LECTURES AND ESSAYS READ AT INSTITUTES. 101 



It is valuable indirectly for setting free the inactive ammonia held by humus, 

 the oxide of iron and other materials in the soil ; also by making soluble the 

 potash and pliosphate of lime in the soil. It has a marked influence on light 

 porous soils, rich in humus, and in fair condition, while it is almost entirely 

 useless on cold, wet clays. 



Salt shows marked benefit in the growth of asparagus, cabbage, and 

 mangols. It prevents scab in potatoes, increases the growth of leaf and fibre 

 in grasses, and increases the palatability and digestibility of the hay produced, 

 and promotes the health of stock. It often prevents the lodging of grain, 

 but exhibits little influence on clover, presenting a strong contrast with plaster 

 in many of these respects. 



In looking over this manure question it seems to me that there are three 

 questions for tlie farmer to consider : 



I. What are the materials we seek in manure? 



II. Where can they be found in greatest abundance, in available forms, and 

 at least expense? 



III. How can we make best use of those materials when found? 



I have tried to open the door for a profitable discussion of these three ques- 

 tions which lie at the basis of successful farming. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Bennett asked if coal ashes were of any value as manure. Dr. Kedzie 

 replied that they were of no value. 



In answer to several questions concerning muck, its treatment and its value 

 as a manure, the Doctor stated that vegetation is forced on a drained swamp 

 by using lime, then manure. 



Sour muck is found beneath the surface, and by exposure, and especially by 

 freezing, it loses its sourness. 



Muck consisting principally of woody fiber is worthless. But good muck 

 made up of vegetable mold may be hauled three miles, when dried, and used 

 as manure with profit. 



As regards tlie amount of green manure to plow under, he said : When the 

 ground is kept wet and a large amount of green manure plowed under, active 

 fermentation may set in. But it rarnlxj happens that too mucli green manure 

 is plowed under. 



Soils consisting largely of carbonate of lime probably lack nitrogen or 

 phosphorus, or both, and needs ashes, barn-yard manure, or phosphates. 



In answering Mr. Bennett's question as to the value of bone meal, he said: 

 Bone meal, as we get it from the glue factory, is worth, as manure, about $1G 

 per ton. Before the glue is extracted it is worth twice as much. 



Several questions were asked abouc wood ashes as manure, to which Dr. 

 Kedzie replied, that wood ashes are more valuable than farmers are apt to 

 think, and especially in fruit culture. He did not advise composting ashes 

 with barn-yard manure, as the ashes liberate ammonia. Ashes of hard wood 

 generally contain more potash. 



In response to Mr. Robinson, he said that dried blood would greatly increase 

 the yield of strawberries if sowed between the rows in the spring. 



