ILLIKOIS STATE DAIEYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 25 



land with good results; tasted well. Wanted to know the 

 scientific reason for the use of lime on our soils. 



Thos. Bishop thought frozen manure in winter could not 

 be handled to advantage. 



Dr. WooDWAED had used plaster mixed with one-sixth 

 lime; produced best wheat; as to applying with common 

 manure, it drove off a large amount of water, thus burning 

 the whole to death; if lime is used it should be slacked. 



Prof. Hall said it was a fact that lands differed greatly in 

 their elements to produce plant life; as to which of the many 

 fertilizers was best for all soils, it was hard to tell; lime 

 mixed with other manures tends to liberate ammonia, which 

 is good for plants; lime of itself is not good, but as an agent, 

 is useful. 



E. H. Seward thought our soils by cultivation had exhaust- 

 ed the alkali left by the prairie fires of an early day, and 

 that want must be supplied before we can again raise good 

 wheat. 



Prof. Hall promised to make practical experiments on 

 corn, and find out "the one thing needful." 



Mr. Huntley said at Salt Lake, where the soil abounded in 

 alkali, and beans would not grow, all crops were good. 



Dr. S. M. Slade put upon six acres of land 800 bushels of 

 ashes, one half leached and the remainder unleached; could 

 not perceive any difference as to fruit ; had also tried lime from 

 gas works which had been used for purifying; result, seventy- 

 five bushels of corn per acre. Could detect little difference 

 between the various fertilizers. 



C. H. Larkin wanted to know if the alkali had not prevent- 

 ed ruin to soil, etc. 



Dr. Slade could not tell all the results of applying alkali. 



D. C. ScoFiELD had had great experience with ashes; could 

 not arrive at the exact difference between leached and un- 

 leached; was surprised to know that there v^as 400 bushels 

 of old ashes in the town; would advise all to use them; he 

 believed them to be the surest and quickest fei'tilizer used. 



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