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nure, and then of great efficacy. In llieir applicntion iij)on a rich 

 loam to corn, both in the hill and spread round the hill at the first 

 hoeing, I have seen no beneficial results from them. The experi- 

 ence of J. Buel, Esq., of Albany , he told me, in the use of ashes, co- 

 incides with mine. Leeched ashes, or soap-boilers' waste, which 

 contains always a quantity of lime, I have used with advantage for 

 wheat. These different results may depend upon soil, season, modes 

 of application, or various circumstances, which we have not yet 

 been able to determine. There can be no doubt of their efficacy and 

 utility in some cases. There are many good authorities to this effect. 



The ashes of anthracite coal have been spread upon grass land in 

 Gloucester with obvious advantage. Peat ashes have been used in 

 Newbury on grass ground with much advantage ; but in excess, or 

 when frequently repeated, their effects are stated to be injurious. 



The use of gypsum in the interior of the county, has been suc- 

 cessful ; but not so on the sea-board. In Haverhill, Andover, and 

 Methuen, its effects are marked ; and, in some cases, are as dis- 

 tinctly observable in parts of a field on which it has been used, 

 where the other parts have been omitted in the distribution, as the 

 enclosure is by the fences. The testimony of an experienced and 

 careful farmer in the interior is subjoined. "As to gypsum, I have 

 used it with good success. It is the opinion of many of our farm- 

 ers, that it injures the land. But from actual observation, I have 

 been led to believe otherwise. There are pastures in our vicinity, 

 in which plaster has been used 20 years without ploughing ; and they 

 are now the best pastures in the vicinity. I think, that in some in- 

 stances, our crops have been doubled by the use of it. We usually 

 apply about 2A bushels to the acre." This is a large application ; 

 and it is questionable, whether the benefits are large in proportion to 

 the quantity applied. In Berkshire County, a bushel to an acre is 

 deemed ample. 



Of the ploughing in of green crops for enriching land, I know of 

 but one decisive experiment ; and this made by one of the most in- 

 telligent and best friends of the farming interest in the county. This 

 was made in 1S32-3 ; and honored by the premium of the Essex 

 Agricultural Society. This was a crop of buckwheat ploughed in 

 when in full flower. " The Committee say, on examining the land 



