254 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Again, the choice food of the mole must have nearly been cleared out 

 since the marks of the mole are rarely seen. 



Again, in the fall of 1857, a part of this ground was trenched two feet 

 deep, reversing the soil, and well manured in the spring of 1858. On this 

 portion, and extending a short distance over the adjoining ground, long 

 black beetles made their appearance in great numbers for a short time, 

 eating the leaves of the potatoes. They were not found far from this part 

 of the garden. But the potatoes (Mercers) were not saved by the salt, as 

 they rotted badly. 



While on the subject of salt, I will mention that the muskmelons raised 

 on this ground were not enly abundant and large, but in flavor at least 

 equal to the best that I have tasted. Imagining that I could detect a slight 

 flavor of salt, I tested some of the filtered juice with nitrate of silver and 

 ammonia, and found an appreciable amount of chlorine. I hence infer that 

 salt applied to the ground improves the flavor of the muskmelon. 



Again, last summer I saw a strawberry patch that appeared in excellent 

 condition. I was informed that it was ten years old, very prolific, and 

 superior in flavor. Its excellence was attributed to salt, of which it re- 

 ceives an annual dressing in the fall. 



GAS LIME ON CULTIVATED LAND. 



In the use of salt, I have stated that the potatoes rotted badly. I do 

 not attribute this to the salt, for the case was the same with those that 

 used no salt. 



The cause of the potato rot being unknown, may it not be analagous to 

 the Oidium on the grape ? and may not the same means eff"ect a cure ? 

 If so, the cheapest form of sulphur is in gas lime, and this may answer the 

 purpose. I have tried the experiment, at the rate of 30, 50, and 75 bush- 

 els to the acre, in diagonal strips of about forty feet wide, over the garden 

 and potatoes, leaving intermediate strips undressed, and I cannot see the 

 least difference either last year when it was applied, or this year. 



Last year there was scarcely a rotten potato to be seen, either with or 

 without the gas lime. This year, on the same ground, with seed from last 

 year's crop, there are many rotten, both with and without the gas lime. 

 Still the question may be raised whether the partial application last year 

 may not have protected the whole from the strong scent of sulphureted 

 hydrogen, driving away insects, if that be the cause, as some suppose. If 

 so it would require an annual application in smaller quantities. 



From this experiment, we learn at least that gas lime may be used on 

 plowed ground and harrowed under, at the rate of seventy-five bushels to 

 the acre without injuring vegetation. This, I feared, might not be the 

 case, but determined to try. It may have been inert in my case, because 

 the land may already contain sufficient lime and sulphuric acid. 



The gas lime experiment was carried farther than above related, over 

 young grass sowed the previous year. It was applied at the rate of fifty 

 bushels to the acre, on the 26th of April. The color immediately began 

 to change. On the 80th, there was a yellow streak (showing the line of 



