126 



On the Nitrate of Soda, 



on the 13th of May, 1840. The best grass this year was on the two 

 ridges sown with nitrate of soda twice, that is in August and again in 

 May, the second-'J^est that part which was sown in May, and the worst 

 was that part which was sown in August, 1839. This shows that 

 nitrate of soda has a little effect the second year, but not much. 



The Earl of Zetland's farming-man at Marske Farm, in returning 

 home from sowing nitrate of soda on wheat, grass, &c., found in one of 

 the sacks a small quantity left, and, being desir£)us not to waste it, took 

 the trouble of going into a poor man's cottage-ground, where was grow- 

 ing a small ridge of wheat. This small quantity of nitrate of soda was 

 sown on one end of the ridge. In a few days, to the great astonishment 

 of the poor man, he saw so great a change, both in colour and size, that 

 he called together his neighbours to see if they could find out the cause ; 

 but as neither he nor his neighbours could make it out, they returned 

 home satisfied to wait till the secret was revealed. 



A respectable farmer in the neighbourhood of Marske, who had used 

 a little nitrate of soda last summer, gives his opinion that he had not 

 reaped or seen the benefit reported. On making inquiry it appeared 

 that only 1 cwt. per acre had been applied : this agrees with ray opinion, 

 that not less than Ij cwt. should be sown, and I am rather inclined to 

 say more. 



Nitrate of soda may be sown on pasture to a good effect, particularly on 

 pasture that does not eat off regularly ; but the farmer will not see the 

 good effect without minute observation, as the cattle eat the grass as it 

 grows. 



Two fields belonging to the Earl of Zetland, at Upleatham, were sown 

 with clover in 1839; in 1840 one of the said fields was sown with nitrate 

 of soda, and had a good effect. After the clover was cut, in the course 

 of a week, the nitrate evidently showed itself in the fog or after-grass. 

 During the months of August and September the two fields of clover-fog 

 were depastured with cattle and sheep. The field sown with nitrate of 

 soda was eaten by the cattle and sheep regularly away. The field not 

 sown with nitrate of soda was left by the cattle in tufts or hots not eaten 

 regularly off. This evidently shows that nitrate of soda has the effect 

 of sweetening the grass. 



John Alderson. 



Letter from Waiter Calvert, Esq. 

 My dear Sir, 



Expecting a late and uncertain harvest, I lost no time in getting up 

 the corn whenever it was in proper condition, and did not make any mea- 

 surements. As far as appearances went, they justified the good opinion 

 J had formed of the nitrate of soda. From 1 cwt. to 1 J cwt. per acre is 

 about the quantity, in the spring, when the corn begins to be alive from 

 the effects of the winter. I think, also, it pays for putting upon grass. 

 It has very little effect the second year ; but we have put it on two years 

 running, and it showed itself as much the second year as the first. 



I remain, yours sincerely, 



Walter Calvert. 



Oakley Court, Sept. 29. 



