MANURIAL VALUE OF ASHES, ".MUCKS," ETC. 83 



In some localities seaweed is applied as a too dressing to mow- 

 ing fields, but if applied fresh in the summer season care must 

 be taken not to apply too thickly, as there is danger of killing out 

 the grass, especially on new fields. Some farmers prefer com- 

 posting for this purpose with stable manure in order to fine the 

 material so that it will spread more evenly over the field. It is 

 probable that the addition of acid South Carolina rock to the 

 compost would greatly increase its value and aid in holding the 

 ammonia. If the fermentation is carried very far, land plaster 

 or muck should be spread over the heap to prevent ammonia 

 from escaping. 



Y^alued on the basis of commercial fertilizers, seaweeds are 

 worth about $1.50 to $2.00 per ton, as gathered, for the plant 

 food they contain. The humus resulting from the use of sea- 

 weeds is of additional value to old fields that have been long cul- 

 tivated. In southern New England the round and flat-stemmed 

 rockweeds are highly prized by farmers for raising corn, and they 

 frequently pay 5 cents per bushel for it as it is cut from the rocks. 



Seaweeds have in common with commercial fertilizers the 

 advantage of freedom from weeds, the spores of fungi and the 

 eggs of insects. Practical farmers in Rhode Island say almost 

 unanimously, that potatoes grown on seaweed are smoother and 

 freer from scab than those grown on stable manure. 



