MANURIAL REQUIREMENTS OF DUNKIRK CLAY. 
Pitty years ago in Livingston county Dunkirk clay 
Was an important wheat soil. At that time cereals were 
the principal crop of this county, and under tne systems 
of management many soils deteriorated. Hspecially was this 
true of Dunkirk clay. Most of the other types have 
partially or wholly recovered, but the Dunkirk clay on™ 
account olf its p»peculiar nature is not so susceptible to 
ameliorating influences, and to-day is not utilized in the 
best manner, 
By continued cropping in cereals this soil gradually 
lost a large part of its numus, and is now in a rather 
soor state of cultivation. The Loss of humus has tended 
to make this soil more compact, and to make its drainage 
poor. This loss is due in part at least to the original 
condition or the soil. Humus was never plenty if the 
condition of the soil in the woods to-day indicates anything. 
The predominatins timber was pine among which were a few 
deciduous trees, and under which a small herbage crew. 
On this account this soii was easilv reduced in its nitrogen 
and humus content, when, as was the case, no attempts were 
made to put anything oack on the soil, but every endeavor 
was to get as much out of it as possible. 
On account of its various veculilar properties this 
