FERTILIZERS. 31 



mously rich in potash in a latent state. Soils formed from 

 red sandstone contain potash (usually) enough to make 

 the application to some crops unnecessary. 



It may be objected, to the above position, that the trees 

 and plants, having taken the quantity necessary for their 

 structure out of the ground, would leave it poor in potash. 

 In reply, I would say that the natural potash supply is 

 practically inexhaustible : the thrift of the trees indicates 

 that it is supplied as fast as plant-growth can take it up, 

 which is another way of stating that it is rich in available 

 potash. Clover and beans are very sensitive to a defi- 

 ciency of potash in the soil ; and if we farmers wish to 

 inquire of our land as to whether it needs potash in the 

 fertilizers we apply, if we plant either of these, we shall 

 get an answer. Kemp's manure-spreader is an excellent 

 means for spreading ashes, though one would not be likely 

 to think so on looking at it ; yet it is really as good for dis- 

 tributing ashes as it is manure. When filled with manure, 

 it distributes at the rate of four cords to the acre. Four 

 cords are 400 bushels. Now, then, if we wish to spread 

 any given quantity of ashes per acre, we must fill the body 

 just that proportion full as the quantity we desire to use 

 on an acre is of 400. For instance, if we wanted to spread 

 100 bushels to the acre, then we must fill it one-quarter 

 full ; for, if entirely full, it would spread 400. And just 

 here let me repeat, that neither potash nor phosphoric acid 

 wastes to any extent in the soil ; that is, they always re- 

 main within the reach of the roots of plants : and therefore 

 any surplus left over from one crop will be found by after- 

 crops. 



If farmers will get into the habit of testing their soils 

 (we shall illustrate this farther on), they might at times 

 omit the use of potash on their crops with no loss. But it 

 would not be wise to risk this : we should know what we 



