294 Farmers' Miscellany. [April, 



Silica, 52.32 



Protoxide of iron, 27.56 



Alumina, 8.94 



Potash, 5.50 



Water,- 5.42 



99.74 



Probably few instances are known where the soil of a country 

 was so completely worn out as that of some parts of New Jersey, 

 particularly that of Monmouh county — corn could not be grown 

 upon some of the lighter soils. When, however, marls came 

 into use the lands were speedily renovated. It is necessary, how- 

 ever, to select such as are comparatively free from the decom- 

 posing sulphurets of iron, as they prove injurious rather than 

 beneficial. It is singular that these beds are so perfectly free 

 from calcareous matter. Potash is evidently the fertilizing agent ; 

 and in order to determine the value of a marl it is at least safe to 

 submit it to analysis. It must be observed that the amount of 

 potash varies in different samples, and probably the potash is 

 more abundant in the middle and inferior parts of a bed. 



POTATOE DISEASE. 



To guard against this disease, select the soundest potatoes. 

 Plant early, on a dry soil, and manure with a compost of peat, 

 ashes and lime, or a due admixture of organic matter with the 

 alkalies. 



Seat of the Disease in Potatoes. — Some maintain that it is in 

 the stems; others in the tuber. As it regards treatment it makes 

 no difference in what part the disease is seated. The cause of 

 the rot is just as distant as before. There is no doubt, however, 

 but that the perfection of the potatoe depends upon the health of 

 the leaves and stems, and yet the inquiry returns what has affect- 

 ed their health and vigor. Liebig undertakes to maintain that 

 the sap is changed into vegetable casein. This, however, is only 



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