116 COMMON SALT AS A MANURE. 



c. During drought, it seems, by its power of attract- 

 ing moisture, to aid materially in sustaining the plant. 

 It is slightly soluble in water, and hence slowly dis- 

 solves, either when buried in the soil or left on the 

 surface. It is best applied in damp weather, as then 

 it can be sown more easily, and will produce an effect 

 more quickly. The quantity applied per acre is usual- 

 ly not large. 



SECTION II. OF COMMON SALT, NITRATES AND SULPHATES. 



Common salt is a manure, the use of which is not 

 only wide spread, but very ancient. In large quanti- 

 ties it is injurious, destroying vegetation rather than 

 increasing its growth. In moderate quantities, how- 

 ever, it has been found on some soils very valuable. 

 Such are most likely to occur in places far distant 

 from the sea. The sea breeze carries small quantities 

 of salt spray far inland, and deposits it upon the soil. 

 All who live in the vicinity of salt water, know that 

 its peculiar smell may often be perceived at a distance 

 of many miles in the interior. For this reason salt is 

 not usually found to be of much value as a manure 

 near the sea. 



A small proportion mixed in with a compost heap 

 is likely to be useful. Another good way is to dis- 

 solve a little in water used for slaking quicklime. 

 The compound thus formed is very energetic in its 

 action upon vegetable substances, and has been found 

 an admirable application to many soils, particularly 

 on those where there is much inert vegetable matter 

 that can only be decomposed with great difficulty 

 Common salt is, according to the popular definition, 

 composed of chlorine and soda. 



There are other combinations of soda, that are be- 

 ginning to be used in this country, and have been 

 greatly approved of in Europe. The most important 



