640 Transactions of the American Institute, 



the rate of 1,000 loads an acre, and report to this clnb as to tlie bene- 

 fits derived. 



Mr. P. T. Quinn. — He does not state whether it is bituminous or 

 anthracite coal. If it is hard coal ashes there is not very much 

 fertilizing material in them. I tliink that Mr. Todd states too^nucli 

 in giving a thousand loads to the acre ; a much less quantity would 

 produce the same result. I use it on heavy clay sod at the rate of 

 thirty-two loads to the acre. If I were he, I would plow in tlie fall, 

 and, before he plants in the s})ring, ])low twice. This would lighten 

 the soil more than the coal ashes. The compost that he speaks of I 

 would mix with earth before applying to the soil. It would do as well 

 without the coal, however, and thus save him the trouble of drawing 

 them. 



Mr. D. B. Bruen. — I used tlie compost for corn, and it is very useful. 



Mr. S. Edwards Todd. — The quantity that I have mentioned looks 

 wonderfully large, but when we come to divide it up into the yards 

 and perches of an acre v,'e find that it is nothing more than would be 

 a heavy sprinkling of salt upon our meat. 



Mr. Brainell. — It would cost more than three crops would pay 

 for. 



Mr. .D, B. Bruen. — Coal ashes upon the gr-ound Avill certainly open 

 it and give it air ; that is wliat the ground needs. 



Mr. A. S. Fuller. — How do they know that there is any food for 

 plants in them ? Cliemistry knows nothing about it. 



Mr. Wm. S, Cai-penter. — The amount of fertilizing material that 

 is in coal ashes is due to the ashes of the kindling wood. But I think 

 it aids the soil, by reason of its acting mechanically ; but as a fertilizer 

 it is not worth a straw. There is no evidence that there is any fertiliz- 

 ing property in the sands of the sea, yet plants may be grown largely 

 in it. 



Mr. A. S. Fuller. — I do not say that there is any fertilizing material 

 in coal ashes, but I say that the effects are evident fi'om their use. 

 My neighbors say when they are applying lime that tliey are putting 

 on manure. I tell tlicm that tliey are not doing anything of the kind. 

 Now, there is something in it ; what is it? 



Mr. E. Williams, Mt. Clair, N. J., said that he has seen aslies tried 

 in a garden, and never was there a more luxuriant growth. 



Mr. P. T. Quinn. — We know tliat tliere are certain materials in 

 guano; the chemists inform us of the constituents. 



Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger. — There is as much difference between 

 coal and wood ashes as between night and day. 



