The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-09-24 00:00:00

A SUBSTITUTE FOR MANURE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Stu,—lf you think the following statement of facts, rela-
tive to a substitute for manure, worthy of a place in your
columns, I shall feel much obliged by its insertion.
Although agriculture in many parts of both England and
Scotland has now reached to a very high state of perfection,
yet this improvement is mostly confined to fertile plains and
the neighbourhood of large towns and seaports, where ma-
nure of all kinds can be had within a convenient distance ;

.....
and the reason why the cultivation of land is not more widely
extended in thinly-peopled districts, is owing to the great
expense that would be incurred in conveying manure to such
places. But the manure to which I wish to call attention,
may be made on the ground. It is ashes produced from the
sod, on or near the place where it is intended to be used. I
have now used it as a manure for the last fifteen years, and
in no case has it ever failed in producing crops equal to those
raised by the manure produced from cattle • and it may be
reduced to ashes for at least one-third of 'the expense of
purchasing a.ny other manure. I first discovered its benefi-
cial effects in the year 1826. I had at that time just com-
menced a lease of affirm near.the Solway Frith, and a consi-
derable part of it
.being uncultivated bog land, after I had tho-
roughly drained it, I allotted it into ridges of 12 feet broad
by taking the plough and cutting two furrows out from be-
tween every such ridge, and collecting them together to the
side of the field. The object I had in view, in cutting these
furrows and collecting them out of the way, was to make an
opening for getting the rough land neatly ploughed. I next
reduced these furrows to ashes, and laid them upon the land
after ploughing, and before sowing the oats. The braird
sprang up rapidly, and turned out a most tiundant crop. I
afterwards tried the raising of tupips with ashes and its
effect upon them was equally astonishing. I have used it as
a manure ever since, and in no case has ever failed in pro-
ducing crops equal to any in the district. The reas.on, I
think, that this manure is not more g.enerally used,
;busi the
difficulty people imagine of reducing it to ashes the
plan I recommend for that purpose may be easily acoir.l-
- during the summer or harvest, when the land is in
its driest state. Take the plough, and turn over a
Having
of
the grass land that is intended for crop next y. H
let it dry a few days, a kiln may be commenced with moss
turf or coal, or whatever is most convenient for the raising
of a fire. After having got a sufficient strength, the grass
furrows may be cut into small pieces, and laid round about
it in the form of a kiln, always repeating the rows as the fire
gets through, and always being careful in keeping the heat
down by laying damp mould upon the top, and the dry turf
round the bottom. When the turf gets inconvenient, the
rows may be discontinued, and loose mould may be laid
upon the top until it gets too high to reach. By this method
two men will produce 40 cubic yards in four days, which is
sufficient for one imperial acre, and that is nearly 65 cubic
yards to the Lancashire acre.
I trust the agriculturists in general, but more particularly
the possessors of rough, uncultivated land, will try this ex-
periment, as I think it will be of considerable advantage to
them. I decline at present publishing my name ; but if any
.gentleman wishes for additional information on the subject,
by addressing to H. 5.., at tke office of your paper, I shall
feel happy in communicating privately on the subject.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Sept. 14th, 1841 AGRICOLA.