SECRETARY'S REPORT. 227 



curing them. The relative expense depends so much upon 

 circumstances, that we need not make the estimate. As an 

 absorbent and retainer of the valuable properties of manure, 

 peat mud and loam will also be found of essential service. If 

 used on a high and dry soil, the effect of plaster will not be 

 very apparent the first season, unless like the past, there are 

 frequent rains. 



There is an impression among many that plaster does not 

 produce so good results in the immediate vicinity of the sea 

 shore. If this is so, it does not arise, probably, from the prox- 

 imity to the sea, but from other causes. Many of our lands do 

 not need the application of plaster. I have seen it used, to the 

 best advantage, within two miles of the sea. If there were 

 any thing in the sea air to prevent plaster from performing its 

 usual functions as an absorbent, the effect would be perceived 

 to a far greater distance inland. If any failures have occurred 

 in its use in the vicinity of the sea, they were probably owing 

 to the soil rather than to the atmosphere. There is one other 

 remark in this connection. When plaster has been applied 

 without immediate efiect, we should not at once conclude that 

 it is useless on the particular soil to which it is applied. The 

 first season may be dry, and ill adapted to its decomposition. 

 In such cases, good results have ordinarily followed the second 

 year. 



The great utility of bones as a manure, arises from the large 

 amount of phospliates which they contain. On all pastures 

 which have been long fed, the phosphate of lime is exhausted. 

 It is constantly taken from the earth in the. grass, to form the 

 bone, the muscle, and the milk of animals. Of the earthy 

 matter in bones, nearly five-sixths consist of phosphate of lime 

 and magnesia. Nitrogen is also abundant, and, of course, 

 ammonia, for nitrogen is an element of ammonia. A few bushels 

 of bone dust will often quite restore old, "worn-out" pastures. 

 Indeed, almost every part, of which bones are composed, goes 

 directly to the nourishment of vegetable life. The ashes of all 

 grains are very rich in phosphate of lime. This shows the 

 importance of furnishing this element for their use. 



A mixture of crushed bones and ashes, or leached ashes, 

 forms a valuable top-dressing. Nor will this application, in 

 small quantities, be thought expensive, if what is said be true, 



