Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-09-13
AQri1uIturaI.
ARTIFICIAL MANURE, DETERIORATION
OF THE SOIL.

ARTIFICIAL MANURE, DETERIORATION
OF THE SOIL.
1t is positive fact that, while we send
vessels to the Lobos Islands, thousands of
miles distant, and pay some millions annual
ly for guano, in all our cities and villages we
suffer the best of feltilizing materials to run
into the sewers. Something must be done,
and with alacrity, for economizing American
agriculture. For want of pursuing proper
system of agriculture, the products Of vari-
GUS States have been falling off for the past
ten years. In Massachusetts,, the New Eng
land Farmer has stated that, from 1910 to
1850, the hay crop had deprecated u per
cent, although 100000 acres had been added
to those previously under tilage. The corn
crop during the same period fell short 5000
bushels; there had been falling off 100000
sheep, and 10000 swine. In the State of
New York from 1S45 to 1850, GIL ,692 acres
were added to those previously under cultiva-
ton, and yet there had been most alarming
falling off of all kinds of agricultural pro-
duets. The number of horses had decreased
50,l4l; mich COWS 68,066; sheep no less
than 2990,624 hogs 566,O92 potatoes T.
255, 066 bushels; peas and beans ], 182,054
bushels fax l,956,485 pounds; wheat 27O,-
724 bushels; buckwheat 450,724 bushels
There was an increase in corn, rye, oats,
barley, hay, butter and cheese, but no greater
than the increase of population in that period,
viz, 494, 1923 persons. No wonder potatoes
are so dear; such falling away Of this crop
accounts for it ALL In Kentucky and Tenn
essee there has been great decrease in cattle
in ten years; no less than 1876 of neat
cattle in the former, and 72,086 in the latter
State In Indiana and Wisconsin there has
also been falling off iu the amount of crops
raised, especially wheat, on the rich lands.
IF this rate of depreciation goes on for twen-
ty years more, we will have to import grain
from other countries, instead OF our exporting
to them. as we hitherto have done. The
remedy is a better system of agriculture, es-
pecially more liberal supply of fertilizing
} matters. 1t is very evident that unless soils
have returned to them every year as much
fertilizing matter as that which is taken away
in crops, they must depreciate. There can be
no mistake about this; it is plain to every
man. There may be various ways OF restor-
ing this to the soil, but unless it is restored
l the work of deterioration must 60 on. Those
farmers who suppose they can, year after year
! sell large crops of hay, wheat, oats, barley
: potatoes, and butter. and supply but a scanty
5 amount of manure to their farms, exhibit ,
9 great want Of common sense and forethought
Y The grand idea, however, for the farmer is tt
n get a cheap supply of tertilizing matter, 70
q it is very evident that if his fertilizers wer,
n to cost him as much as the returns which h
&c receives for his surplus products, it would b.
d no object for him to raise crops for SALE Tn
is cheaper the fertilizer, then. the more pro6ta
BILE must be the business of farming, the NOR
a abundant will be the crops, and the peopl
ID will thereby be supplied with cheaper bread
I'd In England we peceive that great attentio
I'd has lately been paid to obtaining the mud O
lie sewers for manure, and were some compan
he organized in this city to keep the sewers clea
ID perhaps million of dollars might be save
g. annually to the farmers within an area c
m. twenty miles from the City Hall. 1t woul
n. also be the means of making our city mo,
In healthy by removing the pestilential efauvi
nt which arises in warm weather from sewer
ne and it would save a vast annual outlay
keeping our docks from being filled up wi,
id, the great quantities of mud which are swel
down into them, especially during heay
nd showers. A patent for making swerage IN,
he nure has been taken out recently in Englar
me by Thomas Wickstead, G. L. 1t consists
mixing swerage water with charcoal dust az
lime, then allowing the matters to settle
large watts, and running off the clear repeate
80 y until the lime add charcoal are perfect
a. saturated, after which it is dried, and put {
at. the land.
IKE Alex. Manning. Of London, has also {
es tanned patent for making Manure fro
eo sewerage water by employing lime and cha
mp coal mixed with the sludge water obtained
'ok making alum. which consists of sulphate
ne alumina. Charcoal and lime appear to
CUB the best substances for deodorizing sewcra
70 water, and absorbing the ammonia and pho
az, "a phate contaided in them. The simple gu,
II tion Of converting sewerage into useful nj
NY nure, for any company, is one of dollars a
ee' cents, aud we cannot decide on this poll
UP Our object is to direct attention to the obtai
lo' ing of cheap fertilizers by any means. a
~ Nv that as soon as possible.--ScientiGc Ame
W can.
her RECIPE FOR TOMATO FIGs.-Pour boili
Pat water over the tomatons (small sizad smon