124 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



in the spring, I take a number of busliels of plaster, according to the size 

 of my heaps, say about a bushel to a cord, and mix it avcU with the 

 heap. The compost is of rather a clayey texture, and I am of the 

 opinion that clay arid plaster are the best substances to retain the 

 strength of manure that we can obtain." 



FKOM: CHESTER B. SUMNER. 



"There has been no special means used in Appleton to improve the 

 quality of manures. Stable manures are generally used in a crude 

 state ; but composting it with muck, is said, by those who have tried 

 it, to be far preferable. I should say, that by considerable care, ma- 

 nures might be increased fourfold, by composting with muck, saving 

 the drainage from the sink, &c. Mr. Levi Johnson, one of our best 

 farmers, has been in the habit, for a number of years, of hauling into 

 his barn and hog yards, large quantities of muck, which abounds in 

 some jiarts of the town, found in any d-esirable quantities near his 

 buildings, and composting it with other manures ; by which means he 

 has brought his farm, in a few years, from one of the poorest to be one 

 of the most productive and profitable in town. 



Guano, super-phosphate of lime, and poudrette have not been fairly 

 tried, until this season. This season, guano and poudrette have been 

 used considerably, and thus far they have proved all that could be ex- 

 pected." 



rilOM SAMUEL HASKELE. 



"There has not been so much done to increase the quantity of ma- 

 nures as there might and ought to be. Those persons living near tha 

 shore have a plenty of rock weed, which makes a gqod dressing for one 

 or two years. Stable manures arc composted by some, and by others 

 used in a crude state. I think horse manure should always be com- 

 posted. The dropping of neat stock do well to plough into the ground 

 in the spring, in its crude state. I think it better so than to be com- 

 posted. 



Swamp muck or peat abounds with us but it has not beeu'^o ex- 

 tensively used as it should be. It ought to be dug up one year before 

 it is composted. It should not be used without composting, or having 

 lime mixed with it. 



Special manures have been tried to some extent, but not with very 

 favorable results. Guano seems to be the best. Experience has not 

 jet proved that there is any economy in using them. Leached ashes 

 has been used to considerable extent, and gives good satisfaction." 



