273 



SCIENTIFIC NOTES. 



Effect of vaeious mai^jures on the growth of grass. — Experi- 

 meuts have been recently iustituted by the Agrieultaral College at 

 Worms, Bavaria, for the purpose of ascertaining the relative effect of 

 several different manures upon the growth of grass. In presenting an 

 account of the results obtained we may state, for the more satisfactory 

 understanding of the subject, that the "morgen" amounts to nearly 

 three-fifths of an acre. Muck increased the yield of hay, per morgen, 

 by 7 cwt., but deteriorated the quality of the grass. But this is believed 

 to have resulted from the use of muck not sufficiently seasoned by 

 exposure to atmospheric action. Human excrement gave an increase of 

 13^ cwt. per morgen, while the growth was very thick even in the 

 poorest places. The cows, however, refused to eat the grass, although 

 they appeared to have no objection to the hay. It was believed that 

 the grass of the following season would be palatable to them. Liquid 

 manure from stable drains and sinks had a powerful effect, and increased 

 the crop of hay by 14^ cwt. per morgen. The grass was good, but the 

 flowering herbs disappeared. Two cwt. of bone-dust, fermented in a 

 compost of earth and liquid manure, increased the yield of hay, per 

 morgen, 12 cwt., and developed an abundance of white and red clover; 

 and its influence, it was thought, would extend through several seasons. 

 But the best effect as to the quality, though not the quantity of grass, 

 was obtained by the application of potash salts. The grass was fine and 

 tender, and almost free from the coarse berbs, with an increased yield 

 of 11^ cwt. per morgen. 



Cultivation of asparagus. — The culture of asparagus was lately 

 the subject of discussion by the members of the Horticultural Society in 

 Dessau; and among the views expressed were the following: That the 

 old method of burying large quantities of manure deep under the surface 

 was objectionable, since asparagus does not derive its nourii^hment from 

 a great depth, and the plants often become too deeply imbedded when 

 the thick substratum of manure collapses by rotting. The preference 

 often given to old plants, in making selections for a new bed, was also 

 considered a mistake. Plants become sickly and less vigorous in the 

 seed bed, so as to be much more sensitive to the change in transplanting. 

 Southern exposure, shelter from cold winds, a porous soil, and the total 

 absence of trees, were recommended as essential conditions to the highest 

 success. The soil is to be turned to the depth of from two to three feet, 

 and then manured to the depth of one foot. This is most conveniently 

 done in autumn, during dry weather. Spring is the best time for i)lant- 

 ing, and the best direction of the trendies for the reception of the plants 

 is from north to south. The earth taken from the trenches is "walled 

 up," as it is termed, between the rows, and upon these other vegetables 

 may be cultivated while the asparagus bed is young; but they are 

 eventually absorbed in filling up the ditch around and between the 

 plants. Well-rotted manure, or suitable comj^ost, is combined with the 

 earth of the walls for this purpose. Besides giving constant attention 

 to stirring the soil and weeding, the young plants need to be watered 

 regularly whenever the state of the weather requires it. 



A new fiber, (ApocYNUjti.) — Nettings and cordage were to some 

 extent, at one time, made in Virginia and other States of North Amer- 

 ica of the fiber of the bark of Apocyrmm cannabmum. Although the 

 application has almost entirely gone out of use in America, we find in 

 the report of the Eussiau exhibition in St. Petersburg, in 1870, that 



