PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 321 



use of it, very efficacious in increasing the fertility of their soils 



by the elements it converts into vegetable food, has become a 



favorite. 



Eel grass is found in great quantities on the sea shore, but 



contains a large percentage of water, and is therefore little used 



comparatively speaking for manurial purposes. 



Sea coral is sometimes cast upon the shore entangled with sea 



weeds, which much enhances their value, being composed of 



Carbonate of lime 80 



Animal matter _ 19 



Phosphate of lime 1 



Total 100 



All these matters are used to the greatest advantage imme- 

 diately after being taken from the sea shore, in the freshest state 

 possible, while perfectly saturated with salt water ; if that is 

 permitted to drain from them, decomposition at once takes place, 

 and their value is considerably diminished. In the wet, green 

 state it will produce the same effects upon the soil that are de- 

 rived from the use of marl and lime. It will not only add to the 

 fertility of land already rich, but likewise much improve the 

 poorest quality of soil. I once saw crops of rye, clover, turnips, 

 potatoes and wheat, of incredible luxuriance, growing upon the 

 English sea coast, by the use of this manure alone, on land too 

 poor to raise white beans before receiving it. The farmers 

 informed me that they used about one bushel to the rod, and 

 that the ears of their grain were perfectly filled, and further, 

 that it never fell. Its fat, unctuous substance ameliorates the 

 soil, softens the sod by imbibing itself into it, and keeps the root 

 and spongioles moist during the most terrific heats of summer. 

 When manufactured into kelp, it requires twenty-five tons of sea 

 weed to make one ton, which will then contain alkali, bromide of 

 potassium, iodide of potassium, and sulphuret of potassium, all of 

 which exert a wonderful influence on the growth of vegetables ; 

 but far less near the sea shore than they would on inland situa- 

 tions, because the saline matters they contain are carried with 

 the spray of the ocean to great distances. When gales of wind 

 blow strong over high and broken waves, sometimes it may be 

 seen moving towards the interior in the form of a perfectly dis- 

 tinct mist, driving rapidly with the wind, and will traverse 



[Am. Inst.] U 



