83

This, though a novel, yet I think is a correct explanation, at
least it more thoroughly explains the well known facts attending
the action of this substance than any other view which I have
seen taken of it.

Common Salt.—The mode of action of this substance is uncer-
tain as yet, but experience has shown that it is a very useful ap-
plication on all soils that have a tendency to produce crops of
wheat liable to be straw-fallen. It gives a clean, strong straw,
increases the weight of the grain, and imparts such vigor to the
crops on which it should be used as to render them much more
free from loss by attacks from insects or by unfavorable weather,
than otherwise they would be. It also acts as a manure by dis-
solving the phosphate of lime which may exist in the soil, and
thus rendering it available to plants. It should be applied in the
latter part of winter or early in the spring, when the wheat crop
first begins its growth after the cold weather.

The quantity to be applied annually is about two bushels, at
intervals of about three weeks.

Artificial Manures.

The artificial manures at present most prominent before the ag-
ricultural community are divided into two classes, viz: mani-
pulated guanos, which assume to be equal parts of Mexican
and Peruvian Guanos intimately mixed, and Biphosphate of
Lime or Superphosphate of Lime, which are Bones or the Phos-
phatic Guanos dissolved in Sulphuric Acid. At present I do not
know at what price the former manure is now sold, but if it is
properly made, out of the best materials, and the vendors of this
manure are from previous education and study, fully competent to
the duties of the selection and manipulation, then heretofore it has
been sold at a price far above its real intrinsic value.

The high price of crops, and an energetic spirit of improve-
ment, have caused a demand for many other manures than those
formerly used, and to meet this demand, manufacturers have in-
troduced into our markets various compounds.

These have been recommended to the use of the farming com-
munity by recommendations from practical men who have used
them, and have been endorsed, without qualification, by some
"scientific men." I cannot too strongly caution farmers to be-
ware of these manures. There have been manures exten-
sively sold in our markets at a price very far above their real
value, which price could not be obtained if farmers were correctly
informed in relation to them. Compounds under names and with
certificates calculated to deceive the public, are now so promi-
nently advertised by means of pamphlets and the commercial and