101 



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

 and witliout due consideration. Tliere is probably no inten- 

 tion of inaccuracy of statement, and these strictures are 

 kindly made with the view of securing in the future more ex- 

 act and reliable accounts of farm labors and farm improve- 

 ments. The estimates here made differ from those of the 

 Committee, in item, cost, &c., but not essentially in general 

 result. 



As regards the astonishing yield of ashes from an acre of 

 land, alluded to by Mr. Colman, 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 j^er cent* 

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

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

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

 value as plant food. Tarf is saud, with a small amount of 

 vegetable matter diffused through it, and when it is burned, 

 the sand remains behind in a heap, resembling pure ashes. 

 Mr. Hortou's experiment is different ; he alleges that his 

 ashes were the result of the burning of bushes and roots. 

 The "heath" and peat lands of England and Ireland are very 

 different from our waste lands, and the methods of treatment 

 for recovery cannot well be the same. 



The treatment pursued by Mr. Horton is essentially that 

 which was adopted by our forefathers one and two hundred 

 years ago. A rare old book may be found in the lil^rary of 

 the Essex Agricultural Society, entitled, "Essays upon Field 

 Husbandry in New England, by Jared Elliot, A. M.,". pub- 

 lished in 1760, in which a statement is made on page 6, of 

 experiments in reclaiming Avaste land, which in methods 

 adopted closely resemble those of Mr. Horton. It is to be 

 regretted that we have so little which is new to present upon 



so important a branch of husbandry. 



Jas. E. Nichols. 



