282 Use of Nitre as a Top-dressing for Growing Crops. 



11 cwt. per acre. From these results, valuing the wheat at 8.?.^ 

 and the oats at 3s., per bushel^ it is very evident that, in every 

 instance, I have received a very ample return for my capital em- 

 ployed ; the variance in the produce of the wheats I attribute to 

 the nature of the soil, taken in conjunction with the cold wet 

 summer w^e experienced in 1839 : this, in a great measure, is the 

 ground upon which I assume it is more calculated for light than 

 strong soils. I have the opinion of a very eminent professor of 

 chemistry, that he believes the American is better calculated for 

 agricultural purposes than the East India nitre. Not yet having 

 experimentally ascertained their relative effects, it is impossible 

 to say to which I give the preference ; but I have been informed by 

 one gentleman who took that trouble, that he found the difference 

 very trifling. I should much have preferred it if some person of 

 more influence and greater experience than myself would have 

 furnished you with information upon this subject; nothing but a 

 sincere and anxious wish to contribute my humble efforts to in- 

 crease the produce of our native soil, upon which so much de- 

 pends the future prosperity of every landlord and tenant, could 

 have induced me to offer these observations to the Agricultural 

 Society. Of this you may be assured, that herein I have stated 

 nothing but what I personally know to be strictly true : if I had, 

 in any one instance, by false representation, practised a deception 

 upon my brother farmers, instead of the friend I profess to be to 

 agriculture, I should be its greatest enemy. In conclusion, I 

 would say to every one engaged as I am, be cautious in your first 

 trials, more particularly to those who farm upon clays. But, to 

 convince you that I entertain a very high opinion of its efficacy 

 and remuneration upon light lands, I have this week purchased 

 5 tons, which I intend sowing upon my crops in the spring of 

 1840. 



I am. Sir, 



Yours respectfully, 



James Everitt. 



North Creake, near Fakenliam^ Norfolk, 

 November 23, 1839. 



