ASHES. The earthy or mineral particles of combustible substances, remaining after combustion. Ashes are amongst the most economical manures.
Vegetable Ashes are generally the best application for manuring boggy, cold, and, consequently, sour and unprofitable land, in quantities of about forty bushels per acre, thinly and evenly distributed. The annual exhaustion of salts from large crops of grain, roots, and grass, is from 180lb. to more than 250lb. per acre; and the aggregate of a few years will so far impoverish the soil in one or more of the principles necessary to sustain a luxuriant vegetation, that it will cease to yield remunerating returns. The ashes of vegetables consist of such elements as are always required for their perfect maturity, and it is evident they must furnish one of the best saline manures which can be supplied for their growth; they contain, in fact, every element, and generally in the right proportions, for insuring a full and rapid growth. Both gardener and farmer will therefore perceive the great value of Ashes to their crops.
Coal Ashes. The bituminous and anthracite coals afford Ashes, and, although inferior in quality to those made from wood and vegetables, are, like them, a valuable manure, and they should be applied to the land in a similar manner. If they contain many cinders, from not having been thoroughly burned, they are more suited to heavy than to light soils. Coal Ashes, if very fine, may be sprinkled half an inch deep on the surface, over peas and beans, &c., to preserve them from mice; they may also be used for garden and greenhouse walks, where bricks or tiles are absent, being tidy in appearance, and an excellent substitute for other and more expensive material.
Peat Ashes. Peat approaching to purity, when thrown out of its bed and thoroughly dried, may be burned to an imperfect Ash, and when it does not reach this point, it will become thoroughly charred, and reduced to cinders. The process of burning should be as slow as possible. In either form, it is a valuable dressing for the soil.
ASH-TREE. See Fraxinus.
ASIATIC POISON BULB. See Crinum asiaticum.
ASIMINA (meaning unknown). ORD. Anonaceæ. Hardy shrubs, with oblong, cuneated, usually deciduous leaves. Flowers sometimes rising before the leaves, usually solitary and axillary. They thrive freely in a mixture of sand and peat. Propagated by layers put down in the autumn, or by seed, procured from their native country. Seedlings should be raised in pots, and sheltered in winter, until they have acquired a considerable size.
FIG. 159. FLOWERING BRANCH OF ASIMINA TRILOBA.
A. triloba (three-lobed).* fl. campanulate, the three outer petals pale purplish, and the three inner ones smaller, purplish on the outside as well as the inside at the base and apex, with the middle yellow, about 2in. diameter, produced between the upper leaves. May. l. oblong-cuneated, often acuminated, and, as well as the branches, smoothish. h. 10ft. Pennsylvania, 1736. A small tree or shrub. See Fig. 159.