carbonic acid, actual or potential, which may render the mineral matter of the soil more easily available to plants.
III. A fibrous or granular condition which modifies the physical texture of the soil by incorporation with it. Farm-yard manure has all these properties. If it contain enough mineral matter for the entire supply of the crop produced by the field to which it is applied, then its accessory effects—those of its ammonia and carbonic acid, and its organized structure—are advantageous. If on the contrary, the mineral constituents are only sufficient for a portion of the crop, then the effect of the ammonia, &c., is detrimental, inasmuch as, by inducing a larger growth, they cause the soil to be robbed of matters which are essential to its continued fertility. To correct this difficulty it is necessary to apply to the field enough mineral matter to supply the deficiency in the farm-yard manure.—New York Tribune.
Liebig teaches that the word "manure," like "phlogiston," has no scientific meaning and that the necessity for manure is not, as a matter of course, a necessity for farm-yard dung. Those substances which we use for the fertilization of our fields have one or more of the following essential properties:
I. Mineral matter, which may replace similar matter removed from the soil as a constituent of crops.
II. Ammonia and carbonic acid, actual or potential, which may render the mineral matter of the soil more easily available to plants.
III. A fibrous or granular condition which modifies the physical texture of the soil by incorporation with it. Farm-yard manure has all these properties. If it contain enough mineral matter for the entire supply of the crop produced by the field to which it is applied, then its accessory effects—those of its ammonia and carbonic acid, and its organized structure—are advantageous. If on the contrary, the mineral constituents are only sufficient for a portion of the crop, then the effect of the ammonia, &c., is detrimental, inasmuch as, by inducing a larger growth, they cause the soil to be robbed of matters which are essential to its continued fertility. To correct this difficulty it is necessary to apply to the field enough mineral matter to supply the deficiency in the farm-yard manure.—New York Tribune.
What sub-type of article is it?
Scientific Explanation
Agricultural Advice
What keywords are associated?
Manure
Liebig
Fertilization
Mineral Matter
Ammonia
Soil Texture
Farm Yard Dung
What entities or persons were involved?
Liebig
Story Details
Key Persons
Liebig
Story Details
Liebig explains that 'manure' lacks scientific meaning and outlines three essential properties of fertilizers: replacing mineral matter in soil, providing ammonia and carbonic acid to make minerals available to plants, and improving soil texture. Farm-yard manure possesses all, but may require supplemental minerals to prevent soil depletion.