54) On Plaister of Paris, 



A7isw€r. I have generally found a good effect from 

 it on grass ground, by applying it every third or fourth 

 year without ploughing, and on Indian corn with 

 ploughing. 



Query 6. Do you find that it renders the earth sterile 

 after its useful eiftcts are gone ? 



Answer. Not in the least decree that I could ever 

 perceive.^ 



Query 7. To what products can it be best applied ? — 

 grain and what kinds ? — grasses and what kinds ? 



Answer, Its effect is immediate upon grass of all 

 kinds, and upon Indian corn ; and upon all other kinds 

 of grain the year following, when it is well mixed with 

 the soil by ploughing, &c. 



Query 8. When is the best time to scatter it ? 



Answer, As clover is generally put in with barley or 

 oats, I think the best time to apply the plaister is as soon 

 as the barley or oat is taken off, as it gives a good growth 

 to the clover before the winter sets in, Avhich is apt to 

 injure it when small. It may be put upon a sward at 

 any time, and upon Indian corn as soon as it is up, and 



* Mr, Duffield's son, and successor on the farm, does not 

 continue oi his opinion. There must be some peculiarity, or 

 shift of circumstances, of a local nature. All my inquiries, else- 

 where, result in the elder Mr. Duffield's opinion. Perhaps, 

 Vik^ lime ^ plaister maybe used too long. I never found it so. 

 But dung, or other animal or vegetable substances, must be 

 applied with the gypsum, as often as its operation is required: 

 more especially after frequent repetitions. 



R. P. 



September 1810. 



