86 Field Experiments of Crude German Potash-Salts 



that can endure sharp winter-cold, but need hot days in autumn. 

 We have long given up the vine for profitable cultivation, and 

 have ceased to expect grapes to ripen in an average summer ; but 

 we retain some crops that are better adapted for drier climates, 

 and hotter and more settled weather in August and September 

 than England can make sure of. We must not in this, or in any 

 matter, attempt to fight against Nature, though by a careful 

 study of her operations we may modify and bend her course. 



It seems to me that this is the right lesson to be learnt, from 

 the very important fact that the climate of England is probably 

 undergoing a modification which may continue still further in 

 the same direction. We could not now, even if it were desired, 

 bring things back again to their former state, restore a former 

 condition of vegetation, and cover the surface of the soil with 

 the oaks and beeches of former times. We must adopt another 

 and a very different system. Accepting the change, we must 

 work to meet it ; and knowing the probable result of those plans 

 that we find it convenient to adopt, we must prepare for a more 

 average climate, and perhaps for a smaller rainfall, less water in 

 the streams in dry summers, and generally a lower state of the 

 springs. In some countries, where the supply of water is already 

 insufficient, this might be difficult ; but with us there is no danger 

 of permanent drought ; and we have only to make due use of that 

 state of things which naturally belongs to or has been artificially 

 produced in our country. 



V. — Field Experiinents of Criide German Potash-salts and 

 Common Salt on Mangolds. By Dr. Augustus Voelcker. 



If the artificial supply of potash be attended with any bene- 

 ficial results to vegetation, it is likely to produce a more marked 

 effect on poor sandy soils, naturally deficient in potash than on 

 good agricultural clays, in which this alcali may be presumed 

 to occur in greater abundance. 



The discovery of vast mineral deposits of a variety of potash- 

 salts in the salt-mines at Stassfurth, in Saxony, has placed 

 within the reach of the farmer a cheap source of potash with 

 which he may manure his fields, should experience prove such 

 an application beneficial. There are at present several manu- 

 factories in active operation at Stassfurth, producing chloride 

 of potassium and sulphate of potash of various degrees of purity, 

 the least expensive form being sold under the name of Crude 

 German Potash-salts. These salts have been tried in Germany 

 during the last three or four seasons, on a variety of crops, some- 



