No, 7.j OP GRASS AND CLOVER. S 



when applied to green crops the benefit was not sufficiently great to counter-bal- 

 ance the expense." In Northumberland, where it has been tried in a skilful 

 manner by Mr. Gray, of Dilston, it was found to yield a most profitable return 

 on both hay and barley. 



These results show the necessity of further trials, not only for the purposfe of 

 illustrating the cause of the beneficial action of this saline substance, but also 

 with the view of arriving at some general rule by which the practical man may 

 be guided in determining on what fields, and for what crops 07i those fields^ the 

 nitrate of soda may be beneficially applied 



This experiment, like the others above-mentioned, will be much more valua- 

 ble, if ma*B in such a way that the result can be compared with that obtained 

 by the use of other chemical agents. I would, therefore, propose that in the 

 same field of grass or clover, a portion should be measured off, to be top- 

 dressed with nitrate of soda, that thus not only the absolute, but also the com- 

 farative, weight of the produce may at the same time be ascertained. 



5*^. There are other trials also, from which this general subject is capable of 

 receiving illustration. The fertilizing power of gypsum has been explained by 

 its supposed action on the ammonia which is presumed to exist in the atmos- 

 phere. If this be the true explanation, a substance containing ammonia should 

 act at least as energetically. At all events, the action of fold-yard manure and 

 of putrid urine is supposed to depend chiefly on the ammonia they contain or 

 give off. Now, among the substances containing ammonia in large quantity, 

 which in most towns are allowed to run to waste, the ammoniacal liquor of 

 the gas works is one which can easily be obtained, and can be applied in a li- 

 quid state at very little cost. It must be previously diluted with water till its 

 taste and smell become scarcely perceptible. 



I would propose, therefore, as a further experiment, that along with one or 

 more of the substances above-mentioned, the ammoniacal liquor of the gas 

 works should be also tried, on a measured portion of ground, and, if possible, 

 in the same field. 



G°. Soot, as a manure, is supposed to act partly, if not chiefly, in conse- 

 quence of the ammonia it contains. In Gloucestershire it is applied to pota- 

 toes and to wheat, chiefly to the latter, and with great success. In the Wolds 

 of Yorkshire it is also applied largely to the wheat crop, at the rate of about 24 

 bushels to the acre.* In this county it is frequently used on grass land, to the 

 amount of 20 bushels an acre, and though I am not aware that it is extensively 

 employed upon clover, I am inclined to anticipate that the sulphur it contains,t 

 in addition to the ammonia, would render it useful to this plant. At all events, 

 comparative experiments in the same field with the gypsum and the ammonia- 

 cal liquor, are likely to lead to interesting results. 



7°. Common salt, highly recommended as a manure by some, has been as 

 much depreciated by others, and hence, when directly applied, is considered as 

 a doubtful fertilizer by almost all. The obscurity in regai'd to its use, however, 

 rests chiefly on the quantity which ought to be employed. The result of com- 

 parative experiments made in Germany, showed that a very few pounds per 

 acre were sufficient to produce a largely increased return of grass — while in 

 England it has been beneficially applied within the wide limits of from five to 

 twenty bushels per acre, and, when used for cleaning the land for autumn, of 

 thirty bushels an acre. 



Among the comparative experiments upon grass and clover here suggested, 

 the eflfect of salt might also be tried with the prospect of practical benefit. It 

 would give an additional interest to the experiments and supply an additional 

 term of comparison, 



' The price is from 6d. to Is. a bushel. In this county the soot is said to be often of an 

 inferior quality, and brings therefore a less price. 



t The gypaum, I might also say, for much of our soot contains gypsum, the lime being 

 derived chiefly from the sides of the flue. 



