M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1859-01-20
agricultural.
" hen and How TO Apply Manure.

when and How 20 Apply Manure,
If we consult naturc-taking hel
processes as our 9uide-we shall see
her vegetable fertilizers applied in the
tall--and there can be no better evil
dence that this is a most favorable
time for manuring the soil. Circum-
stances, it is true, may render it ad-
visable to vary from this time, and it
is one of the objects of the farmers
study to be able to modify natural
laws, and to choose, in some cases,
convenience as his guide. The more
perfectly, however, he understands
nature. the better he can command
her, but generally the closer will be
his obedience to her teachings. Ma
ture makes no mistakes-she never
practices false economy-all progress
is by due obedience to her laws.
The application OF manure in au-
tumn presupposes that it has become
partially decomposed during the sum-
mer, and that it will become well rot
ted by the following spring, when
needed by plants upon the resumption
or commencement of their growth
1t is thus ready for their use, and this
is one material advantage OF applying
manure in autumn. Another adyan.
tago is, that this decomposition has
reduced its bulk without deteriorat-
ing its value, (if properly carried on }
rendering its transportation less eX-
pensive, while at the same time the
team and the roads arc in a better con-
dition tor the work. The summer
season, too, has afforded time torcom-
posting the stores Of the barnyRrd
with muck and other vegetable mat
ter, thus increasing largely the amount
and value of both classes of material
an important object to the farmer.
Nature, if asked the question, chow
shall we apply manure" answers "on
the surface" She has no operation
analogous to plowing--and while we
may think we have improved upon
Lermethods--as we undoubtedly have
in this and other respects-we still
may learn wisdom from her example.
In applying manure to sward land in
the fall, let it be spread upon the sur.
iace--the growing grass will keep it.
in place, will keep it moist, and will
gradually work its decomposition.-I
When we would pl0w in the spring,
it is in the right state aud position for
our use-tor the use of the succeed |
ing crop--and practice proves this to
b. one of the best methods ofmanur-
ing Sward for any crop. In applying
manure on stnbble land, it would be
well to cover it Immediately with the
gang-plOw Or cultivator, incorporating
it as thoroughly as may be with the
surface soil. In spring, before SOW
ing, let the land be plowed to q prop
er depth for the crop applied, and the .
result has been, in the case in which .
trial has been made, a better crop than
from manuring in the spring in the
usual manner.
Practical farmers are studying more
closely than heretofore the nature of |
the soils and plants, and the demands |
made upon the former by the latter,
and seeking to learn from practical
science, and from the operations Of ma
ture herself, the most economical meth.
I'd Of supplying these demands freely,
fully, and so as to derive profit from
the operation. The manure ques,
ton is one Of great interest, and one
freely discussed, and we hope to see
new light thrown upon it from this
source. Surely the practical man has |
the means, if any one has, Of devel- !
oping natural laws and of testing the !
principles which lie az the root Of the
labors in which he is constantly en-.
ployed, and upon which he depends !
(aud not vainly) for a livelihood. 1t
depends upon himself whether he
shall be mere hireling in the great
labOratory--knowing and caring moth
ing for the operations he aids in con-
dpcting--or whether he be a skillful
analyst, understanding, combining
and notwithstanding and putting
to use the important principles evol-
we'd. 1t shall be our aim to offer all
aid in our power, as a journalist, for
the farmer, to the furtherante of the
work.-COuntry Gentleman.
CULTIVATION OF HoIsERADIsH.-
Ilorseradish is an excellent condiment
.,, El,o tob1o o,1 anu ooo;l,, bo raicaI