68 . MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



ash results obtained and their assumed fertilizing influence 

 upon the field. To obtain "twenty cart-loads of ashes from 

 two and one-half acres of pasture land," it would be necessary 

 for Mr. Horton to cut down in bushes, and dig up in roots, 

 and haul to his "pile," at least five hundred "cart-loads" of 

 the material. This is apparent from the fact that such woods 

 contain only about two and one-half per cent, of ash constitu- 

 ents. A "cart-load" of ashes maybe assumed to be forty 

 bushels, weighing forty pounds to the bushel ; this gives in 

 weight to the load sixteen hundred pounds, and to the twenty 

 loads, thirty-two thousand pounds. It seems utterly impos- 

 sible to obtain thirty -two thousand pounds of ashes from bushes 

 and roots taken from " two and one-half acres of old pasture 

 laud"; and, if obtained, the dressing would be enormous. 

 Another inexplicable point in this statement is, How could 

 Mr. Horton plough the Jaud, cut down the crop of bushes, 

 dig up the roots, and cart away the immense amount of 

 material , at a cost of only twenty dollars ? As a " great part 

 of the dressing (ashes) was blown off by the wind," the fertil- 

 ity of the field is presumably due to the manure applied. The 

 loss of twenty "cart-loads" of dry wood-ashes, is a serious 

 one, the cash value being, upon the estimate above given, at 

 thirty cents a bushel, $240, — more than twice the value of the 

 hay crop secured. 



It only need be said, that it requires but a glance at this 

 statement to learn that it was prepared in a hasty manner, 

 and without due consideration. There is, probably, no inten- 

 tion of inaccuracy of statement, and these strictures are kindly 

 made, with the view of securing in the future more exact and 

 reliable accounts of the farm labors and farm improvements. 

 The estimates here made differ from those of the Committee, 

 in item, cost, etc., but not essentially in general result. 



As regards the astonishing yield of ashes from an acre of 

 land, alluded to by Mr. Column, and quoted by the Commit- 

 tee, it may be said that that ash result came from the burning 

 of turf, and the ash was composed of at least ninety per cent, 

 of silica or sand, and therefore it was comparatively value- 

 less. Pure peat ashes, I have found to give, upon analysis, 

 eighty-one per cent, of silica, which accounts for their small 

 value as plant-food. Turf is sand, with a small amount of 



