MANURES. 43 



the mixture costs about $30 per ton. Plowed in broad- 

 cast, at the rate of from two to three tons per acre, it is 

 believed to be, for that section, the best and cheapest 

 fertilizer of any kind. 



PLASTER is one of those fertilizers which have a re- 

 markable effect upon some soils, while in other places it 

 has no effect at all. Where the soils are benefited by it, 

 it is of course advisable to use it. Its greatest effect is 

 upon clover, and where clover is used as a means of im- 

 proving land, plaster is indispensable. It is one of the 

 cheapest of all fertilizers and should by all means be used 

 where it is beneficial. 



WOOD ASHES are largely used by farmers as a top- 

 dressing for meadows, spread on at the rate of fifty 

 bushels per acre. The leached ashes that are brought to 

 New York by the boat load, are sold at from fifteen to 

 twenty cents per bushel, and, of late years, some of our 

 gardeners have been using them instead of bone dust or 

 guano as an addition to stable manure, harrowing them 

 in after plowing at the rate of from 150 to 200 bushels 

 per acre ; a lesser quantity (say one half) of unleached 

 ashes would answer the same purpose. 



GREEN MANURING. The practice of growing crops 

 for the purpose of plowing them under to fertilize the 

 soil is often turned to very great advantage. To procure 

 an adequate supply of manure is often a very costly pro- 

 cess. But a crop that may be easily grown in a few 

 weeks, and then turned under, may furnish to the soil 

 as much fertilizing matter as eight or ten tons of ma- 

 nure ; and the process may often be repeated two or three 

 times in one year. For instance, if land is plowed in 

 October and sown to rye, the rye may be turned under 

 in May or June, and corn may be planted. This will be 

 in full growth early in August, when it may also be 

 turned under, furnishing ten or twelve tons more of 



