246 ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY SOCIETY. 



ing. There should, also, have been an application of plaster of 

 Paris, or charcoal dust, to fasten the ammonia and prevent its escape, 

 and we believe his compost -would have been greatly improved by 

 irrigation from the drainage of the barn-yard, or some other liquid. 

 We are fully of the opinion, that competitors must come up in some 

 good degree, to the requirements of the Trustees, or not be entitled 

 to a premium. 



We are aware, however, that Mr. Gilbert is one of our most scien- 

 tific farmers, that he makes much excellent manure, and receives 

 ample returns." 



It is fair to presume that Mr. Gilbert cheerfully acquiesced in 

 the decision of the majoi-ily^ as all good citizens who enjoy the 

 benefits of a democratic form of government ever feel bound to do; 

 but that majorities do not ahcays adopt the wiser course, we have 

 abundant evidence in all history from the days of Noah and Lot, 

 downwards ; and it is possible that the decision above may prove 

 upon examination to be one of the frequent illustrations of the same 

 fact to be met with during the present century. 



This muck, it is said, contained more or less of acid, and needed 

 some alkali to neutralize it. Very probably it was so, for such is 

 usually the case. Horse manure, during fermentation, evolves 

 ammonia, which is an alkali and more valuable to the farmer than 

 either potash or soda ; moreover, ammonia enters readily into com- 

 bination with acids, and is then more firmly fixed or secured for 

 the farmer's use than when simply absorbed (as a sponge holds 

 water) by charcoal or otlier absorbant. When horse manure and 

 muck are mixed in equal quantities, the amount of alkali (ammonia) 

 furnished by the first is abundantly sufiicient to correct whatever 

 free acid there may be in the muck, and also to act upon and pre- 

 pare the vegetable matter in it for immediate and efficient useful- 

 ness. Chemical science and experience bear a uniform testimony 

 to the goodness of compost thus made — each corroborating the other. 



The Committee remark : " We think he failed by not applying 

 chloride of lime or some other alkali." How is this? Chloride of 

 lime is not an alkali, nor can it under any circumstances be expected 

 to act the part of one. It is an excellent disinfecting agent — readily 

 neutralizing offensive effluvia. It will also discharge vegetable 

 colors, and is used to bleach our cottons and linens. If applied to 



