MANURES AND MANURING. 2O3 



convenient and expeditious way of converting ferns 

 into a form convenient for manuring. 



The preceding table gives an analysis of the 

 composition of the ash of the bracken, compared 

 with an average analysis of wheat straw. 



It will be observed, in comparing these analyses, 

 that not only does the fern yield a much larger 

 quantity of ash than wheat straw, but that more 

 than one-half of this ash consists of the highly- 

 valuable fertilizing substances phosphoric acid and 

 potash both so essential in a soil on which Coffee 

 trees are growing. 



Cattle manure we look upon as one of 

 the best manures known, even in this day of 

 scientific research. There is no question but that 

 it is bulky, and consequently expensive to use ; on 

 some estates, indeed, it is never collected for this 

 reason. But by placing your cattle-sheds with fore- 

 thought on your roads, centrally, and moderately 

 high up, so that the manure is, if possible, taken 

 down to the Coffee, the fertilizer should be made 

 and spread, we think, at about Rs. 50 per acre, 

 according to facilities of grazing, transport of 

 bedding, carriage, &c., &c. Manuring with cattle- 

 dung, aided by bone-dust or artificial manure, 

 Mr. Sabonadiere believes, could be so managed 

 that, with an average expenditure of 3 (Rs. 30) 

 per acre per annum, " properties of even medium 

 soil might be kept to an average bearing rate of 

 8 to 10 cwts. an acre, which would fully repay the 



