24 Transactions of the State Agricultural Society. [July, 



sorbing powers; both as it regards water and ammonia. And 

 then the condition of barn yard manure as it regards its immedi- 

 ate and remote effects, is not to be overlooked in our estimates of 

 its value. In the subsequent part of the essay, several pages are 

 devoted to the consideration of fermentation, or to the notions 

 which are by some entertained of the importance of the fermen- 

 tation of manure in the ground. As this subject does not bear 

 upon the question of the value ol a load of manure, we shall pass 

 it over without comment. Dr. Gardner very properly speaks of 

 the value of special manures; those manures, which in their com- 

 position are fitted to supply the plant with its inorganic matter, 

 and still we appeal to farmers whether in their experience, barn 

 yard manures taking wet and dry seasons into consideration, and 

 others which attend its accumulation, it is not the cheapest and 

 best. Guano is powerful, it is valuable, provided you can con- 

 trol the season. Farm yard manure never fails in its effect upon 

 vegetation, if properly put into the ground. It may be used in 

 excess, and there are crops to which other matters are better 

 adapted; and still for general use and for all seasons as they 

 come upon us, where has a better material been found. The use 

 of it does not preclude the use of others, of gypsum or of lime, 

 all must be used sooner or later; but it must not be forgotten that 

 organic matters must exist in the soil. Some talk of a total ab- 

 sence of it. The assertion is extravagant and false. No soil is 

 destitute of it, but it is often deficient; and when that is the case 

 your ashes and lime, and nitrogen are powerless. 



The conclusion of Dr. Gardner's essay is in the following 

 words: 



"The basis upon which the doctrine of special manures rests, 

 is unquestionably firm and perfect, but there are still some 

 facts wanted to enable practical men to adopt it. That some 

 crops require lime, others soda, others potash, sulphuric acid, 

 phosphoric acid, &c., is beyond dispute. Equally apparent is the 

 truth that to give every manure to such plants is inexpedient and 

 wasteful. The difficulty rests in two points; the possibility of 

 making proper special composts at a reasonable rate, and a want 

 of experience with such mixtures. On the first point I can speak 

 confidently. Manures exactly resembling the ashes of any vege- 

 table can bo obtained at a cheap rate, and composts made con- 

 taining the same ingredients and in a more soluble and advanta- 

 geous condition, for vegetation, at a trifling cost as compared 

 with good yard manure. To do this it is necessary the farmer 

 should make the necessary substances for himself, as mai>y are 

 not in the market, and all that are so, sell at exorbitant rates, as 

 compared with the price at which they may be made. To at- 

 tempt any detail of this art would be fruitless, the manufactures 



