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Messrs. Editors: — There is no subject iu Agriculture de- 

 serving of more inquiry, and of greater importance to the 

 farming interests, than the knowledge of the best kind of 

 Fertilizers to be used for top-dressing grass lands. As yet, 

 but little is actually known by which to arrive at any practical 

 results for obtaining the largest crop of grass. 



I have read very carefully the remarks and discussions had 

 at the several meetings in the State House on the subject, and 

 as yet am far from the information desired. Theories and 

 crude speculations will not enlighten me in the case, and it is 

 only actual experiments and comparison of the several kinds 

 of fertilizers in general use, that can afford the valuable in- 

 formation so much wanted by every farmer. When these ex- 

 periments are made, and clearly explained, they will open to 

 us a knowledge of vast importance. For what crop is there of 

 greater value than the hay crop ? With the present implements 

 now used in husbandry, none can be more easily produced, for 

 the means are within the reach of every one, either by owning 

 or hiring the best mowers, tedders, and other machines neces- 

 sary for the purpose. 



The desire of knowing something more definite and prac- 

 tical on this interesting subject, induced me, the last season, to 

 institute, in a small way, a series of experiments, in the hope 

 that I might derive some benefit myself and be useful to others. 

 Accordingly, in April last, I selected a field best adapted to 

 the purpose — very uniforn in the sward, free from shade and 

 other objections — and staked out five several lots, each meas- 

 uring 250 feet long by 45 feet wide, and top-dressed them with 

 the various fertilizers, as follows : — 



No. 1. — 2 cords of manure, well rotted and mixed with 

 1 1-2 horse-carts of soil. ^ 



No. 2. — 120 bushels leached wood ashes. 



No. 3. — 2 cords green cow manure, the droppings of only a 

 few days before. 



No. 4. — 80 bushels unleached or dry Avood ashes. 

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