SECRETARY'S REFORT. 223 



There can be no doubt that the process of leaching takes 

 from the ashes a part of their fertilizing properties. For many 

 uses this is no objection. Especially is this the case near the 

 sea, where leached ashes are thought by some to be even more 

 serviceable, as the salt in the atmosphere the more readily com- 

 bines with them. Every practical man has heard of the amaz- 

 ing effects which bone dust has upon tlic soil. Yet this is 

 valuable, chiefly, for the phosphate it contains. But if we may 

 rely upon the statement of Prof.- Liebig, leached ashes also con- 

 tain a large amount of phosphate of lime, which would show 

 them to be extremely valuable. But suppose we allow four 

 bushels of leached ashes to one bushel of crushed bones, the 

 expense of the ashes, would, in most cases, be less than the 

 bones. But if bones can be procured, a mixture of leached 

 ashes and bones, four bushels to one, forms a very useful appli- 

 cation. The compound should remain a week or two before be- 

 ing used. Those who have tried leached ashes, have been fully 

 satisfied of their superior qualities as a fertilizer. Careful 

 experiments, by practical, conservative men, show that land pro- 

 ducing one ton to the acre, has been so improved by this means 

 as to yield three tons to the acre. Where thirty bushels were 

 used on three-fourths of an acre, in one instance, the crop was 

 increased more than three-fold. Nor are leached ashes subject 

 to the objections which are raised by some against the use of 

 lime. They do not apparently exhaust the soil. The effect of 

 tliem is felt for several years. Many farmers have foiind by 

 experience, that one bushel of unleached hard Avood ashes is 

 nearly equal to two bushels of plaster, as a top-dressing for the 

 dryer grass lands. If this be true, what has been said would 

 show that leached ashes are about equal to plaster in their 

 effects on such lands. A peck of lime is commonly used in 

 leaching a bushel of ashes. This, of course, adds to the value 

 of leached ashes for grasses. They contain, also, a portion of 

 the alkali which is decomposed by the action of the atmosphere, 

 and the water in the soil prepares it for the food of plants. 



As we have already spoken of the use of mud, it is proper 

 here to say that ashes may be mixed with mud in the propor- 

 tion of six or eight bushels to the cord. The mud is better, as 

 usual, dug in the autumn, though the mixture might be made 

 in the spring, or on application to the soil. If leached ashes 



