304 On burning Clay for Manure, 



not so promising ; — the state of the soil accounts for the 

 difference. 



" I should advise that from fifty to sixty carts be giv- 

 en ; — you must understand I speak always of single carts. 

 Two acres of cole, which had forty carts of ashes, the 

 surface soil being burnt for turnips, are an admirable 

 crop ; and show, where there is depth of soil, the burn- 

 ing is unattended with injury. 



" I conceive I am justified in anticipating a rapid in- 

 crease of green crops, the means of producing them be- 

 ing now within the reach of every one. 



" The farmer who consumes his straw with turnips, 

 makes manure nearly in a ratio of eight to three, and ad- 

 vances the quality full one-half. By augmenting the 

 quantity of dung given to strong soils, much benefit will 

 accrue, as has been satisfactorily proved by the interest- 

 ing experiment of Mr. Stewart of Hillside, Fifeshire. 



" I do not think I am too sanguine in viewing the ge- 

 neral adoption of the system of surface soil and clay- 

 burning, as likely to be the most important discovery for 

 the interests of agriculture, that has occurred since the in- 

 troduction of the turnip into Norfolk by lord Townsend. 



" If any further information appears to you requisite, 

 I shall have great pleasure in hearing from you ; grati- 

 fied in the opportunity of proving the respect with which 

 I have the honour to remain, 



" Your obedient servant, 



"J. C. Curwen." 



