SECRETARY'S REPORT. 61 



Besides the elements of its structure supplied from the atmosphere, 

 cai'bon, h^'drogen, oxygen and nitrogen, it chanced to find in the 

 soil, and which it appropriated, about one hundred and eight 

 pounds of soluble silica, thirteen pounds phosphoric acid, nineteen 

 pounds potash, eight pounds lime, and a less quantity of sulphuric 

 acid and magnesia. 



The grain was full and fine, for besides its atmospheric elements, 

 it chanced to find within the range of the roots, silica, phosphoric 

 acid, sulphuric acid, lime, magnesia, peroxide of iron, potash and 

 soda. 



We find in oyr book of record, that this crop was a premium 

 crop ; and we are informed that the ground was plowed and har- 

 rowed previous to being sown. How much more than this simple 

 announcement, do the great bulk of the returned "statements" 

 required by law, contain ? 



A crop of potatoes is a very exhausting one, when the tops and 

 tubers are entirely removed from the soil. A large crop takes 

 more than four hundred pounds of incombustible matter from an 

 acre, more than half of which is potash. Turnips, mangolds and 

 carrots abstract from four hundred to six hundred and fifty pounds 

 of inorganic matter, about one-half of which is potash and soda. 

 But what is worthy of consideration, is the fact, that these crops 

 may be extended very much beyond our present practice, and all 

 be consumed at home with great advantage, thus returning to the 

 soil the precious mineral elements taken from it and with them a 

 great deal more of fertilizing substances obtained by these crops 

 from other sources. ^ 



The most successful husbandry in the world, as proved in grain 

 products and an increased fertility of soil, deals in vast quantities 

 of roots, and this mainly with a view to increase the stock of ma- 

 nure on the farm. 



The opinion of your Committee remains the same as when ex- 

 pressed on former occasions- — that if stock husbandry is to receive 

 special attention — if the number and value of our domestic animals 

 shall be increased, if we are to produce more meat, milk, wool and 

 bread, it must come mainly through the increased production of 

 roots in a well considered rotation. This matter is vastly suggest- 

 ive of thought, but we abstain from extended remarks,' feeling our 

 incompetency even to attempt the giving directions or even advice 

 to such a people as our constituents, where matters of such mag- 



