3 OP GRASS AND CLOVER. [Appendix, 



the list of suggestions, but I neither wish to fatigue yoAx attention, nor to place 

 before you more work of the kind than can be readily accomplished, with little 

 expense of time, labour, or money. Another season will, I hope, afford us an 

 opportunity of interrogating nature by further, and perhaps more refined, modes 

 of Experimenting. 



1. OF GRASS AND CLOVBR. 



1°. It is beyond dispute, that on certain soils, gypsum causes a largely in- 

 creased growth of grass and clover, but experiment alone appears capable of 

 determining on what soils it is likely to be thus beneficial. Such experiments, 

 therefore, ought to be made on every farm, on a small scale at first, and at little 

 cost,* but made with care and accuracy, and with a minute attention to weights 

 and measures. 



2°. The action of gypsum appears to be entirely chemical, but the only ex- 

 planation of this action yet attempted is far from being satisfactory. It is desi- 

 rable therefore, that experiments witlf other substances should be made, which 

 are likely to throw light on the theory. Important practical results may at the 

 same time be obtained — they are sure, indeed, to follow from a right under- 

 standing of the theory. 



In the neighbourhood of Lyons, it has been found that very dilute sulphuric 

 acidt (oil of vitrol) exliibits the same beneficial effect upon clover, that has else- 

 where attended the use of gypsum. It is desira.ble, therefore, that a compara- 

 tive experiment should be made with this acid on a portion of the same field to 

 which the gypsum is applied. Where the one fails the other may act. 



3'^. It was observed by Dr. Home, of Edinburgh, so early as the year 1756, 

 that sulphate of sodat had a remarkable effect in promoting the growth of plants 

 — its action bein^ nearly equal to that of saltpetre or nitrate of soda. This fact, 

 though mentioned by Lord Dundonald, has been lost sight of by practical men, 

 the sulphate of soda being generally represented as too high in price to be avail- 

 able as a fertilizer.! The use of saltpetre, however, and of nitrate of soda, both 

 of which are more than double the price of sulpliate of soda, show that the cost 

 of this latter article should not stand in the way of an accurate trial of its value 

 as a fertilizer on various crops. Dry sulphate of soda can be readily obtained 

 from any of the alkali works on the Tyne,ll and being an article of domestic 

 manufacture, it is proper that its merits should be ascertained, and, if it can be 

 available, that its use should be encouraged. 



From the circumstance of its containing sulphuric acid, therefore, I would 

 recommend that it should be tried on clover and grass, in comparison with 

 gypsum and sulphuric acid, and on a portion of the same field. It may suc- 

 ceed where the others fail. 



4°. Nitrate of soda also, as a top-dressing on grass land, has been often used 

 with great benefit. I have seen grassland in Dumfriesshire, which, after being 

 long let for pasture at 30s. an acre, had been sprinkled with an annual top- 

 dressing of nitrate of soda at the rate of 20s. an acre, and had since readily let 

 at je4 an acre, yielding thus an annual profit of 30s. an acre to the landlord. 



In other districts, again, it has been found to answer better for corn. Thus, 

 after a discussion on this subject in the Gloucester Farmers' Club, it was agreed, 

 that nitrate of soda " was a very valuaMe mSiure for white straw crops, but 



* The price of gypsum in London is about 2)* 6d. per cwt. ; in Newcastle, 3s. 



t Gypsum consists of sulphuric acid and lime. 



X Olauber salts — consisting of sulphuric acid and soda. 



§ Lord Dundonald says—" From experiments it has been proved to promote vegetation in 

 a very high degree. The high price at present of this article precludes the use of it, but 

 could it-be made and sold at a cheap rate, it would pi-ove a most valuable acquisition to agri- 

 culture."'*' Since the time of Lord Dundonald some trials made in Germany have shown it 

 to have a beneficial action on rye, potatoes, and fruit trees. 



I Messrs. Aj^an & Co., of the Heworth Alkali Works, deliver it in Newcastle and the neigh 

 bouring townsj'at 9s. or 10s. per cwt. 



