278 



On the Use of Saltpetre as Manure. 



require manure^ probably always shall use it, but not by itself. 

 I consider saltpetre to be a necessary constituent and valuable 

 component part of all manures. I can safely recommend its use 

 alone as a top-dressing on all crops^ (except Avlieat^ which I have 

 not tried,)* clover and all trefoils particularly, and, as far as my 

 experience goes, as to the best method and time of application, 

 I think it should be finely pulverised and sown with care and 

 regularity on corn or grass, at the rate of 1 cwt. to 1 J cwt. per 

 acre, just when the crops begin to feel the influence of spring, 

 and vegetation is making its first efforts. Its effects then, parti- 

 cularly if the weather is favourable, are as sudden as they are 

 gratifying, and the rapid change in the colour and growth of the 

 crop gives ample and satisfactory proof of its almost miraculous 

 powers. 



George Kimberley. 



Trotsworthy Surrey, Nov. ISth, 1839. 



XXIX. — Experience in the Use of Saltpetre and Nitrate of Soda 

 as Manures. — By the Right Hon. Lord Dacre. — Communi- 

 cated by his Grace the Duke of Richmond, K.G., Presi- 

 dent. 



To the Secretary of the English Agricultural Society, 

 Sir, 



In reply to yours, I have the honour to state, that many years 

 ago (I should think about twenty) I used saltpetre as a manure, 

 for two or three consecutive years. By myself it was applied 

 solely to grass-land. The land is not favourable to pasture : it 

 has been an old park, and thp grasses not of the best quality. 

 The effect was decidedly good : the produce, considering the 

 nature of the soil, abundant ; but I, at that time, thought that it 

 produced a heavy crop, at the expense of the finer herbage ; and, 

 under that impression, combined with its rise of price, I aban- 

 doned the use of it. I have since resumed it, and I remain now 

 of opinion that saltpetre does not, in effect, injure the finer her- 

 bage further than by checking its growth for the time by the 

 weight of the stronger grasses. 



I last year made the experiment of the effect of the nitrate of 

 soda, by applying an equal money-cost of it between distinct and 



* When tried as a top-dressing on wheat, it has been found to increase 

 the bulk of straw ; but in raany cases to occasion mildew. See various 

 experiments on the use of Nitre and Salt, recorded in ' Dacre's Testimo- 

 nies and in vol. i., ch. 18, of 'British Husbandry.' — F. Burke. 



