PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 381 



two ingredients wanted ; but the compost heap furnishes all the 

 requisites for vegetation. 



Mr. Robinson read a letter from Charles Sears, of Riceville, 

 N. J., in relation to the marls of that State. Although the marls 

 when excavated are very little soluble, atmospheric agencies act 

 upon them, and they become soluble. The potash cannot be 

 leached out from them, because it is in combination with silica, 

 and no economical means have yet been devised for separating 

 them. A result of the slow solubility of the marl is that uncon- 

 sumed portions remain in the soil for future use. The vital 

 power of the plant-root coming in contact with it effects its 

 decomposition. Where it can be applied at a moderate cost, no 

 better means can be used for improving the land than the judi- 

 cious use of the green-sand marl. 



Mr. R. proceeded to say that having been told that cattle 

 would starve to death upon white turnips, he had tried the ex- 

 periment upon two cows, giving them scarcely anything but the 

 red strap white turnips, and instead of being in a starving con- 

 dition, the butcher is negotiating for one of them. 



Mr. Carpenter stated that the turnip crop alone in England the 

 last year was worth $1,500,000,000. For pasturing a cow an 

 acre of land is required ; whereas, by soiling, three or four cows 

 can be kept upon the acre, upon timothy ; and corn soiling he 

 considered still better. And although the pasture land is kept 

 in better condition, yet the advantage far counterbalances this, 

 so that as land rises in value we shall be compelled to adopt the 

 soiling system. We can do without hay, using rootcrops and 

 cornstalks. 



Dr. Waterbury quoted the saying of Daniel Webster, that 

 " the way to improve land is to raise turnips." When so many 

 cattle are kept, the soil can be easily kept good by top dressing. 

 In pasturing, much fodder is trodden down and wasted, and in 

 July, August and September, the pasture is too dry. In the soil- 

 ing process, the pasture is always green. 



Dr. Trimble was opposed to soiling. There is no danger of 

 manure becoming scarce while we have the marls of New Jersey. 



Mr. Lawton thought that the continued use of marls alone 

 would ruin the soil. 



Mr. Fuller was in favor of putting manure into the soil, under 

 the soil, and not upon the top. For orchards and vineyards, he 



