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is their chemical action. Their mechanical action is rendering soils less tenacious. Ashes 

 may be used in most composts to great advantage, as tlie alkali excites decomposition. 



Lime has been used on my farm to great advantage. I have sown seven to eight thousand 

 bushels within the last six years and give decided preference to the oyster shell, for the reason 

 that it contains no magnesia, which most of the stone limes do. I do not know whether it 

 has been noticed, but I think it has a tendency to lessen the growth of the stem and leaves of 

 plants and increase the fruit and seeds. Four years since I manured a fifteen acre lot with oyster 

 shell lime, using three hundred bushels to the acre, on land that would not before grow anything 

 more valuable than Johnswort. That year the wheat grown on it weighed sixty-four pounds to 

 the bushel. I seeded it with one bushel of clover seed and half a bushel of timothy to the 

 acre, and the first year after, cut two and a half tons and the second year three tons of hay 

 to the acre. After mowing I usually top dress with a dry composition, and my afterwork is 

 half as valuable as the first cutting, which is used for soiling stock. Lime is used on my 

 farm to great advantage in potatoe culture. To it 1 attribute my success in that branch of 

 agriculture. My potatoes never rot in the ground, when all the neighboring fields are entirely 

 destroyed ; they keep all Winter, and are generally very mealy and fine. This year they were 

 very good, but not as large as usual, owing to the severe drought experienced throughout the 

 Spring, Summer and Fall. I am clearly of opinion that the rot is caused by insects which 

 the lime destroys. Bone manure I have likewise used to some extent, and can confidently 

 recommend its use, particularly in soils long cultivated destitute of phosphate of lime. It is 

 probably the most efficacious substance that can be used on a perfectly worn-out soil. It will 

 be found of more advantage on a dry calcarious soil than on one containing much alumina 

 I usually mix it with earth and allow it to ferment before spreading it on the land, and 

 use from twelve to thirty bushels to the acre. I have found it of more advantage to 

 the turnip crop than any other. In compost it is particularly valuable, yielding phosphates. 

 As to its durability, personally, I can say nothing. Dr. Stanly, Bishop of Norwich, says : — 

 " Lands in Cheshire bone dusted twenty years ago, show almost to a yard where this manure 

 was applied." I hope the day is not far distant when the exportation of bones to foreign 

 countries may cease. 



Farm yard manure, if properly managed, is the most important to farmer. This varies 

 much in value. Two farmers may keep a stock of twenty cows each, and still the manure 

 made in the yard of one may be inferior to that made in the yard of the other ; the one 



