Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-09-09
Swamp Muck.

One Of the mistakes made III the use of
muck, is that of incorporating it with the soil
while yet fresh from the swamp, or with a
too short seasoning. 1t might suffice as a
caution against committing this blunder if we
were to point out the grounds. in reason, sci
ence, and common sense, whichindicate, more
or less plainly, that injurious results are like
y to happen when muck is spread and plough
ed in in a wet and fresh condition. But one
fact may make deeper impression and be
more convincing than a score of demonstra-
lions on speculative or scientific grounds. In
the pages OF the recently issued Patent Office
Report, we find a statement based on some
few facts OK observations as to this matter,
the substance of which we herewith submit,
with the hope that its more extensive dissem-
nation may prevent similar mistakes in
Others and in future. The article from which
we derive the Information in the following
abstract was written by Hon. Simon Brown,
of Concord Mass. He says that in extern
slve low muck swamps the quality of the ma
terlal is often widely different, as may fire.
quently be seen when these swamps are drain
d and long ridges of muck are thrown up
Oh the edges of the ditch If thrown up in
autumn or winter, there will be rank growth
OF weeds or grasses on some portions of this
dge III tho following sun mer, indicating
great fertility in the muck below, while
other portions will be entirely bare, or at
reat but partially covered with stunted fungi
or moss These barren spots are sometimes
covered with whitish-yellow substance, or
with sulphate of iron. Muck Of this latter
description, spread upon pasture or moving
lands, has been known to prevent the growth
of grass Sor many years in succession; and
when ploughed and cultivated, aquatic grass
es and plants spring up in profusion, and can
only be eradicated by Il most careful and ex-
pensive process of cultivation" Gases have
come under his observation in which the
cost of cultivating crop of corn has been
doubled by the introduction of these plants
with this kind of muck, without being sea-
soned or composted. These plants are not f.
nally subdued without much labor, and if al-
lowed to go to seed, will establish colony of
intrulers upon farm which it will be ex'
ceedngy difficult to eject. The caution sug-
gested by such facts is obvious, viz, that far
mers should exercise discrimination as to the
quality Of the muck they use, and that none
should be used until it has been seasoned by
winters freezing and summers drying
and sprouting of seeds, or by being compos-
ted after some seasoning 1t may, indeed, be
laid down as general rule, that to insure
its full beneficial efficiency and safety, muck
should always have been thrown out one OF
two years before being used either as top.
dressing for moving lands, or for admixture
with titled soils, or for absorbing liquid man.
ures, or for composing fertllizing matter Of
any kind Without exposure for such a
length of time, and some working over in
the interim, muck cannot become sufficiently
dry, or sufficiently pulverized, to be 6tfor any
of the above purposes. The moisture with
which it is saturated, being poisonous Or un'
favorable to cultivated crops, should be got
rid of by exposure to rain and sun, and, in
addition, by admixture with lime Or ashes
and then it should be thoroughly dry and fine
ly pulverized. -Country Gentleman.