Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/150

126&#93; making this profitable substitute, consists in adding one-fourth of pot-ash dissolved in a little water, to three quarts of quenched lime. Whether this process has been found generaily successful, we have not been able to ascertain.

Torural Coon tani ashes have.since the days of Vines, been considered as one of the best, and easiest, means of fertilizing land; yet many ebdiections have been starteal, by modern writers, against their use; probably because ‘they were indis-

erimin: ney employed for ald kinds of sot!, whether moist or dry, cold or warm, loose or clayey. Hence we need not be surprized that asriculturists have diflered in opinion on this subject. Without cetaninyg the reader with speculalions concerning the manner in which ashes aét on the soil, in pronioting its fertility, we shall bri iefly observe, on the authori ity of the best writers, supported by expetieuce:

1. That vegetable ashes, in ge-

neral, are most effectual fer manurng moist, cold, boggy, marshy, or wicultivated soils.

2. That ashes are no less fit for manure, after the sali is extracted from them, than before; and, if there be a ary diticrence, it Is in favour of the washed ashes.

An anonymous correspondent ia the Gentl. “Mag. for June, 1700,

appears to have derived the “Get

126]

init respectiag the advantages. of

peat-ashes in dressing land, and a method of preparing coal-ashes for the same purpose, from the Diefiviaire Economique, or the Family Dictionary, translated trom the French by the Iate Prof. Braptuery, of Cambridge, and published in 3725. In this curious work, which equally abounds with excellent and

ASH

frivolous remarks, we find the fofs lowing passage: <‘‘Turf and peat anes must needs be very rich, much after the same manncr as burning of fand.” Perhaps it is in consequence of this suggestion, that we find in the Magazine before alluded to, an account of too interesting a nature to withhold it from our readers.

Peat-ashes, properly burnt, afford an excellent manure for both corn and grass-land; but the most valuable are those obtained from the lowest stratum of the peat, where the fibres and roots of the earth ave most decayed. This will yicid a large quantity of very strong ashes, of a colour, when recently burnt, resembling vermilion, and of a very saline and pungent taste. Great care and caution should be used in burning these ashes, and likewise in preserving them for future use. The method of burning them is similar to that of making charcoal. Atter the peat is colle&ted into a large heap, and covered so as not to flame out, it must be suffered to consume slowly, til the whole substance is reduced to ashes. Thus burnt, they are found excellent in sweetening sour meadow-land, destroying rushes, and other bad kinds of weeds, and producing in their place great quanlities of excellent grass. In some parts of Berkshire and Lancashire, they are considered one of the best ores 3s for spring crops.

very great np may tieesebe made, and ata moderate expence, with coal-askes, which, when properly preserved, are a most usetul article for manure. By putting one busne] cf lime, in its hottest state, into every cart-load of these ashes, covering it up ir the middle of the heap for about twelve