Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-01-08
Rules for the Application OF
Manure.

The following article, from the writings
Of Won Thaer, is copied from the Plow,
the Loom and the Anvil.
We much question whether one farmer
out of hundred ever entered into any
calculation to inform himself about the
w, ight or given measure of manure; yet
how without such calculations, can he tell
whether his cattle are over or under load.
ed, or his land over or under dunged! Is
there any business or this earth conduct.
ed with so little pretence to cxactness, as
that of agriculture! But how can it be
otherwise, when there is for it no pretence
of education, or systematic account of
any thing-when, in fact, the idea is that
any fool may make farmer.
The real value of manure is increased
by the fact that it progressively augmen's
iself, and that, beside the produce it yield
ed, an extra quantity of manure will if
properly bestowed never fail to produce
the clements OF fresh supply, so that it
will soon be possible to cultivate those
plants from which the largest sum Of
money may be realized. On the other
hand, the manure diminishes in like pro-
portion, if scarcity is allowed to be felt,
and an immediate and suitable remedy be
found and applied. One of the conse-
quenccs of Il scarcity or diminution Of
manure is scarcity Of straw, and where
there is little straw or fodder little dung
can be obtained; and thus the quantity of
manure progressively dwindles away un-
til the soil becomes totally exhausted.
However, expensive it may be to be-
stow the first quantity of manure on a
soil which has been impoverished, there
certainly is no capital better employed
than that which is expended in this man.
ncr.
The usual load for wagon drawn by
four horses is thirty-six cubic feet Of sta
bic manure half reduced, and in the state,
that is to say, when the straw has become
soft and disorganized, without being who'll
ly decomposed and the dung is moist, yet
not very watcry cubic foot Of it will
weigh 2G pounds; therefore a load 36
feet contains 20l6 pounds, which for the
sake of obtaining round numbers we will
reduce to 1000 pounds. Where the roads
are good and the weather favorable, this
load may be increased; but as period of
fine weather is seldom used for carrying
manure, this quantity will in general be
found to be tolerably correct.
IF the straw is not decomposed or al
tered, cubic foot, closely packed, will
not weigh more than Is pounds, and in
this case the volume or size of the load
is increased, and contains from 45 to 46
cubic feet of manure.
When eight Of these loads are distribu
ted over an acre of land it is considered
that a good covering has been given.
Each square perch then receives So lbs.
of manure, and each square foot nearly 6
pounds. If only five of these loads be
allowed each acre, as is generally the case,
it is said then that ground has been slight.
ly manured and each square perch receives
about 50 pounds. And lastly, if IL loads
are spread over each acre, which must
never occur where cereal crop are to be
grown, 1--WE of course do not include In.
dian corn,) unless the land has been com.
pletely exhausted, then the ground is said
to have received an abundant manuring.
1t is customary to allow only oue-half
the weight and quantity Of manure above
mentioned when the manure is derived
entirely from sheep because the effects
which it produces are at once greater and
more prompt but less eficaeious in point
of durability.
The periods of these manurings occur
every three, four, six or nine years., The
more frequently applied, the slighter they
are; and the longer the intervals the more
abundant must the manuring be. Thus
it is necessary to take into account not