146 STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. 



As to salt, the worth of this fertilizer is not generally known in 

 my section of the State. Its use for this purpose is very ancient. 

 In large quantities it is injurious, destroying vegetation. In 

 moderate amounts it is very valuable. The share of ingredients 

 it imparts to the plant is limited, but this is essential. It is com- 

 posed of chlorine and soda, the latter being taken up readily by 

 our crops. It is useful as mixed with compost heaps, assisting in 

 absorbing the volatile matters. It acts powerfully in decomposing 

 organic substances in the soil. It breakes up the ammonia and 

 the potash in the ground and prepares them for the growing plants. 

 It is found to be destructive of the grub and wire-worm. 



It is usually applied as a top-dressing, at the rate of four bushels 

 to an acre to most grain crops. It is particularly useful to wheat, 

 as it makes the stalk stronger and ranker, and the berry bolder, 

 brighter and heavier. It tends to prevent rust, blight and smut. 

 It hastens, undoubtedly, the ripening of the crop by several days ; 

 and this advantage is of great account sometimes in this country. 

 It should be sown on the wheat soon after it is harrowed in. Its 

 efiects in some recorded instances on most of the grains, particu- 

 larly wheat, is marvelous. Most of our grasses are benefited by 

 it. Our root crops, as beets, asparagus, potatoes, turnips, etc., 

 sometimes double their products after the proper use of this fer- 

 tilizer. The great caution to be observed is not to use too great 

 quantities of it. Three bushels of it mixed with five bushels of 

 lime, make an excellent manure for a single acre." 



The good effects of salt as a vianure for the pear. — Mr. Willard, 

 a nurseryman of Rochester, N. Y., testifies that — * " The best 

 preventive he had yet discovered for pear blight, that caused so 

 much damage, was a free use of salt upon the ground, and es- 

 pecially in the vicinity of the trees where the roots could absoi'b it. 

 He had seen eight and even ten pounds applied around a single 

 tree, and it had caused immense yields of fruit. So well was he 

 convinced of the necessity of the use of salt for the benefit of the 

 pear tree, that he had prescribed it for trees that appeared sickly 

 and almost dying, and they had recuperated, and not only become 

 again vigorous, but fruitful to a degree that astonished all who 

 had before known them in their sickly condition. The conclusion 

 he had arrived at was that the pear required a large amount of 

 salt for healthy growth and for productiveness." 



* Transactions Wisconsin Horticultural Society for 1871. 



