On the Nitrate of Soda. 



127 



Letter from Messrs. Drcwitt 4' Son, Piccard's Farm, near Guildford. 



Sir, Placard's Farm, Guildford, Oct. 1, 1840. 



In addition to our communication of the 2nd of March last, we have but 

 little to say on this subject. 



We are in doubt whether you did not misunderstand what we said as 

 to its effect, or rather its non-effect, on our chalk soils for the turnip-crop. 

 The chalk we cultivate is a very dry rubbly chalk, without any admixture 

 of loam, and but little other mould ; and on this soil it had no efiect on 

 turnifs, though for every other crop it was admirable. And what is a 

 curious circumstance, and rather gratifying, where it had no effect on 

 the turnips last season, and where of course they were inferior, its effect 

 on the succeeding crop of barley was very great ; it was superior to any 

 other part of the field. 



Its effect on the growth of corn, on land of every description we cul- 

 tivate, chalk as well as other soils, is quite sufficient to induce us to con- 

 tinue the use of it. \Yhen we sowed it over our crops last spring, the 

 land and the weather were very dry, and until rain fell it had no effect ; 

 but afterwards it showed as usual, and produced an increase in the 

 wheat-crop of nearly one- third. 



It seems a doubtful point with us whether, sown on grass, either 

 upland or meadow, the additional produce of hay is sufficient to repay 

 the expense. 



We are, Sir, 



Your very obedient servants, 



Drewitt & Son. 



David Barclay, Esq. 



Letter from Mr. George Dewdney, of Dorking. 



Sir, Castle Mill, Dorking, Oct. 23, 1840. 



I BEG you will excuse my apparent neglect in not answering your letter 

 of the 28th ult. ; but I have been anxious to give as much information 

 as possible, by obtaining the opinion of most of the practical farmers 

 who have used the nitrate of soda this year, not confining myself to this 

 immediate neighbourhood, but generally throughout the Weald of 

 Surrey and Sussex. 



Nitrate of soda has been used with various success; in most instances 

 amply repaying the farmer, by yielding a much larger proportion of 

 grain and straw ; in others barely paying the cost and expenses attending 

 the use ; and in some a complete failure, I may say positive loss, though 

 I am glad to add the latter instances are rare. 



I propose dividing this subject under difi^'erent heads, and shall begin, 

 first, with its success on wheat and oats, and secondly its failure. 



Upon an average I find the increase of crop to'be about 8 bushels 

 per acre, and from 14 to 17 trusses of straw. On oats the benefit has 

 been universal, particularly where sown on ley-ground, which is common 

 now on our clay-lands, paying the grower from 21s. to 30s. per acre 

 above the cost. 



