of Salt in Horlicuiture. 71 



been much covered with moss, which the dressing of salt en- 

 tirely destroyed." 



" Mr. Sickler made a little heap of earth in the midst of a 

 field, on the top of which a cart-load of refuse salt was thrown ; 

 the earth in the heap itself, and, after its removal, the earth 

 under it for upwards of two feet deep, to the clay was rendered 

 so perfectly barren, that the most common weeds would not 

 vegetate in it. This barren earth, however, furnished the 

 richest dressing for the remainder of the field*." 



I have now laid before you all the evidence which I have been 

 able to obtain on this part of the general question, — the use of sea- 

 salt in horticulture. I am, however, fully sensible that, although 

 enough may have already been proved for us to form the de- 

 cision, that the use of salt in gardening is essential, there are 

 probably many well established facts which have not yet come to 

 my knowledge, and from what we have already attained, we may 

 presume that our information on the subject is yet very limited. 



To employ this very valuable mineral substance in the best 

 possible way, much is to be acquired by practical knowledge, 

 by direct experiment, and by vigilant observation. Every dis- 

 tinct vegetable, whether in the state of seed, root, or more mature 

 growth, from the plant to the largest fruit-tree, may possibly 

 have its distinct habitude and peculiarity. Some may require 

 more, others less ; some may admit of an immediate application, 

 while others require the salt to be laid on at a little distance. 

 In short, it is obvious that, since the general benefit of the 

 practice which I have endeavoured to impress upon your notice 

 has been substantiated by experience, we have now nothing more 

 to follow than experimental researches. 



As a manure for land, sea salt is considered of so much im- 

 portance by the Board of Agriculture in London, and by the 

 Highland Society of Scotland, that both these associated bodies 

 have offered premiums for experiments on the subject. The 

 offer from the Board of Agriculture is announced thus : " To 

 the person who shall make and report to the Board, the most 



♦ Case of the Salt DutieSy by Sir Thomas Bernard, Bart,, page 275. 



