FERTILIZERS ON SALT MARSH. 247 



utter destruction by countless numbers of grasshoppers, which 

 made their appearance during the latter part of June. 



Wherever the salt grasses had disappeared, in consequence 

 of the removal of the salt water, and a subsequent rapid 

 decay had destroyed the compact vegetable matter which 

 served as immediate support of the sod, an unusually vigorous 

 crop of " everlasting " sprung up spontaneously. But in 

 spite of many adverse circumstances, tons of good English 

 ha}^ were secured as the results of previous seeding. 



Vegetables of various kinds were planted along the banks 

 of the creek, and upon some islands in the latter; they prom- 

 ised an abundant yield before the grasshoppers disposed of 

 them. A few squash- vines, that escaped an entire destruc- 

 tion, produced half a ton or more of fine specimens. The 

 vigorous character of the plants which here and there were 

 saved from the greediness of the invaders, showed conclusively 

 the high fertilit}' of the soil, and that good crojDS will be 

 secured as soon as the ordinary conditions are complied with, 

 and the general circumstances are favorable. 



A series of experiments with special fertilizers, at my 

 direction, kindly instituted by Dr. Henry, of Marshfield, 

 ftiiled also on account of the grasshoppers. Unlike the ex- 

 perience of the previous year, the grass-seed did better when 

 the ground was harrowed, instead of being simply scattered 

 over the existing sod. Successful attempts at ploughing have 

 also been made in various parts of the marshes. One acre on 

 the south side of the creek was ploughed by Mr. White, 

 and seeded down with oats, which looked remarkably well ; 

 he also ploughed and harrowed about one acre upon an island 

 in the creek, near the middle of the marshes. The soil was 

 of a dark color, very mellow and deep ; evidently very valu- 

 able for the cultivation of garden crops. Upon that soil were 

 raised the squashes above mentioned. The ploughed sod 

 remained in a few instances too dry and tough to permit at 

 once a successful cultivation. 



During the last autumn, about forty acres of marshes have 

 been ploughed. Some have been sown to grain and grass ; 

 but the larger part has been harrowed and prepared for 

 seeding in the spring. 



These trials of a systematic cultivation are still mainly con- 



