FALLOWING. 7 1 



earth deposited by rains, &c. It is most suitable for 

 sand}^ or gravelly soils. It should not be put upon 

 ground, especially those in a state of grass, until it has 

 been reduced into a considerable degree of fineness, by 

 means of frequent turning over, and the mixing of por- 

 tions of lime, rotten dung, or other materials of the 

 same kind, in order to render the decay of its parts 

 complete. As a top dressing for grass it should not be 

 laid on very thick. Mr. Deane says he has known it to 

 have as good an effect as barn dung, in the culture of 

 Indian corn, upon dry soils; and that it meliorates the 

 land for several years. The best method of managing 

 all sorts of mud, were it not for increasing the labour, 

 would be to lay it in farm yards, and let it be thoroughly 

 mixed with the dung, and state of animals. When it is 

 so managed, the compost is excellent, and fit for almost 

 any soil, though best for light ones. Perhaps the advan- 

 tage is sufficient to pay for the increased expense of 

 twice carting. Mud taken from the docks, and sides of 

 wharves in large towns is very valuable. 



Salt. By numerous experiments, it it decided, that 

 sea salt acts as a manure in some cases to a degree that 

 proves its excellence when properly applied. In pla- 

 ces where experiments have been made, salt has been 

 called, the most efficacious.^ the best., and the cheapest of all 

 manures. Its effects are said to have been visible in 

 some places after 30 years ! It is considered the most 

 grateful to vegetation of all manures. Cattle fed on 

 land manured with salt, are said to fatten in two thirds 

 the usual time. Their flesh is also finer flavoured. Salt 

 is considered most efficacious, when mixed in composts, 

 in dunghills, or strewed over dung when carried to the 

 field. If unmixed, undissolved, or used in too great 

 quantities, it endangers the existence of tender plants. 

 Pulverised, and applied as a top dressing, at the rate of 

 from 2 to 4 bushels to the acre, it has had a powerful 

 effect. Flax has been much assisted by two bushels per 

 acre, and even five instead of being injurious has been 

 of extrordinary advantage. It is supposed that flax and 

 all oily seed should be sown with double their quantity 

 of salt. It is recommended for turnips, onions, destroy- 

 ing weeds and noxious vermin. Sown thick over a as- 

 paragus (a maratime plant) in the fall, and lightly 



