ON MANURES. - 155 



an annual application of a much less quantity will always 

 keep the land in a state of the greatest fertility : — 



For wheat and rye, 10 to 20 bushels per acre, put on after 

 the seed has been harrowed in; the earlier the better, but may 

 be done until March. 



For barley, oats, peas, and beans, 5 to 16 bushels per acre. 

 For these crops it has however been found beneficial, in the 

 west of England, to lay it on after the seed has been harrowed 

 in ; but in counties less humid, it would be more advantageous 

 to spread it in January or February. 



For turnips, and most green crops, 5 to 16 bushels per acre, 

 put on about a month before seed-time ; or in January or Feb- 

 ruary, as the salt will then meet the insects in their weakest 

 state. Mr. G. Sinclair, however, says — that, for the destruc- 

 tion of slugs, salt should be used in not less quantities than 10 

 or 15 bushels per acre, applied to the surface of the land. 



For potatoes, 10 to 20 bushels per acre in January or Feb- 

 ruary, if no other manure be used ; but if a light dressing of 

 dung be intended at the time of planting, then half the salt to 

 be spread after the plants have been covered in. 



For hops, 15 to 20 bushels per acre, in November or De- 

 cember. 



For grass-land, 10 to 15 bushels per acre in the autumn, 

 and, if possible, not later than November; but may be put on, 

 without injury, until February. If applied to the extent of 

 40 to .50 bushels, the old turf will be completely destroyed, 

 but has been generally succeeded by a new sward of sweeter 

 herbage. 



In Dacre's 'Testimonies,' it is said, that although the fer- 

 tilizing qualities of salt, when used by itself as a manure, are 

 very great, it yet requires discretion to guard against putting 

 on too much: a few bushels to an acre are sufficient. If any 

 large quantity be put on, it will by its pungency and strength 

 destroy vegetation for a time ; but afterwards, when the salt 

 has been well dissolved in the soil, the land becomes very 

 rich. That when mixed with dung and other manure, it is 

 highly efficacious: but the safest way of using it is, to sprinkle 

 it occasionally over the dung in the cattle-yards, that it may 

 amalgamate with it and ferment. 



The effects, as ascertained by the result of its use upon the 

 Continent, are described by that eminent agriculturist. Von 

 Thaer, to be nearly similar to those we have stated. When 

 applied in large quantities, vegetation seems completely 



