80 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. [March, 



carbonic acid which exists in rain water ; but, as to its chemi- 

 cal operations, in the form either of a carbonate, sulphate or 

 phosphate, science has not yet reached any satisfactory conclu- 

 sion. She has knocked at the door, but has gained no admis- 

 sion ; nor even been permitted to look through the key-hole. 

 This, however, should not discourage her importunity. 



Ashes. — With respect to wood ashes, there remains no doubt 

 of their extraordinary efficacy in promoting the growth of wheat 

 crops. Whatever theory may be adopted, the effects are almost 

 certain. These ashes were themselves the constituent parts 

 of plants, and reduced to a state of extreme fineness by incine- 

 ration. They may well, therefore, serve to be taken up by 

 other plants, or may be expected to furnish some of the ele- 

 ments which the plants require. They likewise attract mois- 

 ture from the air, and mixing with vegetable acids, it is rea- 

 sonable to believe, that combining with other substances in the 

 soil, they may prepare them likewise to become the food of 

 plants. 



The theory of their operation is of little importance com- 

 pared with the facts of their efficiency. The ashes of sea- 

 weeds, what is called in Europe kelp, and in the shops the 

 carbonate of soda, have proved of great efficiency. I am not 

 aware that it has been used here, to any great extent ; but the 

 accounts given of its use abroad commend it most strongly. 

 One of the best writers known, on the subject of the wheat 

 culture, says, " that two or three pounds worth of it (he means 

 pounds sterling) per acre, spread about two months before sow- 

 ing time, would always more than repay itself. It attracts 

 moisture from the atmosphere ; it materially increases the vol- 

 ume of the grain, and the fineness of the sample ; but does not 

 add to the weight of the straw, though rendering it whiter and 

 more novu'ishing to cattle. It causes the wheat to assume a 

 rich, healthy appearance, and is an excellent application after 

 a crop of potatoes or parsnips, both of which require land to be 

 richly dressed with stable or other strong manures, and has not 

 the eff"ect of decomposing them, (might he not say of consum- 

 ing them ?) as lime docs." 



