76 A MANUAL OF 



and the contents of the four barrels were spread, 

 with a shovel, upon about one third of an acre 

 in the centre of a field which we afterwards 

 planted with potatoes. The result, as any one 

 might naturally infer, was a total dearth of 

 vegetation upon that land for one year. Not 

 even a weed dared to lift its head, and a cas- 

 ual observer might have supposed that a pond 

 of water had recently dried away, leaving the 

 middle of our field clean and bare. The fol- 

 lowing season that spot was selected as a site 

 for carrots and asparagus plants, both of which 

 grew finely, and with but little trouble from 

 weeds. 



Judging from the results of this experiment, 

 we believe that a heavy application of salt 

 might frequently be made to pay upon rich, 

 old grounds which have become badly infested 

 with weeds, though at a loss of use for one 

 season. A small pinch of salt sprinkled upon 

 the heads of growing cabbage is also thought 

 to cause them to grow larger and more solid. 

 It may be repeated at intervals of one or two 

 weeks, each time enlarging the quantity. Care 

 must be exercised, however, not to overdo this 

 work, as too large a dose would result disas- 

 trously. 



