The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-06-09
From the (va.) Southern Planter.

Eat MEME IN APPLlCATlON OF MANURES
TO THE SURFACE.
Mr.. Editor Tin the Planter for February
was pleased to find your article on the ap-
pllcation OF manures by " top-dressing," and
as confirmatory of your views as therein ex-
pressed, permit me to submit the results of
my own practice in the premises. Some five
years since, when entering on my career as
farmer, knew nothing of the merits of the
several modes Of applying manure; but just
then l. met with some suggestions of your
own in the Planter, and resolved to adopt
them. And now state in the general that
after five years reading, reflection and ex-
perience, | am satisfied of the correctness of
your views. My practice it this: Whenever
there is manure to be carried out, take it
directly to the field or lot where it will be
needed, and spread it from the wagon or
cart, and care not whether it be in the cold
of winter or the heat Of summer-su shine,
snow or rain. pile manure neither at the
stable, farm pen, nor in the field.
This day (the 9th of ApriD have been
carting manure to the tobacco lot-there to
remain in its present condition, till 60 to
prepare the land for hilling.
Now, to specify some of my experiments
in this regard: In 1855 cut the pines from
an old field which had been given up as ex-
hausted of what little native fertility it had.
During the winter Of '53 and 81, / spread
such manure as | could get on this field,
throwing over the broomsedge, weeds, SC.
At one time the ground was covered with
snow four inches deep, and over the snow
the manure was spread. In the spring Of
81 this field was fallowed for corn. Not
intending to report the results Of the expert
ment, ! was not careful to measure the corn
that grew on the manured ground-any esti-
mate, therefore, must be simply conjectural.
My opinion is, that the yield was about FIVE
barrels per acre-whereas, without the ma
nure, perhapsa single barrel would have been
the outside.
Again: In IS Gu sthe pines from another
piece of exhausted land that was thckly
covered with broomsedge. In August, 1854,
on one OF the hottest days of the season, hav-
ing leisure for my horses, and my stables
needed cleaning out, had the manure car
ried to the aforesaid piece Of ground. and
spread-some of il lodging, ! well remem-
ber, on the pine brush, and some kept IRON
the ground BY the broomsedge. This land
has been cultivated, and with the following
results: In '55 il was followed and put in
corn, bringing fine heavy crop. In sc |
sowed It in peas, preparatory to wheat. The
peas came so rank that Watts cuff and brace
pillow, No. z, could not cover them. In 81
cut fine heavy wheat from the land and--it
now C5sl stands well-set in thrifty looking
clover. On all the growths on the land, you
could distinctly sep where The hny threw tho
last load OF manure.
state further-on part Of this field, and
near where the above manure was put, and
Of precisely the same soil, spread, after fall
lowing and narrowing in stable manure just
from the stable, and on another part, com
post Of stable manure, am decidedly Of the
opinion that on neither Of the last mentioned
spots have the crops Of corn, wheat and peas
been as good as on the first mentioned-nor
I Is the clover as good at present.
| Now, sir, not having seen Prof. N0elckcr's
article TO which you refer, ! do not know
what explanation he attempts Of these and
similar phcnomena--but have no doubt that
science will, ere long il has not already
come square up TO these facts. BY the
way, do YOU recollect the pleasant and in
genious theories oi the late James NJ. Garnctt
on this subject, as well as the facts he brings
/ forward TO illustrate and confirm his theo-
ricss Think his article is ia the second vol
umn Of the Farmers Register. hope you
will publish Prof. voelcker's article in the
/ Planter at your earliest convenience.
Your friend, &C..
R.P. ATKINSON.
brook Dale Dinwiddic