Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-03-24

The PLow, THE LooM, AND THE Anvil
The February number of this work is
upon orr table, foil, as usual Of original and
selected maiter, relating to rural pursuits.
1t is rich, in original articles, especially in
the following by South Carolina Free
man, on
COMPOST MANURE Much may be
effected in retaining worn-ont cotton
lands by good system of compost man
uring, tie benefits of which have been
forced upon our agucullurisis by the
gradual accumulation of animal man
ures, and the decomposition Of wasted
vegetable matter, in and around their
barn-yards. 1t is system which should
be so generally understood and praclls-
ed, that little need be said except respec-
ting the increase of this manure and us
application. 1t is mistaken idea that
the planter gains by hauling into his
barn yard the stalks from his corn and
cotton fields, in order 10 convert them
into compost manure. Their elements
would be returned to the soil by the Ger
tain law of vegetable decomposition. if
suffered TO remain on the fields; and
their place in the compost heap can be
supplied easily by litter and leaves from
The forests, grasses, weeds, and muck
from tie marshes, bitches, and fence
rows on the farm. Weeds Astounding in
the alkalies furnish profitable vegetable
matter for composing. In addition to
these, we have the rotton wood and for
est leaves every where so Abundant
Muck or peat, being decayed vegetable
matter IN mass, IN this concentrated form
contains large amount OF phosphate.
and alkallne and, when mingled will
droppings of animals, forms compos
highly re:entive OF substances thus i'm
parted, which it yields most readily I,
the growing crops TO which it is applied
Compost, when applied in winter, doe
not require to be thoroughly dccom
posed but when, as in the case Of crop
where il is applied IN The spring, and il
elements are demanded Immediately b
the young plants, lis decompositIo
should be perfect. The compost hea
should be protected from the rains, i
order 10 prevent those salts rendcre
soluble 10y moisture from being washe
away. 1t would add much 10 the yau
OF compost manure if the watci colec
ting on the roofs of farm buildings wa
carried IN cutters entirely beyond III
yard, and not allowed To flow through
which would be greatly facilitated by
concentration of farm buildings. Ever
domestic animal, llproperly confined an
quarlered, when not IN use or grazln.
would amply repay the trouble OF attenc
ing 10 them; and the filth from III
wash-house, stercorary, pig pen her
house, and plgeon-cote, so much nealec
ed, would, # properly boarded, iurnl.
most valuable ingredients to the heap.
concentration of all that is essential TO Il
Production of our cultivated plants ben
found IN the component parts OF this fe
illizer, dervable from the cereal food co
sumed by animals, and the phospha
and alkaline properties of the weed
grasses, DC, makes IT at once the be
and cheapest form, at the command
our planters, of applying vegetable al
animal manures for the immediate pr
ducllon Of crop. The quantity mig
he increased on every plantation in Il
State 10 degree which would max i
manufacture profitable. This, howeve
will never be done until feioer acres a
planted, which will enable more land
be manured.