69 
one growth being regularly succeeded by another. The same 
principle holds true in relation to a single rotation of crops, though 
far less exhausting to the land, which may be kept in good order 
with less manure by a double or triple rotation; and it is desirable 
that this method of cropping should be more extensively practised. 
The manures, used on Long-Island, are fish, ashes, barilla, street 
and yard manure, bone manure, sea-weed and composts rotted 
with lime. 
Fish answer well, but they are not used in the most economical 
manner. From 5,000 to 15,000 per acre are spread over the 
ground, instead of being ploughed in. The soil is generally light, 
and the animal matter passes through it by the filtering action of 
water, so that its fertilizing effects are nearly exhausted by a sin- 
gle crop. 
Ashes arc extensively employed with advantage in cropping for 
wheat, being used at the rate of about 100 bushels per acre, once 
in four years, at a cost of about 15 cents per bushel. The great 
objects in using them, are, to keep the dry arid soils moist, by the 
attraction of the potassa for water, and thus afford moisture and a 
stimulating alkali to the growing plants. The effect of the ashes is 
felt but a short time, as these soils allow the surface waters to per- 
colate through them rapidly, thus removing their fertilizing proper- 
ties, A great error in their use, is, to let them remain in heaps long 
exposed to the weather; an idea prevailing, that ashes are improved 
by this means, and that if they be used in their raw state, they in- 
jure the crops. The fact is, that when used /res//, too many are 
employed^ as they then contain a large proportion of potassa, and 
prove a too powerful stimulant to vegetation ; but when exposed to 
the weather j the potassa deliquiates by its attraction for moisture, 
and is removed by rains, leaving little except the inert earthy mat- 
ter. If the ashes were kept dry, and a smaller quantity used at 
seasons in the year when there was a deficiency of moisture, or 
soon after rains, much greater benefits would be derived. There 
are many manures which arc injurious when used in large quanti- 
ties, but in smaller, are highly beneficial. Salt, nitre, lime and 
other substances in large quantities, destroy Vegetation; in smal- 
ler, are a powerful manure. Some of the green marl of New- Jer- 
sey was some time since shipped to Long-Island for a manure; but 
from ignorance of the proper quantity to be used, so much was 
employed as to be deleterious to the crops; and this failure was 
