Ym., 



1^1) 140 THE GENESEE FAEMEE. 





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We have so repeatedly -within the last three years given our views respecting the 

 efficacy of this manure, that our correspondents must excuse us for stating them in as 

 few words as possible, and without giving the reasons on which our opinion is founded. 

 We think, then, that under no circumstances is it good economy to purchase super- 

 phosphate of lime as a manure for wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, timothy, or old meadow 

 grasses. If your soil is deficient of phosphoric acid, supply the deficiency with phos- 

 phate of lime at seven mills per pound, and not with bi-phosphate at eight cents ; for 

 though phosphate of lime is insoluble, yet by decomposition, &c., it is gradually ren- 

 dered available for the plants. The only crop for which we can confidently and con- 

 scienciously recommend a farmer to purchase superphosphate of lime, is the turnij) crop. 

 On turnips, (ruta baga, mangels, beets, &c.,) this manure, when drilled with the seed, 

 has a most magical efiect — in many instances which we have seen, increasing the crop 

 ten-fold. On clover, peas, &c., it does much good ; but we think it will not jyay on 

 these crops. For Indian corn we cannot speak experimentally, but, reasoning deduct- 

 ively, we most confidently believe it will do little good, and certainly will not pay to use. 



As a manure for turnips, we consider — in fact, we know — that any addition of sul- 

 phate of ammonia, guano, or anything that will injure the germinating principle of the 

 seed when drilled with it, is a manifest detriment to the article ; and we are sorry that 

 those parties who at first manufactured plain superphosphate of lime, have been induced 

 to follow the so-called improvements of other manufacturers, however influential. We 

 would say to these gentlemen, manufacture a good superphosphate from finely ground 

 animal charcoal, and sell it as low as you can afford ; recommend it only as a manure 

 for turnips, pumpkins, squashes, lettuce, young trees, &c. ; and you will be entitled to the 

 thanks of the agricultural community. But do not attempt improvements, nor recom- 

 mend it for wheat, corn, &c. ; for after you have done all, you can not make it equal, 

 for these crops, to good Peruvian guano. 



An easy method to determine the value of superphosphate of lime, is to take 100 

 parts, rub it well with distilled water added in successve quantities till everything 

 soluble in water is dissolved, filter, and evaporate the clear liquid to one-third its bulk, 

 add a little chloride of calcium, then precipitate by adding ammonia. This precipitate 

 heated to redness should weigh 18 to 20 per cent, of a good superphosphate; if much 

 less than this, it is an inferior or adulterated article. 



SPRING WORK. 



Indian Corn. — Perhaps there is no crop that an American farmer cultivates about 

 which so little is know as that of Maize. It is indigenous to the New World. It grows 

 on the poores-t sands, on the most tenacious clays, on granite rocks and rich alluvial 

 bottoms. In some of tlve Southern States of the Union it is planted in January, and 

 m the Northern ones in June. In every clime — on every soil, in this vast continent, 

 Indian corn grows, as it were, spontaneously without tlie culture, care and attention of 

 the planter. The ease ivith which it is 2^rodnced is 2)robably one of the jyrijicipal reasons 

 why we have neglected to study its peculiar reqnirements. Its importance all admit. 

 Its seed is the most nutritious of all the cereals, while its stalks are of incalculable value 

 as food for cattle during our long winters. Experience has taught us a few things 

 respecting the physical requirements of the maize plant. It does not require so tenacious 

 or compact a soil as the wheat plant demands. It delights in a loose, friable, warm, 

 porous, deep soil, abounding in rich nitrogenous organic matter. It does well on all 

 good wheat soils ; yet it often does best on soils that will not produce good wheat. 

 If we furnish the wheat plant with all its manurial elements in the greatest profusion, 



