"/^ Parkes on the Ljsc of Salt, S):c. 



satisfactory experiments to ascertain the advantages or disad- 

 vantages which have attended the use of salt as a manure, either 

 simple or mixed with other substances ; — The gold medal or 

 fifty pouAds. Accounts to be produced on or before the 1st of 

 March, 1820." The Board adds : "It is to be hoped that this 

 premium willexcite a laudable spirit among enterprising farmers, 

 to ascertain particulars of such importance to the agricultural 

 interest." 



The reward held out by the Highland Society of Scotland iSj 

 " To the person in Scotland who shall make and report to the 

 Society the best and most satisfactory experiments on the effects 

 of salt as a manure in general, — A piece of plate of thirty guineas 

 value, or that sum in money. The reports to be lodged with the 

 Deputy-Secretary on or before the 10th of November, 1820." 



From the interest which I have long taken in this subject, 

 and the share I have had in obtaining the late act of par- 

 liament, for lowering the duty upon rock-salt for the pur- 

 poses of husbandry, I felt much pleasure and satisfaction on 

 seeing these premiums announced to the public ; and I am in- 

 clined to hope that the late concession of the Legislature will 

 prove the forerunner of a total repeal of all the existing laws 

 relating to salt, and that the offer of these premiums will oc- 

 casion such a spirit of emulation among the farmers, as must 

 conduce, in an eminent degree, to promote the improvement of 

 agriculture. Greatly do I wish that the Horticultural Societies 

 of London and Edinburgh may attach a proportionate degree of 

 importance to the employment of common salt in their experi- 

 mental researches, and thence be induced to offer such pre- 

 miums as cannot fail to stimulate the exertion and attention of 

 all our rational and scientific gardeners, so as to lead their in- 

 quiries towards the investigation of this very interesting and 

 curious subject. Should the foregoing collection of facts have 

 the least tendency to invite the Council of the Caledonian Hor- 

 ticultural Society to institute such a prize, I shall derive con- 

 siderable satisfaction from the circumstance of having suggested 

 a measure so important, in every point of view, to a great ma- 

 jority of persons, of all classes, in the British dominions. 



