VEGETABLE MANURES. 1 5 1 



234. Rape-dust. — As the most valuable portions of the 

 organic and inorganic matters of vegetables are accnmulated 

 in the seeds, their application to the soil, when their power of 

 germinating has been destroyed, must prove exceedingly usefnl. 

 In Italy, the seeds of the white lupin, and in England, the 

 cake (77) which remains when the linseed, rape, and other 

 oily seeds are subjected to pressure for the preparation of 

 the oil, are much employed as manure. The cako contains 

 all the nitrogen and inorganic matters of the seeds, and 

 must therefore possess great activity as manure. It is 

 usually crushed into dust, and applied in that form. In 

 many parts of England rape-dust is regarded as especially 

 beneficial in promoting the growth of grain, and particularly 

 upon thin, poor soils, deficient in organic matter. Its effects 

 are rapidly produced, but are not of long contmuance. 

 Combined with more lasting manures, it has been found of 

 great value in starting the turnip-crop. The most economical 

 and certain method of applying it, according to Mr. Hannam, 

 is by drilling it in with the seed ; and, in using it, care should 

 be taken, as with all rapidly fermenting manures, to mix it 

 with a little earth, so as to prevent its coming into imme- 

 diate contact with the seed (193). In Belgium, the farmers 

 mix both rape and linseed-cake with their liquid manure, to 



The soil was a medium clay, with a hard subsoil, but was thorough - 

 drained and subi-oiled. Lot No. 3 was the best in appearance the whole 

 season, although the worst part of the field, as to soil ; and the turnips 

 on this lot were more solid and firm in texture. The crop was sown on 

 the 10th June, 1844, and weighed in February, 1845. 



Tlie concentrated manure, of which the following is an analysis, by 

 Professor Penny of Glasgow, cost 4s. per cwt. 



ANALYSIS OF CONCENTRATED MANURE. 



Organic matter soluble in water 3-93 



Salts of Ammonia 1*50 



Salts of Potash and Soda 1-28 



Organic Salts of Lime and Magnesia 8-40 



Phosphate of Lime and Magnesia 6*30 



Carbonate of Lime and Magnesia 1 '30 



Oxide of Iron 0*80 



Animal matter, &c. insoluble in water 34-50 



Silica, &c 26-23 



Water 15-00 



Loss 1*76 



100-00 

 N 



