Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-05-22
r.cr ARouT MANuRn.

FACTS ABOUT MANURE.
Farmers are beginning to appreciate the value
of manure. Only a few years since, it was
difficult Cor keepers of horses in this and other
cities TO sell load OF manure, or ever, get 1t
drawn from their stables without charge.
MANY times have we seen large piles of excel
lent stable manure drawn out to the waste lands
and commons, and thrown away as worthless.
This was the state Of things in many of our
largest cities, but now dollar load is COM
mon price for very poor article, and 1t is
sought so eagerly, that in Rochester 1t is with
the greatest difficulty we can obtain enough in
the Spring to make hot-beds, while for other
purposes we are compelled TO resort to guano.
Enterprisng farmers in the neighborhood Of
cities and villages, who once obtained plenty OF
manure at low rate, find this source of sup
ply cut off, as nearly all is monopolised by
gardeners aud nurserymen, with whom the
farmer cannot compete. 1t will be seen, there
fore, that the farmer is thrown mainly upon
his own resources, and must make manure upon
the farm, or purchase some Of the high priced
fertilizers, like guano. 1t may be good econo-
my to do the latter in some special cases, but
the farmer, as general rule, should make cal
culation to keep his land in the highest state OF
fertility, by what he can produce. We are &C
quainted with gentleman who purchased, at a
low price, farm that had been run down so
completely as to be considered almost worth
less. In fact, it had the reputation OF being
starvation farm in all that neighborhood Sew
eral had attempted its resuscitation, and failed,
with loss oftime and money. Its present owner
commenced operations by the purchase of
few tuns of guano, and was thus enabled to
grow very moderate crop of corn on por-
ton, while the rest was allowed to run tograss,
the spears being few and far between. The
corn was fed out the next autumn and winter,
the stalks being cut and scalded, and the corn
made into meal. A little poor hay, which the
worn out meadows afforded, was also cut and
scalded. This, with some mill-feed, and few
tuns of hay purchased of neighbors, allowed
him to keep considerable stock, and thus make
large quantity OF manure for the next season,
which, with half the quantity of guano used the
previous year, was used for the production of
more corn. The land in corn that year was
MANFRED and sown with oats and clover. From
this time there was constant and rapid i'm
provement. No more guano was needed, and
now this enterprising farmer owns one of the
most productive and best paying farms in the
county in which he resides. In this way guano
may be of the greatest value TO the farmer, CIV
ing him a start-a foundation for improve
ment--but only in very special cases can it be
made main reliance.
An agrculturist once observed very truth
fully, that linen have explored the caves of
India, the battle-felds of Europe. and the coasts
of Africa, for the elements of fertility, yet upon
our own farms and in adjoining workshops, are
to be found many sources from which fertility
may be obtained" A glance at some of these
sources of fertility may not be Improbable.
Enough manure is produced to keep every farm
as rich as the choicest garden spot, if it were
only saved and applied properly. The head
lam -ciI thnr
are covered with rank vegetable growth that
should be gathered together, and thrown into a
pile to decay. The swamps furnish mine of
great value to the farmer. Its black, porous
muck is one of the best materials in the world
for absorbing liquid manure, that is too often
allowed to run to waste. A compost heap
formed OF turf and muck makes convenient
place for throwing all the slops from the house,
all offensive refuse, and soon becomes a regu
lar guano heap.
Those who live near town, by being on the
lookout, may still be able to pick up good
deal of valuable matter cheap. The sweepings
of the blacksmiths shop is excellent, so is the
refuse from wooden factories, and all bone shay
ings. The best field of wheat we ever saw, was
owned by comb maker, who had made iber-
al use of horn shavings. Farmers will find
ashes Of far more value than many imagine
especially for light lands. But for a little extra
choice manure for special purposes and occa
sions, there is nothing like the fowl house. II
hen manure is well saved, and used to the hes,
advantage, we believe it will more than pay for
the keep of the fowls For giving onions
start ahead of the weeds, there is nothing sc
good as little hen manure, drilled in with the
seed, and it is just as good for carrots. A tea
cup full scattered in the hill at the time o
planting corn, helps, the young plants amaz.
ingly, and gives them lift that carries then
well through the season. But, every farme
needs a good vegetable garden and for THU
fowl manure is mostly needed -Four or fiv
quarts put in barrel of water makes fin
liquid manure for any beds of young plants tina
need stimulating. In this form we use it 70
melons, cucumbers, &C., as soon as they appea
above ground, to put them out of the way o
"bugs," and on beds ofcabbage and caulihowe
plants, for the same purpose. Celery plants
after being set out, may be hurried up amaz
ingly by being watered two or three times
week with this liquid feed. 1t magnfcen
sweet corn is wanted, half pint of dry hen dung
if made fine and well scattered in the hill, vii
produce it..Rral Ne'c Yorker.