516 PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 



that is, should be adapted to supply these substances. Here is 

 a precise and definite object, which, if these observations be 

 correct, should be kept constantly in view ; and, for the suc- 

 cessful prosecution of which, all farmers who go into this cul- 

 ture should endeavor to prepare themselves. 



There is nothing peculiar in the circumstances of the farmer 

 of Plymouth County requiring a mode of management, in this 

 regard, dilTering at all from that necessary to be pursued by 

 others. If the physical constitution of our soil differs, in any 

 respect, from that of other places, — if the silicious element be, 

 as it probably is, more copiously diffused here, in some locali- 

 ties, than it is in many other parts of the State, — it is equally 

 true that it is found to exist, in undue proportion, in some fields 

 of almost every farm, wherever situated ; and judicious modes 

 of treating soils in which this, or aluminous mineral, or vege- 

 table matter, are present in greater or less disproportion to the 

 other ingredients, appear to be those of manuring or mixing, 

 according to circumstances, as already suggested. Then as to 

 appropriate manure ; it is a most important and interesting 

 question, what are the substances to be incorporated into the 

 usual composts, or combined for separate application, best 

 adapted to supply with them, or otherwise, the nutritious prin- 

 ciples above specified? Where is the requisite nourishment 

 to be found, in a state adapted to organize a crop? 



Almost all our soils contain such, since almost all of them 

 are capable of producing corn, in a greater or less quantity. 

 Ordinary composts, that is, composts formed of the excretions 

 of cattle kept upon hay, corn fodder, and straw, combined with 

 litter, muck, loam, (one or both,) with or without wood ashes, 

 also contain it, since they serve to augment production ; but in 

 neither is it found, at once, in sufficient quantity and in an 

 available form. This is evident from the /act that substances 

 ascertained, by chemical analysis, to be rich in elements in 

 which such composts are comparatively deficient, when em- 

 ployed in conjunction with the latter, will still further augment 

 production. But what are such substances ? What will do 

 this ? I answer, guano probably will do it ; although from my 

 own experience I know not such to be the case. One thing in 

 respect to it is certain, and that is, that the recent agitation of the 

 question concerning the proprietorship of the Lobos Islands, 



