Newspapers / The North-Carolina Star (Raleigh, … / Nov. 17, 1852, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of The North-Carolina Star (Raleigh, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
T IRTH-CMOLINA TH0I1S J. !.Ein, Edil- SORTS C1B0LIM "Powtrfal li fattllttlnal, moral tad physical rrtonrm, the laid at tnr iim lad heme af tar arfrrlioM." TEBIS-Twa Bulimia ldmn. VOL. XLIII. UALEIGII, WEDNESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 17,' 1S52. NO. 47. mm BTAIt TEK3!iS.lf paid slnclly in satvaam, ft yr ss I tt it if'psU withi fit months) ul 1 al tat a4 vf the yrsr. "' " lr," ADVEKTISTXO. 1 8nre(18 Ht) tllnerti. (I, tail I sents forsse MbMqnal Intcrtlos. Dtlivtrcd bffurt the Pdgeemnbe Agricultur al Secitty, at tVt "Annual .Vetting Jor 1852, .-, "..., BY Dr. JA8. J.PIllixlPS. Gentlemen oj tht Etlgrtomfit Agricul tural Society I Your partiality has assign ed to m ilia tluty of addressing you to-dav the third of our annual meeting. If I had keen left free to follow the prompting of my wn judgment, tr the impulses of my will, thi duty would hare devolved upon a wiser head and more experienced hand than mine ; but foil liars made it my duty, as urh I regard it, and endeavor to fultil il to the best of my ability. . From Iim J immemorial agriculture hastieen panned as an. an t but, it is only of recent slate, thai attempt have been made to found it upon scientific principles a and it may pro per) be rcgaided as a sciotie. In il infer cy Agriculture embrace within lis circle. Bota ny, Geology, i'hysics. Vegetable Physiology,' Mechanics, and Chemistry, a its correc tives ; and however much il may be in its j infancy as a science, as il is founded upon or connected wilh these, we may very properly ! term il a conglomerate science, which re-f quires much intesiigation of nature's laws. The subject which I have selected fur your consideration" to-day, is that of Chemistry; and the value, and importance of a knowl edge of its laws and grneral principle, to iho surccsslul anil scientific agriculturist. Chehistrv had its origin in the cupidity of man. We are informed that it was prac tised, as early as llit) third century, under the title of alchemy th. tecrel or occult iin ; with the view of discovering imn ivair. hv which the baser mctalt could bo converted : inlo the more "Valuable, ' It continued in lin ger in this dark siale until the thirteenth ccn I tury from winch time until the seventeenth century, il was sought by its operations, not I only,to-4ransinule the bi'ser metals into the more precious, but to discover universal' solvent or alkahest, a universal remedy for all the diseases of man ; and many other ri diculons things, which are now advened lo as only the dark visions of the past. In 1774 the brilliant discovery made by Dr. Priestly of oxygen gas, as an elementary principle, caused the scientific world to direct the attention to Chcjiiisly more than before ; and to seek by its operations. Tor other and and nwdiseriverirt tfuTu which period to llie present time, its progress as a science has been onward and rapid, and its discoveries al most innumerable. Chemistry is the science of matter, and eonseqiiently is of vast scope, and as bound less as manor itself. By it alone- can we discover the nature, properties, and elenren - ury ftiuuipW-of -U--miHeml ubtnce ; and die phenomena of their various changes, and mutual action. As the dealing with muter is the primary occupation of Mian, il surely becomes a first or primnay duty of man to investigate those laws snd general principles which influence and govern matter. By it alone can he act understandiiigty in agriculture, or many other limit lies of business , for many of the most common operations, performed in lhjjl:rtry ' round nf business of the farm of the agricul turist, fir even the domestic duties of the housewife, . must come under, and ac knowledge the influence and force of chemi cal laws. The aucienta who had not the lights of chemistry, believed tha't ihere were but four elementary substances ( by its operations however we are taught, that .the elementary substances, now, are known to '; num ber sixty-five. By conventional usage these etematry substances are olassed into the inorganic, and organic : the' first" hav ing reference lo, or taking lliir names from their connection wilh. inanimate substsnces ; and the last, from being connected with life and organization. ., These last alone shall we consider to-day. as being those interesting to you as knowing, scientific and successful agri culturists. v r ' As we may hare frequent occasion before We get thrutigh, lo advert lo these Organic el ements, I request you to accompany me with your attention while we call them over: Manganese, Iron, Silicon, Alilminum, Magne sium, Calcium, Sodium- Pntasseum, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen," Chlorine, ' Fluorine, Carbon, Sulphur, and Phosphorus, - j Now, gentlemen, upon . all"tf these, or a part of these, combined in various, and dif ferent forma and proportions, must every ve getal)), and every animal indeed every thing of lifej depend fur its firmness, form, struc ture, organization, growth, and nainlainance of life. . These, organic elements, as you will dis cover, are but sixteen in number ; or if gen-1 llemen will have il so, there are but but sii ieen hard name to recollect ; but chemistry as science, must have its nomenclature or teehinieal lerms, or names of things, by which to describe, and convey an idea of the thing named to the mind ; and il cannot and should not ba expected of science lo sloop in its no menclature, to ihe capacity of all men t but it behooves man to raise his capacity, lo the joint of understanding the) terms and princi ples of that science, wb.ch is connected with his daily busine-a. A before ; remarked, these sixteen simple or elementary ' aubstanres constitution those elements, which enter into, and make up the orgsna, both of ihe vege table and animal kingdom 5 but their o(!ice does not erase here, they constitute the greater portion of these hint, rnrkv and eon- aolidated masses, which form alias tut crust of we earlli. . . : s., . ., v t Properly speaking, organic chemistry has reference to the result of the combination of Jheee elements in the living being, whfithr in an animal or egetable. to a when combined under ehemicaljaws, modified hy physical a fencies, and the forces of life, to produce a new substance, which is deposited fr Mrno tore end growth, and eonsequendy becomes "ganized matter. It not only tenches os the lemenUry. constituents of which these or fsnte compounds are formed, but the nature the growth, and cause of the arious 'binge, which are eonstandy going on in the living vegetable, by renovation ami decay : Of Ui 4,Jiio W . ottuef, 4vhri nation of that which is either thrown off as oKw lo vegetable life, or a effete or use- less toin organization Mineral) and earth, I are taken np or absorbed into to vegelabl. i ami deposited as chemical agents and fur ihe soliilily snd firmness of its stamina, and inlo i 1 . j r its seed or young to answer some wise pur pose, for the continuance of its species, hv promoting its growth in the esily period of germination, neiore tne leaner emtirj n has ac quired vigor to shoot a radicle, into the earth, All that is left of Ihe 'Vegetable, however, by destructive combustion, is known ss lha ash or inorganic matter of the vegetable.. Now, gentlemen, as it is the prim$ryJiusi. ness of an architect, when aboul to eretl a building, 10 begin at ihe sill, and brace work; and square that up, as a foundation upon which his superstructure is to be formed: so even at the risk of becoming tiresome to yon, or being inyseir charged with pedantry, I pur pose lo lake up these elements under cursory 1 review, and show some of their properties and use Id you as tanners. I 0 tome or ou who have not devoted any attention to chem istry, this detail must appear uninteresting at first, but il is my object to impress your minds wilh the great importance of a knowl edge of these, elements of organization, and the laws by which they are governed, that you may pursue their investigation al your leisure, as tie fundamental principles of agri culture.. And should T he so fortunate as to interem your minds lo this pursuit; and thai you shall find the subject al first difficult of comprehension, and even the names hard to retain, I assure you it is because you have mil mule yourself acquainted wilh the avail sbls value of the articles named, to agricul ture under the rule nf science. In your intercourse with your family 'li)" sirisn. )0 1 hae not only lea-ncd the names nf many medicines, and the proper use nf such medicines; but many other technical terms in reference 10 descases. Suppose gen- tlemeu, you had not hid this free intercourse j doubt dial many ul" tin unproi'uctive soils ol with your physician, and had not madu your- otfr county, can, by chemical analysis, be dis solves acquainted wilh calome1, jalap.quinine, covered In possess only i trace ol lime, though and others of like class j iheie indeed would J lying adjacent lo, or even over a marl bed. Now be called hard names; and when named, they I gentlemen, no soil can be relied upon as pro would convey no idea to the mind of their I djctive, which is deficient in this necessary proper value i but they are now- as familiar ingredient. To many ol those vegetables cul to you as household words, and nut only so, livaied, it is llie r primary basis 10 rely upon ; you ate so well informed of tln-ir value and and is necessary to all, hence it becomes ol properties, mat you prescribe tliein 111 your families', willi a certainty, in view of the re- s, that you prescribe tliein in your I suit of their action. This knowledge you have acquired nut by reading, not by the stu dy of medicine as a science : but it has been gradually instilled into your minds by your physician, in a way for which you are hardly able 10 account. ( Now gentlemen, man cannot suddenly leap into a knowledge nf science, or llie rules of science ; he must be gradually led on step by step, as s child must he led by the hand in his first efforts at walking ; and I assure you it is my candid belief, lha! every agricultural community should have an agricultural chem ist located in their midst to lead them on step hy step tneorrectrxperitnanlal results. At any rates until by a proper analysis of the soil, ot one sample for every live or ten miles tqirarerbtrt a sample- fet xe ry -field, and. if the field is large with a variety of soil, several analyses should he made ; he should inlorm himself 'of what ingredients such soil is defi cient, or what il differs from a well balanced soil in ihe inorganic aud organic vegetable material. As il is the first duty of a physician to dis cover in what the system deviates from health, lhal he may ascertain the cause, and fix .the location nf disease, beforeJie can pre seribe uiiderstandingly for its cure : sn it is Iho first duly of every farmer to have a pro per and correct analysis of his soil, thauhe may be able to ascertain in what ingredient il deviates, from a well balanced soil lhal he ma v apply ihe deficient material. The first of these elementary substance which we shall take up is manganese. MaNQAMtsg is a metal or metalie j base. It is extensively diffused through nature, though not in large quantities, compared wilh many other metals, Il is seldom or never found in the earth iu Us pure metalie state; but combined wish oxygen gas forming the oxide of manganese. Trace of it are found both in the animal and vegetable kingdom. It atomic weight i . to lhat of hydrogen ga al 28 to 1 : or in other words, an atom of hy dsogen gas, the lightest of all known substan ces being one, an at tin of maganeae is 28 timea heavier thin that. Iron is a metal, seldom or never found however iu its metalie state, in estate of na ture : but combined wilh oxygen gas, forming the oxyde of "iron with carbonic acid form ing the carbonate of iron. A I other timet il is found united with sulphur in 'us state of ore, forming ihe iron pyrites.- Il is found ex tensively diffused in ihe (oil, and it it from the presenco of the oxyde of iron that most of the soils take their red or brown color. Its atomic weight is a 28 to. I, compared with hydrogen. Iron enter as a constituent both of th animal and vegetable, and if indispen sable u its structure and growth. Silicon i tanked a a metal, though it teem lo possess Ihe qualities in many thing of an' acid. When united with oxygen gas, the form in which we more commonly meet with it in the earth, as sand, quartz sand, or silix, it forms die nxde ol silicon, snd constitutes a large portion of the 1ianl substances of the anh, and rocky masses of mountainous coun tries. In a certain state it it soluble, and en ters freely through the absorbent of many, il not all vegetable. (To iho stalk, leaves, and huvk cohering the grain, it gives a hardness, firmness and glossiness ; and performs lhal office to Ihe vegetable in giving firmness to its structure, that lime does to Ihe snimal in giv ing firmness lo the bony structure. It unites freely with lime, soda, potash, "and other ol lhat class forming with these substances sili cates, in which stale it is rendered more solu ble : and it more readily taken up by the ab sorbents of ihe vegetable. Its atomic weight is to that of hydrogen a S3 to I. Aluminum is a metalie base ; chemically united with oxygen gas in the proportion" of t atoms of aluminum to 8 atoms of oxogeu gas, it form alumina or the clay of the (oil, and, I suppose upon an average it makes about one nth of what we call stiffclsy toil. Insanity soils th per oenl. of alumina is small and comparatively much less Aluminum enter into mineral, and form part of their body i hence it i very rare to find a lock or even flint, that doe not contain portion of it ' Alumina or clay, perform an important part in ihe growih of vegetables by it proper ties of absorbing 10 a great extent, water and fntf'fcrilha'niggasest'wnseiv -ttetaioswrthgreal tenacity for die growth of plant. By some wnlcr il has been contended, thai it doc not enler into ihe vegetable, nor form any pari of its constituency but chemical liulvm has .i .......,....,, :i i.. .i. i r i discovered il In the ash of many plants, in some pronahly accidentally. Many sulistan ecs however, which ate not considered as de cidedly necesrary lo the vegetable ronsiitiitinn, as lesd and others, have been found in the ash of vegetables. Clay united with, silex or sand, constitutes the mean bed of all soils, u which it requires the. addition of all per cent of the fertilising minerals, or alkalies. a that of potash, lime, soda aad others of thai class and their compounds lo constitute a productive and well balanced soil in the inorganic elements. ' whenever the proper organic material is1 brought in connection. The atomic weight of aluminum is to that nf hydrogen as 14 to 1. Magnesium, is a metalie hase. It is belter known as magnesia, which is a compwmd of one atom of magnesia and one of oxygen gas. Il exists pleutfiilly in soil: and rocks and is found in the ash of nearly cover thai it is designed to fulfil some iinptit tanl part in the vegetable kingdom, indeed with some plants il is a primary constituent of' the inorganic materials. I he atomic weight of magnesium is lo that of hydrogen g.is as 13 to 1. C ilcium is likewise a metalie base. When united wilh oxvgen gas in Ihe proportion of an atom of each, it formsjha oxyde of lime, or what is ordinarily known as quick lime. I.inie unites with water in the proportion ol 3 In I , which constitutes the hydrate of lime, l.ime in union with carbonic acid forms car bonate of lime or chalk ; with sulphuric arid, snlphate ofjlme or plaster' of pari ; with phos phoric acid, phosphate of lime 01 bone earth. In Ihe soil it is often nl rmically united with silica, enisiiiiitiiig the silicate of lime. Lime exists ahuudautlv in nature, but is irregularly diflnsed; in soi.ie soils il exists abundantly: in in others, on-lv a trace oi it is iound. I have no mucn importance to Ihe agriculturists to know whether his soil hasoruotja due proportion of iu I.imci constitutes a nortion ol the rocky formations, and is found in the a-h of nearly all vegetables. Iu atomic weight 10 hydro gen is 20 to 1. Nodiuin is a metal or metalie base. When united with oxvgen gas in the proportion of an atom of each, it becomes what is more famil iarly ki vn as soda. Chemically united with acids, it forms a class of neutral Salts ; as i" with carbomtraeid, carbonate" uf "Srth ; with sul phuric acid, sulphate of soda ; with chlorine. chloride of soda, or sea sail wilh which you are all quite laminar, feoda rxisi? in Ihe anil, and is found iu Ihe ash nf most of out cultivated plants; as such we must view it at a iiecen snry material in the soil in a free or available swue. rtsaionuc weigui 10 hydrogen 1 as Mo 1. Potassium' 1 is hkewiser-corrsidiTTd-- tnetel or metalie base. Chemically united wilh cx- ygen gas in equivalent proportion of atoms, it constitutes pntassa, or potash. Potassium has so strong an affinity for oiygen gas, that when thrown in water or even upon ice, its union with the oxygen of the water is so rapid thai il burns with a beautiful flame., until the potassium hai acquired from Ihe water an equivalent atomic proportion of its oxygen to satisly ihe laws ol chemical affinity in union withitseil. Uut I hud I am (Imposed lo digress from the main object hi view, ,and will return to it again : for il is with these elements or iibsUncesipplied to agriculture, or the growth of plants, that we lo-day have In deal. I need not gentlemen, impress on you the importance nf having a due portion of potash ie. your soils. lor a lull maturity ol vegetable growth. Y on are now aware of it, as is evidenced hy die free application of ashes lo your soils. A chemical analysis of ihe ssh of all vegetables, except tome-df tfcose of the tea or ocean, es tablishes lha fact tint potash constitutes an in- dispensable lortinn of llie vegetable kingdom. Its atomic weight is to hydrogen as 30 to I and the heaviest in atomic weight of any of those inorganic elements, which are consider ed necessary to organized structure, or living beings. Chlorine is a gas. Its atomic w.eight as weight at compared with hydrogen gns is as 35 lo 1. Chlorjine has the properties ol am acid, and as such forms a class of haloid salts, when united wilh bases, knwn as chlorides, in which state il is necessary, lo form, hasten. or stimulate vegetable growth. We ar in formed by baron llumholdl, the eminent his torian and scientific traveller, .that old seed, which could not be made lo germinate by any other process,Jgerminaied promptly when steep ed in a weak solution of chlorine in water, and grew off finely. Should not farmers avail themselves of this hint, snd use salt more freely in their compost manure t A com bination of one bushej of tall to three of lime, with the addition of waler, lo render ihe com bination a soluble mass, is an invaluable ma nure, when united wilh muck or decomposed vegetable matter.. Salt is a compound of chlo rine andsbda, bul, whi n we receive il T.rxC;. pared by the ev.iit'irmWin of sea water it has united with it, nli .tb saline compounds of ihe sea water; as tint nf chloride of magne sia, sulphate of magnesia, carbonate of lime, and sometimes a trace of the salt of inn. 80 gentlemen, you will discover tint sea tall contains many and valuable fertilizers. ' ' Fluorine is a gat and exist -in nature com bined with lime. It atomic weight 10 hydro den is IU lo I and when these two elements are tlmt united, il forms a powerful solvent of silica, or sand, and is the only article known lhat ill dissolve glass. When fluorine is united with lime, il forms a portion ul Ihe struc ture of the bones of animal, and can be easily detected in thetr-teeth ; and at animals de rive, their nourishment from the - vegetable kingdom, it must be derived from this source. It i thought however lhal fluorine perform but t small part in vegetable chemistry. , ' Sulphur i a substance well known to you it atomic weight as compared with hydro gen la a 10 to I. Sulphur has a very ex tensive range of affinity, Il combine with the metal forming the sulphate ! wilh oxy gen fas in the proportion nf one atom of aulpur lo 3 atom ol oxygen gas, it forms sul phuric acid, or the oil of vitriol of commerce, Thi sulphuric acid initi!S ..to alkaline. and metilic bate, to form numerous class of salt known at the u!pbatbvv wubJuniv iron and others, many of winch .ar valua ble to the agriculturist when properly applied. Sulphur is I'lund both in plant and animils, and is sn essential ingredient in all soils f vegetable growih. Phophiirus is a reinarkihlft Substance, and it it quite" probable thai the cilice which it fullils in the phenomena of nature is not half known. We however, kroi thai il forms a very important part in the regeluble mid animal economy. United with oxygen gas in the proportion nf one atom of phosphorus, to 5 of oxygen gas, il constitutes phosphoric acid 1 which acid wlion united to a base, forms a class of compounds known as the phosp ites as that of phosphate of lime, or bone earth. It exists in soils and is known lo constitute a pari of the vegetable structure, as well ss that of Ibe animal ; and its ores- rore indue proportion in all soils is consider-1 ed indispensable 10 vegetable growih atomic weight is as 82 to 1 compared with hydrogen. These gentlemen, are those ele- ) hence we ditv)enlary substances, which r usually foiind.i mi the ash of vegetables by combination and arc considered iho inorganic material. Oilier elements are sometimes found to be present as that of iodine in some of the marine plants, but ns t'iry are not thought material lo organ- ized structure, or nrginiz-ilion, ihey are mil classed or conside.ed as of primary nec si ly. But gentlemen, the four most maietfcd-Lnieroiis jubilances are vet to be taken under ronsid eralinn: Ihey are the true material of growth and are properly termed ihe alphabet of veg etable chemistry. They are iiydrogsn, car bon, oxygen mid niiwgen. Tiles are llie true organic elements ibe material of grtwih; without which nn organic eelU could not be formed, nor exist either in the vegetable or' animal kingdom. The first which we shall tar up is oxygen. Oxygen gas exists extensively in nature, and figures more largtly, in union or connec tion witfi other elenieniary substances-, than any odier; indeed n must have something In do with almost every change, lhal is going on in the material world, li may be well term ed the elemental monarch, among elements. It ciMiinttites near oiie-l'ourlh id' the atmos phere eight-niiilhs of all water, wherever Iniin I, either in earth, air, pr the deep expan sive rcean united chemically vtith minerals and earlli, it constitutes nearlf one-half of the solid crust of out globe, ju which Y&rrtjJiluj. uuour auila, and iit- cmbin44n wilhll fVr must lake their foot-hold, and upon which an- ( mcntiiig innnure, contaiuing nitrogenous and iinals must-perform their daily round of lo comotion. It is indeed so extensively diffus ed, that it is hard to say where it is not to be found It is chemically uiiitud with the clothes on our bodies which uffnrd us warmth, with our houses which shelter us Irom llie inclem ency of the boisterous elements without, tho' itself giving more than half the force and pow cr'to flibse elehienrs.7 ""Webrrjrthc itiCjt T(, we Jfiiili It, and we wear It; anil not only lhat, wo walk upon il with a careless and un mindful step. It is the supporter of combus tion, and of respiration with animals; with out il we e:Hild not build a fire fnr our warmth; neither could animal or vegetables continue to live au J gentlemen, but jut think nf it this is only 'an invisible gas which pecfurms so wonderful a part in nature. mu4u.iaxyjren.xas:ia sit essential in the support of lifeunder whatsoever shape il may" he found, either in the animal or vegetable kingdom: it yet performs a most destructive office In all comlriuaiion of mailer: andMir this destructive force, or chemical action, nf oxygen gas upon other matter, are the forces ol life kept in proper balance, and continued healthy action. As soon si any mats of mat ter becomes united under llie force of Ule, and physical action, so a lo form a system either of the vegetable or animal, the chemical chan ges which take place are remarkable, and wonderful indeed. As soon at life begins, the power of the Jitnd of death is prorlajined, and never for a moment absent. While tennva liou, in tbe addition nf new elementary mai ler, is being constantly applied by absorption, we see the emunetories or the cxhalents, per forming a counter action, that of throwing off the effete, useless or dead matter, whjch has hul just past the round of circulation. This "action nf absorption and exhalation, aa one of tho phenomena or liTe. i equally applicable lo the vegetable and animal, snd differs only in mode and degree, under complicated organism, and varied functional action. In youth or the growing period of life, both in the animal andrgilabls, the power of the ab sorbents is greater than the exhalenta, so far as to afford a deposition of matter taken up for their growth: until that period fixed .by an all-wise being shall arrivn when the re verse action takes place, the function nf ab sorption become weak, worn down, rtinova lion cannot he kpt up. while iho lawt of de cay are ever aelire. So gentlemen, yon will discover that as soon as we begin lo live, we begin to die, at soon, as life lakes his teat upon his throne, deaih proclaims hiejaw; and llie most active agent under this law is oxy gen gn. ' An animal confined in oxygen ga, breathe rapidly, heat is raised, a feverish excitement prevails; he lire fastIivet much in few rointitrs: but the carbonaceous matter in hi system is soon hnrnl tip or emisumed in llm scl of respiration, a loss of. balance take place- ami an early death is the result, W daily wiinen, whal we call the action of the air or atmosphere upon dead vegetable matter; or the rolling of wood in it various lages of decay. Thi change t due lo oxy gen gat, and it as much "a process of combus tion a when fuel i thrown into the fire, and seen In heeome le and less y degrees un til nothing I '"ft but its , inorganic ia ler. The rotting nf wood difftrs from its combus tion only in degree; the first it slow, the Inst it quick and rapid; in the first, heat is given out slowly and imperceptibly to our tenses; in llie last, it is cvolrcd rapidly and percepti bly; but a log of wood in ratling, or under the slow action of oxygen gas, must, and docs, under fixed lw of nature, eliminate as much heat at when being consumed by fire hence it it imperceptible, thai soils may be rendered wtrmer bf the free application of vegetable matter in a state of decomposition, snd in this way, the effect of climate ha been counter acted, and Edgcomb made more prnduetive of cotton. Though it is not my design, to say much upon the philosophi, or Hi action of a counterpart performed by the rays of light, 10 the destructive action of oxygen gas. . - The force of oxvgm ga it constantly di rected to the destruction ot, or reduction, of org ".nixed matter into it elementary principles! tl is is indeed a wise provision. If it were not for iflt deslr4c4ive bower of nxrge'ti g.i. the animal and vegetable aesiimulatioit. upon life, would ooo become great. And finally, .Ktooii as Ihe organic material a previous - ly prepared by oxygen Was worked up, n J production would cease, and both animals and vtveTables become extinct. ' As soon. hnwevcr. as oxygen gas disintegrates nutter, or reduces it to its molecular or elementary state, il is the ofSro of light to put il Irgcihor tinder life in new slate agsjn. ' A l l as oxygen gas can furnish'lhe dead or tuariinvtte matter in a sufficiently decomposed s ale. it is the office of light, assisted by other physical action, lo work up this matter into s renova ted state; and this action of light is supposed to exist more in the yellow ray than any other. If il were nut for this renovating piKcr of light, and the fjice nf oxygen gas should con tinue, it is perceptible likewise that life would soou reave upon this earth from ibis r inse, and all nature be dissolved -intrt her primitive elements. This antagonistic anion nf oxy gen gat and light, is but one- of the many laws, by which all nature it held In proper balance, and continued . moral action. The more vre .beeoina acquainted w)jh the laws nf nature the more are ws impress ed, with the awfully grand power, and won- Lcrffftl'l wisdom of thai being who is the eres l.tor it all things, and whose law is but the balance power of hit works. Oxygen gas. by union with various substances, loruitanu. class of acids; with sulphur, il forms sulphuric acid; wilh carbon, caihonic acid; wilh phosphorous, phosphoric acid; and so with others.. In atomic weight islo hydrogen gas al 8 to I. . , , Carbon. The diamond is ihe purest form in w hich carbon is known. We aro more fa miliarly acquainted with it, however, i t sn impure state, as coal or charcoal. Carbon exists abundantly in nature; and in union with oilier substances perforins an iingiorlaut pari in all nrganixed mailer. Indeed it may lie viewed as the basic element lo be anted up on by other eleinrnw, in Ihe formalin of or ganized material, for both plants and animals. When plants aro dried or dcpjksal of their water, charcoal, or carbon, constitutes tiesr oi.e-hall of their body, or n whal is left. It is rstiinafi d by Baron I.iebig, tlmt acubiein'h nf charcoal iniisl have, at least a itttiface of 100 squire feel,, wilhin ils pores. It isowiui itit- 10 lli'n porous state, lhal il has so nower absorbent qualities, and become so valuable ammonincal gases Of ammonia it has .the capacity of absorbing and condensing within it pores, ninety limes its own bulk; which it is reluctant to give up, except u the demands of the hungry plant. Hence from (his quali ty alone, it is ton much neglected hy farmers. Its action upon in in ii res is however unlike that of the. sulphates. Charcoal ' merely un otW-wrtriTrirt cltrmlrat action."" NUIphatf On lime, nr plaster ol puns, brings about a chem ical action the sulphate of lime is ilicnm- posed, and us sulphuric acid iiniti-t lolhe am monia, and formk the sulphate of ammonia, a fixed salt, notholaiile: tvhilo the carbonic acid eliminated front the decomposing veget able matter unite to Ihe lima making chalk. In tint stale the aimrmma- Can ba retained, and applied as fowl Iu the growing vegetable. Hence the expression so often used, that it requires siltptiaTe oT'lime, or pTastcr, to fix down the ammonia, and prevent its volaiiliia- tiott until Ihe demands ol lha vegetable lor it growth lake place. In union with oxygen gas it rorm several compounds, the sirnngosl nf which it car bonic acid, in which state il is, hy vegetables, required, a food, nr lo help in the formation of organized compounds. The ource of carbonic acid gas are abundant; at may be readily een, from the abundant quantity in nature of the two material which form it, and ihe formation loo nnsiaritiyfirkuig place hy the action of physical cause eveu at ail ordinary temperature. . Animals inhale at mospheric air and throw on carbonic, acid gat in the act of respiration. Plant perform a cnuntre part, they absorb carbonic acid. and IrTrow off oxygen gas. The atomic weight of carbon i at fl to' I, compared with hy drogeu,. - "" Nitrogen Gas. This ga is lighter than atmospheric acid, of which it constitutes iiuar threo fourths. We have mentioned the ac tivity of oxygen gas, the article which consti tutes nearlv the other fourth of ntinosnherie ... j .- ..... air; upon th vital forces nf an animal. It appears that one ol the design of wisdom, in combining nitrogen gaa with oxygen, in the above proportion, is to dilute it, n that the destrncivie action of oxygen shall he reduced 10 a slow poiiibuaiun) and that the balance of power shall not be destroyed between the leisomp-vunr e.Tvct of oxygen gas and the renovating bower af light. Nitrogen gat M quile carclos si'nl independent in it union with other aubstances; and when union is formed wilh them, its prone ness to escape is o great, lhat qnila unstable compound ri funned. It i quite an important clement in plant and enter a a constituent of their quart-mary compounds, a albumen, gluten and others. These nitn-genized or proteins ceous compounds of th vegetable, are th true flesh forming material of the animal. ' Nitrogen exist uilh muscle and lisaue ol snimais.nf which it constitute about seven. ken percent, lit atomic weight it at 14 to I. v " . .-'-? Hydrogen. Gas. W nave frequently re ferred to this gat at he lightest ol nil known simple substances. Ii is 1-14 of the weight of almospherie air. It is never found free or uiicombincd except by the force nf chemical action; but it esisl abundatply in combinition f other elemeuls, Ol walir it kw.:sliuits one-ninth of its weight. Hvdroaten it a na ceasary material lo both plains ami tniinals. lit atomic weight i assumed a one) which as being lha lightest of all simple substances, is taken as a basis hy which llie atomic weight of lli oilier i compared, . , i W nh this, gentlemen, we have liiinhrd a general outline of the organic material, ' I will not wesry you with a detail otllieinin uiim of their various eoiubinationt. The study of this should be ihe business of your h-isuni hours, at tnnro private lime, nlhonuq hut ihese arc the maieriuls, with which you tally toil upon your farm, and which von endeavor to put together in such a way as to make luxuriant crop. I am well awar lhat Upon occasions lik the present il it unusual to take op in detail so dl'iU't matter as is pro- seulcd; and in doiiif to I am moreover aware, lhat we have b 'eu travelling, through dark ways, and obscure Jiailis that have had mist and fog hanging over our rourso. - But, genilemen, the dirkest pirt'of ih dsy h iisti, ally ill lh mt'ts nd fogs of the morning, " bright win; to which the laliorer look 1 with cheering hope, while pursuing hit regular votind of labor. The business or object which l liave allotted in uivsrll tn-iLiv, is to illustrate general principles; and In impress upon your minds, the great vlue, of ul least a knowledge of (lit) g meral principle of chemistry, lo you a knowing mm, and successful agriculturists. Il is certainly it expected thalewrry practical farmer, shall or ran beeome Icirned in chem istry by no means, hut heshnulj lie acquaint ed with its principle and laws, however, o far as, not only in know what he is doing Upon hi farm, and what i-numili ne rliangs jire likely to take place;' but whal ultimate result is lo be produced under favorable physical influences. To know and understand this, he should know the fire of mailer, aud Ihe general Uw which govern it. Not to know this is to rely upon hind experiment, and many hive to be made, at vast expenditure pf labor, hvfor pun proves successful. Agriculture, gentlemen, is a science a fix ed science having chemistry, and physics, with their corrida live branches Its . it busis; and it is no objwiinti lu it as a science thtl th application of these principle lo it sse yet in infancy, and lhal it is in a forming state. It is not derogatory to the standing of an agri culturist lo acknowledge his ignorance oi'ihese fundament d principles, because il i .only ol late lhal the talents and science of the world havo bh directed iu lha wa of throwing tjicir light upon agriculture and ace.m nting for many of its phenomena. But, gentlemen, should you feci aa you ar that you am vet iu the dark, and lh.it yotl aro Unable lo. ac count fur ihe cause of either sucurss or disap pointment in your fanning operations; that llie mists and fugs yul hang over your way, and blind your experimental course! and lhal in this nineteenth rcnturv, you are in the in fancy of ihe profeninn. nf vonr choice the most noble pursuit which ever occupied man ; and the true basis upon which all other are founded. If all these didiculiiea hangover llie way to more perfect success, it il not tune "that j ehc prepared, your lamps trimmed, and your nil ready, lhat when llie bri.liromncoin- elh you may enter in mid reap the fruits of your fureaigiit and prfautiou." ; ' As it has been Indicated to you that these sixteen ele mentary substances, form the ground work ofi ill agricultural operations exist m their ele- -meiimry met Heff -imit-, thnvrgBihfct;TtnaTVen," Mtbon and nitrogen, and whirn exist even in the implement of husbandry : for though in combination, rnd ginnprd logethei in lint way their eliuiients tn be separated and recompiled in virion ' form to ns In produce quite a different compouud or tub. tiince II bcenmea necessary Iu know tine- thing of the law tvliicli bring nboitt those; change. ,. .... ' i , ;!; A II it only niv object to-day to illustrate "'TO mmy materials) and- lo lako up bin few of(gre-ilest cstima'conly about or los than ten those materals or elementary ubtancr fur; per cent of inorjanie ' mutter, Ye gcntle- ucli illustration and show the general prini'i- plet whieh govern or rule their combination, ami fit them to perform to important a f ar aud figure so largely, iu organization and life, il becomes necessary to know something of the atomic theory ; and those laws of eheint en I affinity whtch rule ul llie comiimatiiMi, of, ei i herjdemen iary or cwmiounj CrreiiiicaraflihTfy or altraoiTun, Is (hat power which brings two or more .fiiainriul subntanc- e, hy cont'd, into chemical .union ; so thai ! a substance, quile different from the original J materials, is produced. A when oxygen gut becomes united with iron, il it reduced loaj brown powder( Ihe oxyde of iron or potash I to nil, which forms (oap, , j The force which governs chemical allrsc- j lion or --affinity i i , dilfcrenl between differ j cnt.suhstancesi if carbonic acid it added to i- i , l. .11. !- ..I .. i.-.-L : ..i,.l lime, rhulk is formed which il a neulr.it salt. postossitig die qualities of neither the acid nr lime; if to this chalk we add vine gar, there is a greater allitiity between lh vinegar and lime than between ihe carbonic acid and lime, Minsequent'y the-vinegar lake Tho place of the carbonic acid, becc.uine - united with lbs lime chemically, and li e carbonic acid es cape as gas. ; If we wish to illustrate chemical affinity lill, further, we, will add sulphuric acid, lo llii otnhinalinu, of vinegar and lime, when the ulphurio acid forms a union with (he .lime and forms tutphute of liuici and Ihe viucgnr is set free. By (hit Il lustration you will discover, that the attrac tion between the vinegar and lii lime is great er than between the carbnnia acid snd lime; and that llie attraction bi'tilfi i n sulphuric acid and Iim is greater than either' . A correct knowledge uf tin i liemicel nnrnciioii or affin ity, between different elementary substances, which is equally applicable to all, is essentially- necessary to alt correct chemical analyse and synthesis, -'i Wo have spoken of atom and ehmnnts. An lemcnliiry substance jt lhat which ea.i nut, by any operation known to man, be -gam divided; an atom of a similar or elenien iary substance, i one multiple atom or integral part of such elementary subsumes, and uncliangeiblo. Atoms of Ihe tamo ele ment aro always of the same weight, but of different element compared one with (he other, of -different weight: All combinations of element must represent' their respective atomic- -weight or multiple proportion! as when we apeak nf water, at being composed of oxygen and hydrogen ga; wejshall bear in mind lhat nn atom of hjdio-n gn it 1 in weight,, "and that, an atom ot oxygen ga at compared with thai it 8. We llicrefurc lay, that wiJtcr is. compon-d of one part of hy drogen gn and eight pnrt of oxygen gasi and that lltese cleuiciii have a chc'tiiic.i4l sf-, Unity lo unite in thi proportion !o (min wa ter, and in tto other mode of combination can ihry be made to unit so a to consti tute it. If we wish lo (rm ammonia, r must Combine Ihree 'atom of .hydrogen- 4i one of nitrogen when a chemical action un der ihe taws of affinity lake place,-ami am monia i produced; and under no othor com bining number can Ihey bt mule lo unite so ss to form ammonia. Tim law of- chemi cal affiinity arc but the Uwl of nature or tlior forces winch govern and regulate the material world.' They are'ever unchangeable ami unalterable; at ihey emanate from tlmt al mighty limit! all-wise source ibe creator of all mailtir; with whom an atom is a world, and a world but an aggregate collection ol atoms, Iield together by lha force of his law. - , .... .. . '.,,"'-."' Il i granted lo man the power of availing himself ol the force of tlies lawt vimu mutter. He may combine, the varimi mat- ter with which lie is turruuniled, in such a wy a to be praeticnlty heneiiciul to his Vari ous opi'rafiiiiis, and useful to hiiiinclf : ynt the xlieuuujl cluiiges, hIi'cIi 4jki) ptayt, tlenirb pro'vibly untMicn tir uiikunivn In him ; art un uer mo govvriiiui iii ot itn'ic uiu'ii:iii"i aiip- law. lie can change matter, or nher il out ward character in this Combination : but he can neither create cr destroy out sinn, or U ter llie law which act upon it, Our servant . brings in the combusii'.de materia!, or wood, and f ets it in burning I in Ibis ha brings' bout a chemical action,. W take our seal by it and enjoy the heat emanating therefrom, wilh great luxury ; we see the fuel becoming lest by rtcgreeu, leaving dually but small remnant behind 'the ash. 'Vet the servant knows nothing of ihe chemical change pro duced ; he only know the effect the result. 1 will not insult your understanding, gentle men, by saying that in many instances th : master i at ignorant nf ibis chemical aci-n - the servant himnlf. 'In Ibis combustion not an atom i destroyed, or lost In nature. ' The organic material in combination in lha na.., u , v v. in a, .-r, u ,hm - wafted by the atmosphere 10 different part. . In Ihii gaseous stale, it is soon demanded hy soma vegetable, becomes united with its or- y those clement which cotiM boast nf hav " imf had a habitation in the msjusiie and lofty oak o the forest, may he forced to lake thnr -1 l I.. .1.- .1, l. .i- . I. - : bwiib 111 ill? inoriiy iiiiuu, UB..noKioui wrcu, or the insignificant and contemptible grasses. You gather up material from ihe vegcla- " ble kingdom, in a state of deenmpostion. in your farm yards, uf compost heaps, viih design of preparing fond lor the favorite plants of your fiirmi Ihey are combined with other fcrtilizt!VS.ar exiertcd lo absorb the eYrrwibn of unimnls, a dopoiiel... These under van- . ous stages nf decomposition are hauled out as - iiianriie. a ou manure in various uiur wys some with marl, some wilh purchased lime or plaster, or guano, aud soma with muck labor will hunt lip the dead trees iu tlisir ( forest lands, cut them down, throw them in - lumps, num. mcin ami apply weir asn to tne -soil.. Various other experiments are pursued, ' . and being Carried out upon your farms, for - vihi live in an sirs f ArntrrMM. ' ftut (mini... ... ... ,. 1 e e - men. permit the in Candor and tineeritv lo ask you 1 do you know what you nr doing in thi fr nun.liltiPA nf luU..- ,1,1-tlw.i..n., Vi.iii.jI . of hauling from your harn ysrj or compost heap Into your Ouhis, fully ninny per etnt, . of llie material composed nf oxygen, hyilro- abundantly in the air and water nf the llriuv munt ; and which are brought down by every shower ol rain 1. 1 Eicu f, ih element uf water and air, nlnne, it require no strained j calculation lo aay that in uvery load of the Idryest manure coinimsej of vegetable matter abmo which you haul out upon your farm, they make about 40 per cent. Charcoal or ! carbonic acid constitute the great portion of liviiig Avhen thv fli men, work it a yon will,--calculate it under ; ttueulih rule in ihe most favorable way Mi aginablcr yotl must arrive ultimately to this, thai you haul out about nine per oent. of those gasea which constitute water and air, and that which floats wilh it in. ihe state of car- bonis acid s.is. : These nses are indeed vee hand ; and dispensed a such for Ihe benefit nf all men. l),i j ou know what your (oil 1 contain, either of organic or l;inrganic maier- 1 H f for lo know what is needed, requires first . to know what is already contained therein, Do yoti know what ihe vegetable, which yon design .to cultivate upon any portion of y uir toil, require of either organic or iimrgauio matter at fond particularly ihe last ! Ami lastly,1 da you know that your mil contain the proper elements for lha growth of such 1 .! ., . vegetable ; or lhat your manures contain them, particularly those of th Inorganic or njii'il ndn I - ? - Th"e genlK-man,. are fundamental princi ple! of know ltd pi, and indis vens ihle lo agri cultural Hirers; and worthy ot having all the light which analytical chemistry can give, ami which can be derived from no other sm.,oe. That agricultural chemistry it, at a science, in anmrwbat an cuibsf ouc elate must readily ' be admitted, when viewed in Ils vast fields nr scope of detail but thataunlylie.il chemis try can ascertain the constituent elementt or soils, and vegetable must bo equally admitted, aa weft Known. Plow ii tne agricutiiiiisit ran have tin knowledge a a basis, fact, lo rest his experiments and farm operation upon. some of th mists nnd fogs which hangover Iho way nf success are dispelrd, and hy these hghla o( iirnce, hit way it made clear,- Not to know Ibis, not lo have this light, it is percepti ble that all hisopemtiorovand experiment, aro . undrrno laws, hut those of chance, or acci dental success, if success, Is ths result of any. And when uch successful result become known lo others, adopted by ihemf and carried , nut in plan and principle in accordance w:lh ils discovery, it W without any of diem being able, hv the application of natural laws ljsc- . count for any ol'ihos phenoinenn. or chsnge of mailer which lead toauch tncecseful rciult. When if Ihe lawt of rhemiitry. were apphcl to jt, in many case a genernl principle may he cstablilied upon a mientific basis, aid ths rtm i-M-utf Aflampi! in et hnrlip WAV.- S!hI.I greal taving of tiiu; and money, A'ffMni'iKci herrajht." AVASIIIXGTOM AFFAIUS. Washington, Nov A. The announcemrnl ihat Mr. Ewbanka, lha Commissioner of Pa tenia has been remo veil, is n"t correct, aa tiiut volimtarily resigned, Siltislfodgct, Esq., hat been appointl in hi place, and will enter on hit tluth s on Monday next,. The appoint ment give grper,! satisfaelion.. Prof. Oeorgc C, 'Scharffer, Danville, Ken tucky, ha Ixen appointed chief examiner in the Pa rol Olfice,vire Cooper. F, 8. Smith Ksq, late assistant examiner, 'I he corps l now full. . . - , . Tha Nation i Whig find mtu h consola tion in the deathblow given by the receel f-Ic'-linil to I lie higher law lierenies and atmli linnis.n genrritlly. believing 'hat the mere sup port given to General rteoti, by- certain of these lims-.icial leader, wn lha great mius of hit defeat. . . .. ,. The lion, E IwarJ Everetl is expected he! to morrow to take hit post in the Stale De partment. The Washington Ttlegtuph, a whig pips', Unit, duringtiiatt, t'iroei'luiiii'itrati'm, should any eiuoreenev arifS requirii'f; On Scert't iiiain'la',"W!rfcflivftyB 'iiiT'i;fiil'e''1iiK ' nary will exist bclweeu him and l'riiait Pure. ,- '..' ' , . '"'-.' '"
The North-Carolina Star (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 17, 1852, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75