154 



EFFECTS OF MURIATIC ACID. 



amounting, on the whole, to 660 kilogrammes, or about 6 per 

 cent. This diminution, however, is so small, that, had there 

 been duplicate or triplicate experiments to determine the limits 

 of natural variation, it might have disappeared altogether. 



Rigorous comparative experiments, therefore, with this sub- 

 stance are still required, applying it, 



a In different proportions of 1, 1J, and 2 cwt. per acre. 



b At different and successive periods. 



c To different crops, not only to herbage and young corn, 

 but to root-crops, and to fruit-trees. In France it was said to 

 have increased potatoes and onions to two or three tunes their 

 usual size ; it is deserving of trial, therefore, upon these crops. 

 To fruit-trees it must be applied in the liquid form, and it might 

 not be less advantageous if tried upon other plants also in a 

 state of solution. 



Comparative experiments with other chlorides are also to be 

 recommended similar to those I have described when treating 

 of common salt, (p. 150.) 



2. Muriatic acid. The muriatic acid, or spirit of salt of the 

 shops, has not been much tried in agricultural experiments. 

 It has been most frequently used in dissolving bones, though 

 for this purpose sulphuric acid is now generally preferred. 



The only numerical results obtained by the use of this acid 

 which I have met with, are given by Mr Tinzmann, whose 

 experiments with sulphuric acid are quoted in a preceding 

 chapter. In 1841 he applied it to clover, at the rate of 7 Ib. 

 per imperial acre, in different states of dilution, with the fol- 

 lowing effects upon the quantities of hay and seed yielded by 

 the Prussian morgen : 



Hay. 



No application, . . 11 cwt. 30 Ib. 



Muriatic acid with 100 water, 12 ... SO ... 



200 ... 12 ... 30 ... 



500 ... 13 ... 10 ... 



1000 15 .. 60 .. 



ions was 



The after barley crop in 1824 from the five porti< 

 7, 10 J, 9f , 9J, and 7 bushels respectively. 



The quantity of acid employed in these experiments was too 



