2 14 AGETCULTDEE. 



strongly confirmed by the experiments given by Mr. Pusey 

 at p. 5 of his pamphlet. 



Neither are the mineral contents of the dung of any 

 value ; confirmed also by the experiment of burning four- 

 teen tons of dung, and applying the ashes to wheat growing, 

 with a slight prejudicial effect. Pusey, p. 5. 



The bushel of wheat which refuses to be produced with- 

 out the application of five Ibs. of ammonia to the soil, and 

 will receive no substitute, contains in itself and in its 

 straw only two Ibs. of ammonia, and is therefore a very 

 "wasteful," "extravagant," "costly" plant, as are barley 

 and oats. Huxtable, pp. 19 and 28. 



In the case of turnips. "The simple phosphorus, which 

 did nothing for wheat, nearly equals the dung for turnips." 

 " Ammonia single does harm." Pusey, pp. 6 and 7. " The 

 mineral theory equally fails," " the application of potash 

 diminished the size of the bulbs " (p. 6) ; and so doubtful 

 is the case of carbon, that Mr. Pusey, after speaking with 

 much hesitation, sums up as follows : " At present, how- 

 ever, we can only say that the three leading principles of 

 manure are, 1st, ammonia; 2nd, phosphorus; and pro- 

 bably, 3rd, carbon." p. 8. 



But turnips, which refuse to be fed by ammonia, are 

 "thrifty plants;" they, "from their own resources, add 

 to the amount." One ton of swedes contains more than 

 five Ibs., and one ton of tops more than twelve Ibs. of am- 

 monia. Huxtable, p. 85. 



We know not how our readers feel, but we are in such a 

 whirl, that, when we consider where we are and where we 

 have been, we are doubtful whether we are not involving 

 ourselves in a labyrinth instead of assisting others in 

 finding their way out. Let us look back one moment. 

 Few years have elapsed since all who held the established 

 faith believed that carbon was the main essence of manure, 

 that a supply of carbon to the soil was the secret of agri- 

 cultural success. Then arose a great prophet a really 

 great man, in spite of one failure who paraded before us 



