FERTILIZERS. 33 



if either that or the ashes are damp, in my experience 

 I found a loss of ammonia immediately perceptible. If 

 mixed with a mixture of fish and barn manure, it will 

 hasten decomposition; but the mass should be covered 

 with soil, to catch the ammonia. 



Mr. Lawes, after his famous experiments in England, 

 extending over a period of forty years, concludes that in 

 his soil, which is a strong clay, potash is found naturally 

 in sufficient quantity, and therefore no artificial supply is 

 required. In this country, the application of potash usually 

 has a good effect on clay soils ; though, as potash enters 

 largely into their composition, one would naturally infer 

 the contrary. The benefits from it are thought to be due 

 to its indirect action in opening the soil or otherwise im- 

 proving its mechanical condition, and also by rendering 

 other plant-food available. In the valuable experiments 

 inaugurated by the Connecticut commissioner of agricul- 

 ture, it was found that potash helped the crop most on 

 the poorer soils, while it did but little good on those that 

 were rich. Professor Ville recommends potash especially 

 for pease, beans, clover, lucern, flax, and potatoes. Out of 

 twenty-six experiments in corn-raising, it was noted by 

 Professor Atwater, that of the three elements, viz., 

 nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash, the latter did most 

 good in five of them, proved useful in six, and in the 

 remaining fifteen did no good. In the experiments at 

 the Agricultural College of Maine, beans were decidedly 

 benefited by the application of potash, while ruta-bagas 

 were not helped. It has been found, that, when muriate 

 of potash and nitrate of soda are mixed together, and* 

 applied as a fertilizer, in dry seasons they did more harm 

 than good. It is found that plants have the power of 

 substituting potash for soda, but the reverse does not 

 always hold true. 



