Dollar Weekly Mirror And New Hampshire Journal Of Agriculture

Salt for the Garden. Lately some practical men have recommended the application of salt to gardens, either in Autumn after the crops have been removed, or in the Spring before or after digging for crops; and we have no doubt from our own limited experience in its use, that it will effect all that is claimed for it. For years it has been established that salt hay from the marshes overflowed by sea water, was far to be preferred as a mulch to any other substance. The application of urine, also, to fruit trees, especially the plum, where it has been most generally used, is well known to have a very beneficial effect. The fruit growers of New England and New York, claim for salt many advantages by sowing it under pear trees. They say it gives the blush to this fruit. It will have the same effect in a garden, also, of destroying noxious insects which have their Winter habitations in the ground. From six to eight bushels to the acre can be applied with safety. Any coarse, refuse salt will do. It should not be burned—the rains will dissolve it and carry it down. Farmers frequently have salt from their meat tubs and mackerel barrels, which could be used in this way, after being thoroughly drained and dried, and applied at the rate of about four bushels to the acre.

Salt is not a lasting application. Its direct influence rarely extends beyond a year, though its good effects may continue for many years.—Germantown Telegraph.