242 Transactions of the American Institute. 



planting was done, he applied a composition of salt, gypsum and 

 ashes, thoroughly mixed together at the rate of one bushel of salt, 

 two bushels of gypsum, and four bushels of leached ashes to two 

 acres. Two rows left without any of this composition were cut up, 

 shocked and husked, as were the two adjoining rows by themselves, 

 and both weighed. The result was thirty-eight per cent gain by the 

 use of the composition, and the increase in fodder was worth enough 

 to more than pay the cost. 



Mr. H. L. Reade— I consider this subject one of the most import- 

 ant that could come up for consideration. Salt is destined to act no 

 inconsiderable part in furnishing, either . directly or indirectly, plant 

 food within the next ten years. I have experimented somewhat with 

 it, and am prepared to say that on light soils, especially if they are 

 both sandy and dry, it is worthy far more in comparison to its cost 

 than any fertilizer I have ever used. How to apply it, mix with 

 what other material, and in what proportions, must be determined by 

 careful testing. Some of these experiments are now being tried, 

 and I hope to be able later in the year to make a report. I would 

 advise farmers everywhere to try salt both on potatoes and corn, and 

 carefully note its effects. They will learn something valuable them- 

 selves, and their knowledge may benefit others. 



Prof. J. A. Whitney — There can be no doubt that on all soils of 

 a sandy character the use of salt will be found of great benefit, applied 

 at the rate of from two to five hundred pounds per acre. It acts 

 mainly as a chemical agent to dissolve silica, which is needed to give 

 stiffness to the straw, and which forms an essential part of the hull of 

 the kernel. It does not, however, show any decided advantage for 

 cereals, such as wheat and rye, unless used with the nitrate of soda, 

 which is now imported and sold at moderate prices in New York. 

 Equal parts of nitrate and salt are found to be much better than the 

 same weight of either alone. Sown as a top-dressing on rank pastures 

 it reduces the quantity of herbage, but improves its quality, making 

 the grass sweeter and more tender, so that cattle graze upon it with 

 more avidity. It is a specific manure for mangel-wurzel ; but while it 

 greatly increases the crop it is thought by many that the nutritive 

 properties of the root are lessened. On the right kinds of soil there 

 is probably no manurial substance that will pay a greater profit on 

 the outlay, but on stiff clays and soggy lands little or no benefit can 

 be expected from its use. A series of original experiments with salt, 

 used by itself and in combination with other manures, would be of 

 great value if their results were accurately observed and recorded and 



