136 [Senate 



year, in smaller quantities than in previous years. I am of opinion, 

 that a gill to the hill, at planting, is better than a larger quantity." 



From another experienced farmer in the same vicinity, I have the 

 following report on its application to ruta bagas and other vegeta- 

 bles, viz : 



" On ruta baga, forty bushels to the acre, produced an astonishing 

 result, a large number of experienced farmers pronouncing it the most 

 abundant crop they ever saw In the garden it was equally effectual, 

 producing the rinest melons, squashes, cucumbers, peas, beans, &c. 

 Indeed I consider it peculiarly suitable for all kinds of annual plants, 

 which require a rapid growth." 



After several years' further experience with it, the same gentleman, 

 who has used over four thousand five hundred bushels, within the last 

 six years, says, — " My opinion of its value on most crops, was ex- 

 pressed in a former communication, and the correctness of that opi- 

 nion has been fully confirmed by further use. The past season, I 

 applied it principally to oats and wheat; and it may be sufficient to 

 say, that the result was entirely satisfactory. Indeed the convenience 

 and advantages resulting from the use of the article are so great, that 

 one accustomed to possess them, would hardly think himself able to 

 carry on farming without them." A gentleman in Westchester 

 county, New-York, says, — " For grass, as a top-dressivg, I can speak 

 in the highest terms of poudrette," and " for turnips, I know it to be 

 almost a certain guard against the fly; mine, this year, are as fine as 

 were ever raided in the country. I put the poudrette in the drill, 

 after the seed, and it took but a very small quantity, only enough to 

 be seen." 



Mr. Samuel Fleet, a gentleman of much experience, both as a prac- 

 tical farmer and agricultural writer, says, — " I find it very efficient 

 where applied at seeding down. The seed took much better in the 

 same field, where poudrette was used, than where other manure was 

 applied, the whole being put down at the same time." 



For melons and other vines, its effects have been thoroughly tested. 

 One gentleman says, — " I planted water-melons in rather poor gra- 

 velly soil, in 1841, by digging holes eighteen inches wide, and put 

 one quart of poudrette mixed well with earth, in each hill; when the 

 plants were up, I added another pint of poudrette to each hill, spread- 

 ing it over a space of about three feet, and hoeing it well in. The 

 effect was, that the vines grew vigorously, and on the small patch of 

 three square rods of ground, I gathered sixty-three melons, weighing 

 from thirty to forty pounds each." 



Another gentleman, who resides in the northwestern part of Con- 

 necticut, says, — " I have found poudrette sprinkled on vines, the 

 most effectual application to destroy insects which were eating the 

 leaves or stalks, more especially the large black insect, which de- 

 stroys the vine of the winter squash in autumn. 1 have not been 

 troubled with worms in the cornfield where it was used; but I do not 

 infer from my limited experience, that it will always prevent their 

 ravages." 



Upon an old field of fourteen acres, in Monmouth county, New- 



