176 On Salt as a Manure. 
bandry; though they may appear improbable, or be un- 
accountable : especially when the test is easy, and 
cheap. Lord Dundonald condemns salé in large quan- 
tities ; but mentions the profitable use of sea water ; in 
which there is only one bushel and an half of salt to the 
ton. Darwin is opposed to the use of salt as a manure. 
Nothing can exceed the improvement made by the hay 
of our salt marshes, applied as manure. Plaister will not 
succeed, where this hay is used. 
An old farm-servant reminds me of a remarkable 
fact. He was employed in my experiments with salt; 
and scattered it in broad stripes across fields, in various 
quantities. The salted stripes were visible at great dis- 
tances, especially in winter; being free from hoar frosts, 
or slight snows; when all other parts were covered. Nor 
would severe frosts operate so much on them, as on other 
parts. ‘They continued open, dry, and free from frost, 
when all the surrounding grounds were deeply and firm- 
ly frozen. He says I strewed salt around fruit trees ; 
to keep off frosts, and increase their vigor. But in some 
eases, having salted too heavily, the trees were injured. 
Tn others, it appeared to be very salutary. 
Iam, Sir, 
Your obedient servant, 
RicuarD PETERS. 
Dr. James MEAsE. 
Secretary of the Philad. Soc. for promoting Agriculture. 
