The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-04-28
Manner Of Applying manure TO the Soil

nlailtlCf VI applying IilliiltrC t0 tHC N0il.
There is much difference of opinion in re-
gard to tho best manner Of applying ma
nurcs.-Somc hold that they should always
be plowcd in, and give as Il reason that ma
nurc never goes down, but if lost at all is by
evaporation. Others go counter to this lac
in all respects, and contend that "surfacc
manuring" is far cfcrable-that the valu-
able principles OF manure cannot be carried
off by the air, but are only in danger of
being lost by ''lcaching." The advocates
ofthc two systems may be regarded as in
situation similar to the two knights who
fought over the white and black shield
both are in part wright, in part wrong. AS
regards the position that manure is never lost
by going downward, every mans obscrva-
ton may have taught him it is an error
Whoever has examined the earth under his
manure heaps, or in his barn-yard, must
found palpablc evidence that the trrtaizing
elements ofman,lrc may penetrate to great
er depth than is commonly reached by the
plow. In one instance within the writer's
observation, the surface ofthc ground where
a barn had stood was carried otto the depth
ofeightccn inches to two feet, and yet for
several years afterwards the spot, Though
in the midst of aiicld,) was plainly discov-
cradle in the increased luxuriance in the
crop it produced. The cases cited may be
said to be extreme ones, but they show that
the theory to which we refer is false.
The idea that nothing can be lost from
manure by cxhalation, does not seem to any
better supported by facts than the opposite
theory previously considered. Carbon and
nitrogn, which constitute the chiefclcmcnts
of manure, arc both capable of assuming an
acritorm state. The nitrogen which exists
in manure for the most part in the form of
ammonia, readily becomes volatile, and cs-
capcs into the air. The escape ofthis sub
stance from manure heaps and fcrncntng
urine, is readily perceived by the strong
smell emitted. The dung dropped on pas
lures by cattle and horses, does comparative
ly but little good. It mostly dries up, and
looscs its value. If all the strength soaked
into the ground. should VIC not sec great
or effect from it? The urine dropped by
animals is Immediately absorbed, and the
effect is sooner Or ]a;cr strikingly seen in
the rankncss of the grass.
The true point to be Observed in the in
the application of rnanurcs, is to place them
where mono of their value shall be wasted,
and at the same time in y situation ' to hn
acted on bv the AGENTS Of d.co1nnns;t;on w
These agents arc chiefly heat. air. and mois.
turc. Heat is required, because in its ab.
scncc substances: arc without chance :. air
Is required because oxygen, a kind Of air
dccomposinr element in nature and mo;s.
turc is rcaaircd because its absont;on hv
objects admits the entrance and action " ot
oxygen. Light, also, (and perhaps clectri.
city,) exercises some AGENCY IN drco,nnosi
ton. The medicines Of the doctor and.
apothccary arc sometimes decompoosse,d si,,l: IL
the influence Of light, evenswhen conta;pea as,a
in yesseis which are perfectly iffnpervious to
the air. It's on acc ouht of this Influence
that wine and ether fermented liquors are are
ssa maRng ay 1iDs rnssa9 no,
sun will shine on it, and by turning the rays