Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1875 — Salt on Wheat. [ARTICLE]

Salt on Wheat.

Bomb soils are benefited by an application of salt, but we do not believe there is any efficacy in it to keep wheat from freezing out. Thorough drainage is the remedy for that Every one knows, or ought to know, the value of ashes as a fertilizer. Salt furnishes two of tin most important elements of the ashes of plants—sodium and chlorine—and hence it will be valuable to lands deficient in these. Every farmer must determine for himself whether his land needs salt or any other substance. Sow salt on alternate strips of ,your wheat, marking where you sowed and where you did not, and then observe the difference in the crop next year. Where the constituents of salt are wanting wheat will almost always lodge, even though the crop of

straw be light. If you have been troubled with this salt will be useful, though we should prefer to mix it with the manure. Prof. Mapes’ famous recipe is: ** One bushel salt, three bushels of mart; let it lie under cover four months, and then mix it with one cord of muck.” This Is no doubt a valuable mixture for sandy land. Where salt is sown broadcast do it after the wheat is sown, giving from one to five bushels per acre. Mr. Geddes, of New York, in an essay on salt as manure, comes to these conclusions: “Some soils have enough of salt, and more added does an injury. Lands away from the sea-coast are greatly benefited by light applications, hut heavy quantities are injurious even there.” —Ohio Farmer.