240 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



aslies to the acre, in the hill. Ashes seem to be well adapted 

 to mowing fields ; the result of the application is to bring in 

 clover. Onions are raised with success where ashes arc applied 

 together with manure. I would not be understood as recom- 

 mending the mixture of ashes with manure in this case or any 

 other, unless the mixture be immediately ploughed under ; the 

 result being similar to the mixture of lime and manure, it tends 

 to dispel the ammonia in the manure. 



Plaster of Paris when mixed with ashes and put in the hill 

 for corn, produces excellent results. 



Thorough cultivation and pulverization, are important meth- 

 ods of increasing fertility. Jethro Tull's theory was, that 

 minute division, and pulverizing, without the application of 

 manure, would maintain the fertility of the soil. And exper- 

 iments have proved the value of pulverization. In ploughing, 

 merely turning over the soil should not be the only aim, but to 

 break it up and fine it. Continued stirring opens the earth to 

 the influence of the sun and air, the earth is warmed, and 

 chemical changes are produced, and each time the soil is stirred 

 adds to its fertility. 



But how can wet soils be pulverized ? Ploughing tends 

 rather to press together, and render them more compact, and 

 less penetrable by air and water. 



This leads us to ask the question, 



IS DRAINAGE MANURE? 



What are the effects of drainage ? Thorough drainage 

 deepens the soil. Of what use is it to plough deep and manure 

 heavily, while the soil is full of water. The roots of plants will 

 not go down into stagnant water. The elements of plant food, 

 are not all on the surface, many of them have been washed 

 down by the rains, some of them are found in the decomposing 

 rocks themselves. Take away the water and the roots will find 

 them. 



Drainage lengthens the seasons. In our climate this is an 

 important point to be gained. If by drainage, one or two 

 weeks could be gained, it Avould be quite a relief in our back- 

 ward springs, when there is so much to be done in a short 

 space of time. 



