4~0 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



stances of which grain is formed; but in the dry ripe state it has 

 restored these matters to the soil on which it grew. 



I discovered thus that too large an application of manure pro- 

 duces bad effects upon crops. An acre of wheat was divided into 

 four quarters — on one, fifty pounds of guano were spread, and the 



yield was, _ _ 10 bushels. 



Seventy pounds yielded, 12 do 



Ninety pounds yielded,.. 13 do 



One hundred and ten pounds yielded, 8 do 



Unmanured, 6 do 



Another divided acre was manured with soot applied dry, with 

 similar results. 



Fifty lbs. of soot produced on a quarter, 10| bushels. 



Seventy " " 12 1- do 



Ninety " " 13| do 



One hundred and ten, " 7| do 



Unmanured, " 6 do 



In this experiment the soot proved more valuable than guano. 

 Pea and bean haulm decomposed are far more valuable than 

 oat, rye, or wheat straw as a fertiliser, because they contain more 

 nitrogen, and it is generally allowed that the efficacy of manures 

 is in proportion to the quantity of this substance in them. Dried 

 blood contains from ten to thirteen per cent, of nitrogen ; wool 

 and hair from fourteen to sixteen. Therefore the employment of 

 enriching substances abounding in nitrogen produces not only a 

 larger crop, but likewise a grain richer in gluten. 



Rest assured of one fact, that neither guano, soot, superphos- 

 phate of lime, or any other single substance can replace barn yard 

 manure for an indifferent length of time, because all the matters 

 required by rotation of crops are not contained in any one of them 

 except barn yard, which no judicious farmer should ever neglect 

 to save. It shows wretched economy and bad calculation in 

 agriculturists to buy concentrated manures, for the purpose of 

 increasing the productiveness of their lands, when at the same 

 time their farm yards are neglected. 



Dr. Waterbury on the question " The origin of the varieties of 

 plants and animals " was read and received by the club with very 

 marked approbation. 



