Annual Report. 145 



1. On the composition of mangolds grown with different quan- 

 tities of salt. 



2. On some causes of sterility in soils. 



3. Experiments on top-dressings for wheat. 



4. On the variations in the composition of palm-nut kernel 

 meal and cake. 



Supphj of Potash- Salts. 



The discovery of a new and comparatively-speaking cheap 

 source of potash, at Strassfurt, in Saxony, induced me to order 

 a quantity of crude potash-salts from Germany, for experimental 

 purposes. These salts contain about 20 per cent, of sulphate 

 of potash, and are likely to prove of considerable service for 

 turnips and clover on light land. 



The dry season unfortunately spoiled the experiments with 

 these potash-salts, which I instituted in several places during the 

 past season. 



In consideration of the great practical importance and the 

 scientific interest connected with this discovery of an abundant 

 source of potash, I lately visited Strassfurt, and inspected its 

 extensive salt-mines in which the potash-salts occur. 



The manufacture of potash began at Strassfurt about three 

 years ago, and brought about 14,000 workmen to the place. 

 At the time of my visit I found no less than fourteen potash- 

 works in operation at Strassfurt, amongst thein one belonging to 

 an English firm. In the adjoining county of Anhalt, which I 

 did not visit, I was told there are six or eight such manufactoi'ies. 



Should potash be found to have a decidedly beneficial effect 

 upon some of our crops, which I think is likely to be the case 

 under particular circumstances, I have no doubt that these exten- 

 siv^e deposits will supply potash in a crude form in abundance 

 at a cheap rate. 



Experiments on the effects of potash on light sandy soils, 

 usually deficient in that alkali, can alone decide whether or not 

 potash can be, economically used as a manuring agent. 



The inquiries which I made in Germany respecting the ex- 

 perience of farmers who tried the crude potash-salts of Strassfurt 

 do not enable me to say positively that they had a decidedly 

 beneficial or contrary effect. The fact is that as yet our expe- 

 rience is far too scanty for deciding this question. 



Night-Soil and Seioage of Foreign Toicns. 



On the occasion of my recent visit to Germany I took an 

 opportunity of inquiring into the disposal of human excrements 

 on the Continent, and found that their utilization is attended with 

 pecuniary loss to the towns of Germany and Flanders. All 



VOL. I. — S.S. L 



