AND DISEASES OF FRUIT TREES. 10 



cheaper and better supplied with fuel than those of this 

 country. This arises, in a great measure, from the circum- 

 stance of ashes being held in high estimation by agricultur- 

 ists ; they are consequently a saleable article in their large 

 towns and cities, at a price equal, in some instances, to half 

 the cost of a winter's fuel. 



Now I would ask, how is it that ashes are not as valuable 

 to the farmers here as they are in Europe 1 The extreme 

 heat of the summer must certainly engender insects in equal 

 if not greater proportions ; and as respects manure, it must 

 be scarcer in some parts of this extensive country than it 

 is in the densely peopled countries of Europe. Perhaps 

 some may answer, that ashes are already used by our culti- 

 vators to a considerable extent ; but I would remind such, 

 that from the circumstance of their being mixed up with 

 other manures, and exposed to all sorts of weather, (as in 

 our city,) they lose their virtue, so that a "load may not be 

 worth more than a bushel would be, if kept dry and clean. 



The farmers of Europe consider peat ashes of more value 

 than any others, and I am persuaded that, could they be 

 fairly tested by some of our best cultivators, great good would 

 result to the community. If the farmers in England can 

 afford to keep men under pay, perpetually burning peat for 

 the sake of the ashes, it is natural to suppose that the poor 

 of our community may be placed in easier circumstances as 

 respects the article of fuel. Thousands of acres of land 

 are to be found in the States of New- York and New-Jersey, 

 and within a few miles of this city, which abound with peat 

 earth ; and the owners of such have already begun to ex- 

 plore their treasures of this description. Good peat is now 

 to be had in the city at the low price of eight cents per 

 bushel, or three dollars per chaldron. It bums well in all 

 sorts of stoves and grates, whether made for wood or coal, 

 and also on the hearth ; and if the ashes are not used to any 

 better purpose than other ashes have hitherto been, it is the 

 cheapest fuel known. I am persuaded that this subject is 



