204 APPENDIX. 



Goal ashes ploughed into a stiff soil lighten it considerably, 

 and improve it in other ways. 



The little runs and creeks running through various farm? 

 afford a source of manure, in the mud and decayed vegetable 

 matter which abounds in them. Our farmers neglect this. 



The application of manure to the seed produces the most 

 extraordinary effect. Last year we soaked a gill of Indian 

 corn for a few hours in as much ammonia and water as would 

 cover them. We then planted them in half-light soil without 

 manure — planting the same amount of seed, without the pre- 

 paration, alongside of them. The contrast between the two, 

 in the appearance of the plants was decidedly in favor of the 

 soaked seeds, while the crop was nearly double. We intend 

 to try the experiment, which is of foreign origin, on a larger 

 scale. We do not recommend it as yet. It may be of doubt- 

 ful utility. 



Yard-manures are highly valuable for peat-lands. 



