MARL. 177 



barrels, and thereby getting a return for their 

 contents in the shape of wheat and corn. The 

 reader can also see, from the Table given, that 

 wood ashes is worth as much, pound for pound, 

 as many of the leading commercial fertilizers 

 that cost the farmer $50 per ton. 



Coal and peat ashes do not furnish much of 

 the ingredients required as food by plants, but 

 their application would have a beneficial physical 

 effect on some heavy compact soils ; and as these 

 substances cannot possibly do injury to any soil, 

 farmers should spread them over their land, and 

 not let them lie in unsightly piles about their 

 houses and yards. 



Soot from our chimneys and stove-pipes has a 

 value as manure, but it is entirely neglected in 

 this country. English farmers have derived 

 great benefit from its application. Where wood 

 and bituminous coal are used for fuel, thousands 

 of tons are yearly wasted. The following 

 Table shows the quantity of fertilizing elements 

 generally contained in 1000 Ibs. of soot, and 

 their value : 



Gypsum or Plaster 50 Ibs. $0.75 



Phosphoric Acid 7 " 0.87J- 



Potash 10 " 0.80 



Ammonia.. 17 ". 4.25 



Total $0.67! 



Marl is a term used to designate earthy sub- 

 stances containing a variable amount of carbonate 



