GRASS CULTURE. 169 



forty-five miles from the seashore. So I procured some, and when 

 it came, I spread it on a piece of run down mowing-, and watched 

 it year after year, and I never could see that it added one spear of 



grass. 



Four years ago, there was considerable said about superphos- 

 phate of lime for mowing land. I tried that, at the rate of about 

 300 pounds to the acre, setting up stakes where I sowed it ; were 

 it not for the stakes, I should not know where I put it. 



Mr. Martin. I have had all sorts of experience with super- 

 phosphate. Some years ago we used Coe's (or Bradley's). At 

 first that did well, but it soon run down, so as to be good for 

 nothing. Then the Cumberland came along, and I tried that, or 

 thought I did. That proved worthless also, and I said some hard 

 things about it. When I told my friend Goodale about it, he soon 

 satisfied me that I had been imposed upon in buying something 

 else, and not the genuine. Then I tried again, and I also procured 

 some of Croasdale's and some of Wilson's, and some flour of bone. 

 The Croasdale's did something, and the Wilson's did xather better. 

 From the flour of bone, I saw no effect at all. But the Cumber- 

 land, which I had condemned and was prejudiced against, was 

 very far ahead of the other three. It made the potatoes grow, and 

 tlie beans, and the corn, and the weeds too. I got a noble crop 

 of corn wliere I applied the Cumberland superphosphate. I was 

 very particular to see that each had exact justice done — the same 

 amount of each to the same amount of surface. When people 

 talk about superphosphate, they sometimes give their experience 

 with a srood article and sometimes with what is worthless. 



Mr. Lawrence of Bucksport. We all know the value of ashes 

 as a top-dressing for grass, but it is not every one who can get 

 ashes. We need not, however, despair on that account, for we 

 can make a mixture of lime with top soil that will be as good as 

 ashes, and not cost half the money. Take one bushel of lime to 

 three of top soil, compost them together, and let the heap be until 

 it is " cooked," as we farmers say, and you will have a prepara- 

 tion that will answer as good, and even a better purpose, than 

 leached ashes. At least, such has been my experience. 



Secretary Goodale. What is the character of your land ? 



Mr. Lawrence. I put it on what we call clayey marl. If I was 

 going to bring up a piece of land that was full of bogs, roots, &c., 

 I should use caustic lime, and in large quantity ; but in using lime 

 as manure, we use a smaller amount. 



