Notices for a Toting Farmer. ix 



although our interest in this grain, induces our peculiar at- 

 tention to its misfortunes ; but, like Radishes sown with Tur- 

 nips, success does not always attend the experiment, though 

 well worthy of trial. 



If you cannot get Lime, or Animal manure, mix Earths of 

 different qualities and textures, or plough in green Manures ; 

 such as Buck-wheat, clover, &c. Turn them in deep, to pre- 

 vent evaporation in gases ; which would occur in Summer 

 fallows, superficially ploughed. 



For Composts, move old fences, and plough up their scites ; 

 thus destroying hedge-rows, and other nuisances ; and mix 

 tussocks, weeds (cut before going to seed,) and all putresci- 

 ble substances, in long and low beds, to be turned by the 

 plough. Go into your woods, and compost leaves and wood- 

 soil ; also use mould from low places, washed thither by rains 

 and floods ; and throw out the beds of stagnant ponds. Lime 

 with the latter, is beneficial, and plaster operates wonder- 

 fully with the former, on the decayed vegetable matter ; as 

 do ashes, on pond or river-mud. Plaster, in compost in 

 which vegetable matter is mixed, is more beneficial than lime. 

 Whether salt be or not a manure, is not well ascertained ; 

 but it has had success in small quantities. See 2 vol. Phila- 

 delphia Memoirs, p. 173, 4, 5,7. The Chinese make much 

 use of sea water as manure, on lands near their coasts ; and 

 those in the interior, scatter salt over their fields ; before they 

 are tilled. The same practise is pursued in Hindostan. 



IV. You gain a season in the wholesome efficacy of lime, by 

 spreading and harrowing it well in, on your fall-ploughed 

 fallows. Its causticity is thus mitigated or destroyed, by 

 winter exposure ; and you may the more safely use dung, the 

 ensuing season, for your crops, without danger of injurious 

 effects from hot lime. 



If you plant Indian Corn, on either fall or spring ploughed 

 sod-fallow, (or any other) deeply tilled, (and it is the most 

 desirable and cleaning crop,) plaster the hills — as they are 

 technically called — or sow the gypsum over the whole field ; 

 and some do both, after the plants are sufficiently forward. 

 The seed should be wetted and rolled in plaster, or sleeped 



B 



