186 



5tb. It decomposes with lime and other salts and forms valuable 

 compounds. 



6th. It kills the wireworm and several other insects injurious to ag- 

 riculture. 



Salt used with barn dung, has been found to produce a larger crop 

 of turnips than double the quantity of dung without salt. Lime and 

 salt promote the decay of weeds and vegetables, and hasten the decom- 

 position of peat, in a greater degree than either of these manures taken 

 singly. With gypsum it supplies soda and sulphuric acid, besides mu- 

 riate of lime, and taken together, they form a most excellent manure. 

 Liebig says, " Common salt enables the plant to extract its sulphur from 

 the ground, where it has existed as sulphate of lime." When used as 

 a brine, salt is generally destructive to vegetation. In the application 

 of salt as a manure great care is necessary, as too much of it will de- 

 stroy seeds or 2}lctnts, whilst a certain quantity will he exceedingly ben- 

 eficial. 



The grain of the cereal and leguminous crops is much improved in 

 size and color by the judicious application of salt. It acts well in con- 

 junction with ammoniacal manures; the proportion should be three 

 times as much salt as they contain salts of ammonia. The salt gives 

 strength and solidity to the stem and grain, whilst the size and luxuri- 

 ance of the plant are increased by the ammonia. 



Mr. Sinclair, of Woburn, England raised ninety-five bushels of wheat 

 to the acre by using a manure composed of salt and bam yard dung. 



Salt has frequently been used with much success in Michigan as a 

 top dressing for orchards. 



Lime. 



Nearly every plant and vegetable has a portion of lime in its com- 

 position, from this fact the necessity for keeping up a supply of it in 

 the soil is apparent. I have used more than ten thousand bushels of 

 lime as a manure, and ought to be able to form a correct opinion of its 

 value. In some cases it has a remarkable effect in promoting the 

 growth of crops ; in others, no good result is visible. A certain por- 

 tion of it is necessary in every soil, more than this, is worse than use- 

 less. Its effects are not immediate, but are lasting, especially on land 

 laid down for permanent pasture. It promotes the growth of clover 

 and grasses of every kind, and adds to the size and vigor of root crops. 



