Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-09-13
Our Muck Deposits. No. l.

Our rapidly-increasing number Of agricul-
tural readers are to have very interesting
and useful series of articles upon thu subject
above, to which we invite their careful at.
tentiOn An esteemed and able correspon-
dent gave, few weeks since, some reliable
information as to the manner Of applying
muck, which, together with the awakening
interest in the subject, has induced Mr.. Hall
to give portion of his time to an explana-
ton of our muck deposits, and such dos-
cription oil their nature as will enable each
farmer to maze his own application.
On nearly every farm in the State there is
swamp which, if properly drained, would
yield not only sufficient supply Of manure,
but give a valuable addition of meadow
land.
We ask our readers to carefully watch the
progress of these articles and records Of exper-
imonts, and make such inquiries of US as will
enable them to fully understand the subject,
for we are satisfied that this is one of the
means Of adding largely to the value aud
products of our State
EDITOR FREEMEN Il have been gratifed
to notice that both yourself and cores
pondents have been calling the attention of
your agricultural readers to the subject of
muck, as manure. No topic is more worthy
of consideration, connected with our State
agriculture. But there is great liability of
erroneous opinions, resulting from the fact
that the name muck is applied to substances
greatly differing in character, and producing
very different effects upon crops.
The name muck is used by many to desg-
nate any carbonaceous, dark cololed substance
washed from higher into lower places or ba-
sins; such as leaves, decayed wood, &C.
This is usually combined with more or less
earthly matter,Sa clay, sand Or soil manga
nese, iron, &c. The value of such muck de-
ponds greatly upon the character Of the sub
stances Of which it is composed. 1t may be
of considerable value, and it may be nearly
worthless, when used as manure. Such muck
in some cases contains 50 much sulphate of
iron (copperas) as not onl y to be useless, but
injurious, to vegetation have examined
some such beds, on which nothing could grow,
yet to the eye it appeared as valuable as
other beds found to be highly so. Soil sone-
times appears very dark or rich, in low
places, and yet is found entirely unproduc-
tive of any valuable grass or vegetable The
dark color arises from manganese, or other
mineral substances resulting from the decom-
position Of rocks. Such mucky places can
be made valuable only by ditchlng, and the
application of alkalies or BAN manure
Deep ploughing, by which portion of the
subsoil is brought to the surface, is often of
great importance. Both open and blind
bitches are found OF great value in such
places.
Another substance, called muck, is o va
riety Of sphaguous peat. 1t has grown in
the place where found at the bottom or
sides of ponds, and has in many instances
continued to consolidate at the bottom, and
extend upward, till the water disappears, and
vegetation 6, ows Oh the surface.
Sphagnous peat Or muck, is greatly affected
by the character Of the rock in place, and
other circumstances attending its formation
1t contains, in some instances, so much vege-
table acid, that, when mixed with the soil,
its effect is injurious rather than beneficial
Many farmers say, L have tried muck, but
it does no good" This will be the expert
ence Of many others, in using uupropared
muck as it exists on their farms.
But yet, immense beds Of muck arc found
in Vermont, Of the highest Importance, some
of which far exceed in value the best manure
of the barn and hog pen. In future commune
cations | will describe both OF these varieties
S. r. H.
Bloomington, September, 1860.