You will notice that 336 lbs. of common salt was sown on plot 16_a_. It does not seem to have done the slightest good. Where the salt was used, there is 2 lbs. less grain and 98 lbs. less straw than on the adjoining plot 16_b_, where no salt was used, but otherwise manured alike. It would seem, however, that the quality of the grain was slightly improved by the salt. The salt was sown in March as a top-dressing. “It would have been better,” said the Deacon. “to have sown it in autumn with the other manures.” “The Deacon is right,” said I, “but it so happens that the next year and the year after, the salt _was_ applied at the same time as the other manures. It gave an increase of 94 lbs. of grain and 61 lbs. of straw in 1851, but the following year the same quantity of salt used on the same plot did more harm than good.” Before we leave the results of this year, it should be observed that on 8_a_, 5,000 lbs. of cut straw and chaff were used per acre. I do not recollect seeing anything in regard to it. And yet the result was very remarkable--so much so indeed, that it is a matter of regret that the experiment was not repeated. This 5,000 lbs. of straw and chaff gave an increase of more than 10 bushels per acre over the continuously unmanured plot. “Good,” said the Deacon, “I have always told you that you under-estimated the value of straw, especially in regard to its _mechanical_ action.” I did not reply to this remark of the good Deacon. I have never doubted the good effects of anything that lightens up a clay soil and renders it warmer and more porous. I suppose the great benefit derived from this application of straw must be attributed to its ameliorating action on the soil. The 5,000 lbs. of straw and chaff produced a crop within nearly 3 bushels per acre of the plot manured every year with 14 tons of barn-yard manure. “I am surprised,” said the Doctor, “that salt did no good. I have seen many instances in which it has had a wonderful effect on wheat.” “Yes,” said I, “and our experienced friend, John Johnston, is very decidedly of the opinion that its use is highly profitable. He sows a barrel of salt per acre broadcast on the land at the time he sows his wheat, and I have myself seen it produce a decided improvement in the crop.” We have now given the results of the first _eight_ years of the experiments. From this time forward, the _same manures_ were used year after year on the same plot. The results are given in the accompanying tables for the following twelve years--harvests for 1852-53-54-55-56-57-58-59-60-61-62 and 1863. Such another set of experiments are not to be found in the world, and they deserve and will receive the careful study of every intelligent American farmer.