On Plaister of Paris. 97 



beneficial. I generally strew it on both plant and hill.* 

 I liave put it on the hill only, and have scattered it over 

 the whole field. I have met with success generally, but 

 sometimes disappointment, in all these modes of appli- 

 cation. The one I generally practice is, strewing it on 

 the plant and hill, when the leaves are fairly formed; 

 or, at the latest, when the corn receives its first dressing; 

 which is most commonly done by harrowing over, and 

 uncovering (if necessary) the plants, though the hoe is 

 used when requisite. But the plaister is always strewed 

 after this operation, that it may remain on the surface. 



I have always considered it necessary to keep the plais- 

 ter, as much as possible, on the surface. In some anoma- 

 lous instances, which I consider as exceptions to any ge- 

 neral rule, it has operated when ploughed in ; but for the 

 most part it does best as a top dressing. I had been in- 

 formed of a practice of sowing plaister with seed wheat, 

 and ploughing both in together. This (and every other 

 mode of application of the plaister to winter grain) has 

 had little, if any, success with me; though I have tried 

 it in every way I ever heard of, or could imagine. 



Good crops of winter grain have often succeeded 

 clover, to which no other manure than plaister on the 

 clover, had been applied. I attribute this to no imme- 

 diate action of the plaister on the grain, but to the 

 clover; which always ameliorates the soil. It is an ex- 



=*The spot in which the plant grows is yet often called a 

 hill ; but the practice of hilling- corn has been generally dis- 

 continued, for a great number of years past. 



R. P. * 

 September^ 1810. 



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