106 On Leeched Ashes. 
produced five bushels per acre.—As near as I can 
guess, I put 150 bushels of ashes to the acre. 
With sentiments of esteem, 
I remain your friend, &c. 
THomas NEwsBo.tp.* 
Dr. James MEASE. 
* Thankful for all communications, and wishing to collect 
facts, we enter not into discussions about theories, further than 
these facts require support or rectification. The component 
parts of ashes, and those of the plaister of Paris, are entirely va- 
riant in their leading characters. But that there is no hostility 
between the two substances, has been proved by long and re- 
peated experience. Mr. Newbold may not have succeeded in 
the application of plaister, to ground on which ashes had been 
strewed. Yet in general, success has attended this practice, 
with most people, within our knowledge, invariably. It was 
confidently asserted, and for a long time believed, in Eng- 
land, that plaister would not suceeed on /imed lands. And 
so, until repeated experience had proved the error of 
both opinions, was it believed, as to ashed fields. But there 
is no doubt now that plaister operates well, both with lime 
and ashes, if there ts any vegetable or animal matter in the 
ground for the gypsum to operate upon ;—for, what is the 
exact cause of its operation is yet a theory. 
