STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 33 



long since, that by putting unleached ashes wherever there was 

 manure, it had the tendency to take from the manure the ammonia, 

 so that the greater part of the manure is lost. I don't know why 

 I have been misled all these years; if I have been, I am glad to 

 learn something from Mr. Harris. 



Mr. Harris. I would state that you are correct. I don't ap- 

 prove of it. I got up this paper in a hurry, and that got in un- 

 beknown. [Laughter.] 



Prof. Porter. In connection with that matter of using wood 

 ashes and manure, I would say that there is no harm done where 

 they are mixed together, if they are immediately put in the 

 ground. Then there will be no loss, because the best absorbent 

 is the soil itself. If it is to be allowed to stand for a week or two, 

 you had better not mix them, as the wood ashes will at once 

 liberate the ammonia. 



Mr. Gray. You don't advocate its use for a top-dressing? 



Prof. Porter. No, sir; unless mixed with earth or some other 

 absorbent. 



Mr. C. L. Smith. If it is mixed with dirt it makes a good 

 top-dressing. 



Mr. Harris. We often put hen manure with ashes to spread 

 on the ground where it is to be plowed under immediately, and 

 it is a good plan; but I don't believe in doing it where the mix- 

 ture is left on the surface. 



REMARKS BY PROF. PORTER. 



Prof. Porter baing called for came forward and said: 

 Mr. President : You have called upon me to make a few 

 remarks and in comj^lying with your request I wish to say that 

 I am very glad to see so many of the representatives and friends 

 of the State Horticultural Society here to-day. It was of course 

 an experiment to have a meeting of this kind at this place, and 

 I think has proved to be a very successful one so far as numbers 

 are concerned. And I am very glad that you are here at this 

 time because you have an opportunity to see our experimental 

 farm when it is in the initiative stage. As you see we are just 

 commencing work here. 



If you come out here annually, as I hope you will do at this 

 season of the year, you will be able to observe whether we make 

 any substantial progress or not in our work. 

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