186 ARTIFICIAL MANURE. 



tralizes, 12 1-2 per cent, of its weight of potash, 

 and in actual practice, alkali to the amount of 6 per 

 cent, of the weight of the geine, in pond mud, has 

 been used. It would therefore appear to be safe to 

 use the theoretical proportion. 



268. But the nitrogen, in cow dung, does not all 

 tell. It is impossible but that some portions of the 

 elements of ammonia, enter into other combinations, 

 and part also escapes as gas. Besides, it is not all 

 brought at once into action, and hence, a less por- 

 tion of alkali than above indicated, may be used. 

 It is probable that not a third of the ammonia acts. 

 Let it be taken at that quantity. Then the equiva- 

 lents are 100 lbs. fresh peat, and 10 2-3 ounces so- 

 da, or 1 lb. of potash, or 1 per cent, of the weight 

 of the peat in commercial potash. 



269. This proportion will allow in round num- 

 bers, to every cord of fresh dug peat, 92 lbs. pot or 

 pearl ashes, or 61 lbs of soda, or 16 to 20 bushels of 

 common house ashes. 



Having no guide here, from experience, of the 

 quantity of alkali, which might be used per acre, yet 

 in order to arrive at conclusions, which could be 

 recommended safely, the alkali has been calculated in 

 the quantity of saltpetre which has been used, with 

 such signal success by O. M. Whipple, Esq., of 



