Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-05-06

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c. Stone, Of Shrewsbury, in this State.
Those samples were very large and fair
and the fruit promises 10 be one of the
finest late fall apples.
DIsrRIBurIoN or MANuREs. We have
promised 3" line upon line, precept upon
prccept. here a little and there li,tle, /" and
erery~here good deal, upon the all impor-
tdnt subject of manure to the farmers, and
we mean to give il to them, Just as they
should give II to the earth, in no slinted
measure, IN great variety and of good quail
iy The old practice of shallow blowing
aud manuring in the hole" for corn and
potatoes, is still followed by many who call
themselves farmers, aud are opposed to new
notions, experiments and Innovations, as
they are sometimes pleased TO call all at
tempts at improvement in the ancient and
honorable art of agriculture for 1t is an
ART that needs much study, and calls for all
the aids of science, experience and reflcc-
ton. We know that some people can con-
tentedly plod along in the old and beaten
track, pursued by their fathers and grand
fathers, back to the dark ages, and seem
determined. with all the light that sur
rounds them, to remain IN the dark as much
as those who preceded them may have been
a century or two ago. To question the IT,
tilily OF deep aud thorough blowing, and
distribution, instead of concen ration of
manure, IS but to afford abundant proof
that some men at least, are as far behind
this age Of improvement" IN agriculture us
their old bog meadows aud alder swamps
are behind their capabilities Of production
when properly drained. and that there Is as
" much need of Improvement" in the swami
py intellect of one as in the soil of the 9TH
er. Bat we would not Judge rashly nor
deal IN ceusure--a little more hght mny
chase away the darkness, as lille more
manure IS APT To give strength and ylgour
to the plant.
Our principal object, however, in this
article, is 10 combat the old prejudice in IA
vor OF concentrating all the manure under
or near the plant; aud we cannot better ac-
comPlIsh our object than by giving the
views of a sensible writer and scientific
as well as practical farmer in England.
Much pleased oursell with his views, we
hope our farmer readers will agree with us,
and put to practice SO much of these views
as shall appear in unison with their own,
and IN accordance with the laws of nature
and the dictates of common sense. The
principles advocated are as applicable to
Vermont as to any other part of the world,
without regard TO soil or climate. The
writer says
al have never been able to reconcile
with certain well-estabhshed facts in the
growth and nutrition of plants the very
general practice of concentrating man.
ures Immediately under the seeds of our
root crops This practice appears to be
extending for perceive our implement
makers are eyerting their ingenuity TO
contrive implements for dropping the
manure aud that it has been observed
repeatedly, IN print, that drilling the
manure is wasllul as if that deposited
between plant and plant was useless -
| nevertheless adopted the practice, be-
because, as a general rule, | think il the
safer course TO adopt any practice that
has been in favor with the best agricul-
lurists, rather than follow out theoretical
views, howeverapparently well founded
Having, however, recently attended a
lecture by Professor Way, delivered al a
meeting of TIE members of the Royal
Agricultural Society, at which he entered
Oh this subject, incidentally, IN his dis
course on the preparation OF superphos-
phaie of lime and his observations hav-
ing been in exact accordance with the
views | had previously entertained, am
induced TO recommend my brother far
mers who adopt the principle of concen-
tration, 10 reconsider this matter. /
have strong impression the current is
running in the wrong direction, and that
on the contrary, we should be seeking
the means of the most minute division
and extreme distribution.
"The facts to which have referred,
and which, to say the least OF them, de-
mand careful consideration, are that roots
absorb their nourishment only at their
terminal points; that these extend in all !