The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-04-14

w reyery land.
From the Germantown Telegraph.
AN OLD FARMERS EXPERIENCE.
Or, Ho,c TO make a poor Farm Rich, ,oithout
much money expended.
THE AccuMULATIoN OF MANURE.
lfwriters on agriculture would devise and
lay down more feasible plans of operation,
there would be rather more chance for their
works to be beneficial to farmers. They
direct us to put on manure by the ton, cord
or load, as the case may be ; to put it on in
the spring, in the summer and the fall to
top-dress, and under-dress, and to always be
ready to put on manure when the ground is
plowed OF to be plowed. Now, all this is
very fine in theory, but practical farmers
know very well that manure does not fall
1 from the clouds like snow or rain nor is it
to be dug out of the earth in quantity and
quality sufficient.
Manure is composed mainly Of vegetable
and animal matter, that can only be pro-
cured in limited quantities. A large majori-
| ty OF farmers have land to work that is
mostly below the middling quality, and have
rent or interest to pay every year, besides
maintaining their families and stock, and
ought to be improving the last at the same
time. If our instructors would put US in a
way to accomplish this, their works would
be much more valuable. The thing has been
done, and can be done again. As 10 buying
manure, except lime and plaster, for the use
Of farmers, generally, except those living
near some town or village, it is out Of the
/ question, as at present prices it will not bear
its weight to be carted more than six or
seven miles.
II can be made on the farm with a small
outlay Of money, but it requires labor and
perseyering attention. When the yard is
cleaned out 10 put on the wheat ground,
/ spread thin coating of straw over it, then
haul in dirt, good mellow dirt, If to be had,
but if not, get the best YOU can, and cover
the yard four or five inches thick. Trim
! August, and cart all the young bushes and
briars into the barnyard, as well as weeds
and other vegetable matter, leaves, &C., that
can be gathered up on the farm.
When the pasture fails in the fall. put the
cattle in the barn ward and there keep them
till the pasture is fit to turn on again in the
spring. II the winter should be a little open,
50 that dirt can be got, give the yard one or
two more coatings; the straw not saved for
litter, refuse Of the fodder and cleanings Of
the stables, should be spread over the yard ;
LET this accumulation lay until the first week
\ in July, when it should be stirred, dirt and
all, and put up in heaps or beds with steep
sides. There should be nothing suffered TO
trample on these heaps. as il would in mea-
sure prevent the iermenting process being
properly carried on. These heaps should lay
till about the middle OF August, when il will
be in better state for the production Of a
crop Of wheat, than ever il was before or will
be again. The dirt thus put into the yard
loses nothing in bulk, nor does it decrease
the quantity or quality Of the other manure
it only takes up the juices that would other
wife soak away and be lost;--it is quite as
J strong as the other, and saving the labor oil
hauling in and out and spreading, it is So
much clear gain. There may be a great
quantity Of good manure made at the hcg
pen, having an outlet or yard attached, and
supplied frequently with vegetable matter
such as green weeds, leaves, good dirt
straw, scrapings Of the alleys in the garden
litter gathered up aboat the lane, &c, all o.
which should be taken out Of the pen aud pu
in heaps, five or six weeks before tits cartet
70 the field.
There are other means by which manure
can be made, but not so fast. Make vat 0l
cistern Of boards, nearly water tight, ant
sink il so that the top will be nearly on ;
level with the surface of the ground, with /;
covering TO keep out the rain, large enougl
2 10 hold abont FIVE cart loads of birthplace,
near the kitchen door. Chip dirt. dropping
from the hen roost, good mellow dirt, ashes
. &C., NAV form the supply. Into this mas
should be emptied all the soapsuds, urine o
: all kinds that can be procured, remnants Q
!. pickle, in fact all OF the waste water from III
/ kitchen, &c. After ldying SIX or eight weeks
il should be taken out and put into heaps
and fresh supply put into the cistern TO b
: treated as before.
When the manure in tee yard is put up ]
heaps TO fcrment, there should be anothc
g yard inclosed, with the soil either plowe
y up, or other mould spread over il, for the cat
tic and sheep TO lie on at nights, till th
barn yard is cleaned out and prepared lC
II them as above directed. This out-yar
= should be loosened up, and melowed wit
the plow and harrow, two or three times. an
when the cattle are taken OF, should B
shoyeled up TO remain till wanted for u.s.
n rs Excellent compost for corn may be obtaine
~ as above.
!" Tn the foregoing have endeavored to n
II. commend plans whereby the greatest qual
"a. tity Of good manure may be made with 4
smallest outlay OF money yet labor will
q required, and 1 think with proper indust
~ and management il may be done witho