J^ATURE AND PHEPARATION OF MANURE. 39 



t(st kind has been found to be more efficacious than two of the 

 common barn dung. Their operation as manures is similar to 

 that of g-ypsum, having little or no effect when first applied to 

 wheat or rye ; but by its afterwards covering the ground with a 

 thick growth of white clover, it is then rendered fit for produc- 

 ing largely of these crops. They are peculiarly excellent for 

 Indian corn, and all summer grain, and a less quantity is suffi- 

 cient. They may be used as top dressings. It will be recol- 

 lected that in all the older states, considerable tracts of land 

 are frequently found to consist of these bog meadows and 

 swamps, as they are usually called, which are often surrounded 

 by a dry barren soil ; all of which, by applying the manures 

 they contain, as above described, may be gradually converted 

 into healthy and productive soils, capable of supporting thou- 

 sands of our citizens, with the necessaries and conveniences of 

 life. 



Ashes, as manure, are found to be more efficacious, m^some 

 parts of the country, than in others ; most so when applied to 

 lands near the ocean. They generally answer the most valua- 

 ble parpose, when applied to Indian corn, especially on such 

 soils as are not suitable to this plant. When the soil is wet, 

 cold, loamy, or clayey, the plants are apt to become stunted by 

 tha cold rains, which usually fall after planting, and the ashes, 

 in such cases, supply the natural deficiency of the soil, till it 

 becomes fertilized by the summer sun. But when the soil is 

 natural to the growth of this plant, and when it will not be 

 likely to be stunted in its first growth, it would probably be bet- 

 ter to apply the ashes later, so that the plant may derive il e 

 greatest assistance from this manure, while the ears are settlr-g 

 and forming. Ashes shotild generally be used for top drer:- 

 sings ; their salts lose nothing by exposure to the air, and soon 

 find their way into the soil. 



Lime is much used in Great Britain, and other northern parts 

 of Europe, where the summers are cool, and much soil that may 

 be called cold. It has been thought best to apply it pure t.>^ 

 soils, or in compost, immediately after it is slacked. In stiff 

 clays, it is found that lime would be peculiarly useful in des- 

 troying the adhesive quality of the soil. Some limestone is 

 principally combined with argillaceous, and some with silicious 

 earths, and some is found to contain a large portion of magne- 

 sia. The former is generally known by its hardness and smooth- 

 ness of surface when broken, and is the best calculated to ben- 

 efit a clay soil. The silicious limestone is the best for clay, 

 and is most soft and of unequal parts when broken. That 

 which contains much magnesia is found to bo destructive U> 



