Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-09-15
farmer's Department.
Spreading Misunderstanding.

operations on the farm requiring at
~tention, is the hauling of manure, and prepare
ton of the ground for wheat Practical farm
erS differ much on these oi is, some recommend
ing but a single plougi in, others ploughlng
trice, some spreading but a small portion of
their manure at a time, and ploughlng it down
as soon as possible to prevent loss by cvapo-
ration, others preferring to spread it early and
allow it to lay exposed to the hot sun. Upon
i~nuuiring of this latter class, and quite a numer-
Gus one too, they have replied to us, as a reason
for their doing so that the manure IS sour
and the sun smeetcns it. We have repeatedly
heard cases cited of experiments tried side by
side, in one case of manure being plonghed
down as soon as possible, and in the other of
letting it be exposed for weeks, to the atmos-
phere, and the wheat on the latter proved far
heavier, other circumstances being the same.
Practical results, are the best tests of the
soundness of any theory. They are what farm
ers most care for, who are right too in reject
ing all scientific explanations, not confirmed by
their own experience, or which is disproved by
their constant practice. Still the saddle should
be put on the right horse. The failure or sue
cess of any operation on the farm, must be
traced to it's true cause. 1t is hardly doing
JuSllCc W JIG IutlCub SNlpOiNi vi VIZ NiNoho
of nature to interrupt his chain of inductive
reasoning, by ~attributing results to causes with
which they have no conneXion whatever, and
then exclaim against book farming.
In the case of an alleged benefit, from
exposure of manure to the surface, the result
is truly attributable not to the manure "being
sveetened," by the hot sun, but to the mulching
or covering of the surface of the ground, and
~. L would how boop ,,rO1uroA opuallv hv dry
straw, hay, shavingS. At least this has always
been our opinion.
BARNARD manure may lose it's most valuable
ammoniacal constituents, by exposure, and
evaporation, but it cannot possibly gam any
thing. The theory if it proves anything,
proves too much. Were it true, instead Of
keeping our manure under sheds, covering with
straw or earth to preserve aud absorb its
valuable juices, we should be continually turn
ing it over so as to expose every portion to
evaporation and thus entirely get rid of the
" sourness." This we all know is opposed to
the practice of every good farmer. Mulching
the sourness of the ground, with a view to
%fertilize it, is pursued in England, as a regular
system, under the title of Gurneyism. In this
country we know but little about it, excepting
rs an application around trees, strawberry beds
a., DuU Ill SotIdISCdDIC iLl uS ulS
is no doubt it would often be found very valu-
able.
Warming in his Elements, says the improve
ment from mulching arises
al. The evaporation of water from the soil
is prevented during drought by the shade
afforded by the mulch and it is therefore kept
in better condition, as to moisture and temper
allure, than when evaporation goes on more
freely. This condition is well calculated to ad-
vance the chemical change necessary to prepare
the matterS-both organic and mineral in the
soil for the use of plants.
2. By preventing evaporation, we partially
protect the soil from losing ammonia resultant
from d~ecaying organic matter.
3. A heavy mulch breaks the force of rains,
and prevents them from compacting the soil,
as would be the result, we're no such precaution
taken.
4. Mulching protects the surface-soil from
freezing as readily as when exposed, and thus
keeps it longer open for the admission of air
and moisture. When unprotected, the soil
early becomes frozen and all water falling,
instead of entering as it should do, passes off
the surface.
5. The throwing out of winter grain is often
ihChGuttt, bhio 10 u " bhN AlNS1ihS
of the surface-soil.
6. Mulching prevents the growth of weeds,
because it removes from them the fostering heat
of the sun.
Many of the best nursery-men keep the soil
about the roots of young trees mulched con-
tinually. One of the chief arguments for this
treatment is, that it prevents the removal of
the moisture from the soil and the consequent
loss of heat. Also that it keeps up a full sup
ply of water for the uses of roots, because it
keeps the soil cool, and causes a deposit OF
dew.
7. 1t also prevents the " baking" of the soil,
or the formation of u crust"
In England they often remove the mulch from
field to field, and consider that it pays well for
the expense.
We have entire faith from our own experience
in mulching the surface of the ground, fol
several of our crops. besides its more custom
airy application, around the trunks of trees but
we have no confidence whatever in exposing
manures to evaporation, or allowing their juices
to drain away, for want of protection and
covering Farm Journal.