The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-05-06
Agricultural.

VI
in opinion as to the proper depth of buryng
manure. Some hold that it sinks in the soil
is washed downward by the teaching rains,
and should therefore b. applied near or at the
surface. Others assert that its volatile and
most valuable parts rise by fermcntation ant!
that consequently it should be buried deep.
Now it usually happens when doctors disa-
gree, that both are partly right and partly
wrong: but in the present instance, they are
both Il little in the right and a great deal in
the wrong.
Manure usually stays very nearly where it
is put. If buried near tie surface, it remains
near the surface if buried deep, there it re-
mains if ploughcd under in large Jumps, it
has but little power to rise sink, or in any
other way to intermx itself, and hence the
reason that thorough pulvcrization or harrow
ing before manure is turned under gives r.
suit i'll large crops.
The power which clay has to absorb the
fcrtilizing portions Ct manure is very great
Soils which possess a medium amount of clay
on loan, with medium degree Of tcnacity,
will absorb all that is valuable in ordinary
yard manure, equal to nearly their own bulk
Forty loads of manure to the acre form a
heavy coating: yet this is only one load to
four square rods, constituting depth, when
spread, of only one-third of an inch. Consc-
qucntly, when coating of forty loads to the
acre is ploughed under, the volatile parts have
only to pass one-third of an inch or so before
they are all absorbed by the soil Hence the
error of surprising that they can possibly, in
ordinary SOILS rise or sink to any practicable
depth. And hence, also, the great Importance
OF mixing manurcs very intimately through
all parts of the SOIL if plants are to get their
full benefit. and not to be over fed at one part
Of their roots and starved at another.
There are many proofs of the correctness of
the position here taken. We have made large
piles of compost, consisting of one-third rich
stable manure, and two-thirds of loan and
turf yet all the odor was completely retained
and not the slightest portion passing off could
he perceived by the smell We have buried
large dead animals with coating Of only six
inches of loan; not the faintest indication of
the decomposition below ever reached the
surface. On the other hand, the soil which
forms the bottom Of manure yards, is not
found even within few inches of the surface
to be at all enriched by the piles of fertility
which rested upon it.
The true rule for burying manure is to place
it just at such depth in the soil as the roots of
the crop usually extend. Some of the grasses
for instance, form turf very near the surface
and hence an autumn top-dress will soak in
enough to benefit them essentially. Clover
roots run deeper, and this crops consequent
ly, but little benefited by top-drcssings when
Of much size. except so far as they operate in
keeping the surface moist. The roots of trees
arc still deeper, and they derive but little ad
vantage except from manurcs well spaded Or
worked in. They, however, possess an i'm
portant advantage over annual and perennial
rooted plants; by continuing in growth for
run into the region offcrtility, soon throw out
numerous fibres, and secure an amount OF
nourishmcnt of which annual plants, in con-
sequence of their more limited powers of ex-
tension, are not able to avail themselves.
There are, however, not many crops which
do not need the full depth afforded by ordina.
ry plouS6ing; and hence the best practice fol
nearly all kinds of culture is to spread tho
manure well, harrow it most thoroughly il
order to break it as finely as possible, and al
the same time to mix it intimately with the
surface; then turn it under by ordinary pillow
ing, and the lower half Of the inverted eartl
will furnish thoroughly enriched bed for thu
roots to penetrate. fla greater depth of fer
tility is needed than ordinary ploughing at
fords, the coat of narrowed manure may b'
thrown under ten or twelve inches, 10y mean!
of double mould board or Michig,a plough
and then another coat of manure spread, har
rowed and plough,d under, by a light or gang
plough The young plants of the crop arr
thrown rapidly forward by the upper stratum
of manure, and at a later stage of growth ar
equally stimulated by the lower stratum.
1.-THE lady who was in the habit of stand
Ing on her dignity" came very near tumblin;