474 [Assembly 



I observed once a large pik of tan in my neighborhood, and asked 

 what the owner would take for it ; he said he would be much obliged 

 to me if I would take it away. I did so ; there were about 150 wagon 

 loads of it ; I mixed lime and ashes with it, worked at it, and in three 

 months I had a heap of excellent manure. I found it very good for 

 fruit trees. 



Judge Van Wyck. — There was abundance of carbon, the great agent 

 in vegetable growth, trees, plants, &c., the very articles is derived 

 from them, and charcoal proves both the quantity and the quality, and 

 necessity of it in the vegetable structure. When wood is burned to 

 ashes we then obtain an alkali so important to neutralize acids, and also 

 that indispensible element pot ash. Muck requires considerable time 

 to subdue it to a useful condition for plants. In all farm operations, 

 our farmers will have the cheapest way. 



When bone earth (phosphate of lime) is exhausted in a soil, the 

 defect is immediately known by the failure in the milk and butter and 

 cheese, which are generally sold off the farm from cows feeding 

 there. This matter has been proved by examinations, made by proper 

 chemists ; and when the absent phosphate was added to the soil in the 

 required quantity, it was found that the grass, milk, butter and cheese 

 were restored to their fine qualities, &c. 



This experiment has been fully tried in dairy establishments in the 

 vicinity of London. 



Mr. Bowman. — A well made manure bed will kill all weed seeds ; 

 a matter ©f great consequence to farmers. Why would a man cart 

 weeds upon his landT Kill them in the manure heap as well as in the 

 field. 



Mr. Carter desires the club to take up the subject of providing 

 convenient farms,, where immigrants who are poor, can be furnished 

 with employment until they csm go forth ajid buy themselves farms. 

 Adopted. The Club adjourned. 



