224 On Manures. 



that substance in considerable quantities ; and hence there 

 is reason to believe, that it is a necessary part of the woody 

 fibre of these, as well as a component part in most of the 

 other grasses. Cultivated soils in general, contain it in suffi- 

 cient quantities for the grasses which they produce ; but where 

 there is any deficiency, fields, which have ceased to bear 

 good crops of clover, and other artificial grasses, are often 

 completely restored to their former fertility, by the use of 

 gypsum ( z38 ). It imparts such a vigour of vegetation to 

 plants, destined to form either natural or artificial pasture, that 

 it stimulates them constantly to push forth very succulent 

 shoots, and frequently to renew the stalks which are cut for 

 cattle. The rationale of its effects may be deduced from its 

 extraordinary septic quality, for it is found to accelerate pu- 

 trefaction in a greater degree than any other substance ; 

 and hence, it is not ploughed in like other manures, but 

 barely strewed on the surface of the land of a dry quality, 

 such as suits clover. 



In lands full of calcareous matter, the celebrated Ingen- 

 houz strongly recommended, sprinkling sulphuric acid on 

 the soil, so as to make an artificial gypsum. This, he 

 contended, would be a likely means of benefiting the crops 

 of clover, and other valuable grasses, and might be useful 

 even to crops of corn. The plan is well worth a trial, in 

 soils where calcareous earths much abound. There is reason 

 also to hope, that the application of sulphuric acid may be 

 of use, both to tilly and to mossy soils, by neutralizing any 

 noxious substances they may contain, unfavourable to vege- 

 tation. 



3. Earthy Manures. 



Under this head may be classed, vegetable mould or loam, 

 peat-earth, clay or sand, burnt clay, sea-ooze or warp, canal, 

 pond, or river mud, and road-scrapings. 



1. Mould or Loam. In many cases, as in forming roads, 

 making canals, erecting new houses, &c. considerable quan- 

 tities of excellent mould or loam are dug up, which, not be- 

 ing required for any purpose on the spot, are removed, and 

 applied, either in making compost dunghills, or in augment- 

 ing the staple of land, where there is any deficiency of 

 depth. 



2. Peat Earth. This substance, (called bog-stuff m Ire- 

 land), when applied to light and gravelly soils, produces ex- 

 cellent crops, more especially if mixed with a small portion 



