Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1864-06-22
Liquid Manures.

Why are liquid manures more efficient
than would have been the solid materials
from which they were made? This question
is often asked, and invslves the exercise OF
natural laws, precisely in the direction IN
which farmers should investigate it.
We claim that the compost heap, arranged
with cistcrn ut its lower: end, and supplied
with a,pump, SO as to throw back the
fluid dr rainage, frequently adding waterwhen
the drainage is insufficient, will Cause the
whole mass, in due time, to be converted into
the fluid form without loss OF the ammonia,
and will thus render all the constituents OF
compost capable of being applied by the
sprinkling cart.
The reasons why single cord of manure
thus eeatsd will have the effect OF four or
more cords of the same manure applied to
the soil, after the usual decomposition in the
ordinary way, are two-fold': fret, heliquid
form secures the ability TO bring portions OF
this manure in contact with the snrtace CT
all The particles of the coil, disseminating it
so that it comes in contact, ass necessity,
with all the roots percolating the soil, and in
form tosbe4 readily received BY absorption !:
second, the chemical changes which necessa-
rily 70 on during the entire decomposition OF
the compost heap before it reaches the solu-
bic condition. are most complete; every
Ingredient is b-oughtin chomical contact with
every other ingredient, land progression OF
conditions is occurring continuously, until at
the time of the eventual solution, the pro-
gression probably equals what would have
occurred By the whole munurs having takep
place once or oftener in organic life, before
finding its place as manure III thessoli. Ihes
same effects are illustrated when we plow in
clover q green crop: it receives from the
soil its inorganic pabulum, and is thus pro-
gressed by its appropriation in its organism |;
when the clover IS once more decomposed
beneath the surface, these inorganic constit-
uents are yielded up ready for.us on a new
crop. So withthe fluid manures manufac-
tured in Flanders and elsewhere; no portion
of straw, decolnposed in the sell, can feed
a new plant, until it, is capable Of being dis.
solved in water, and this solution cannot
occur without chemical changes, the condi-
tons for which are supplied by the surround
'ings Such changes occur mcst rapidly when
the compost heap s>arranged in the manner
re have described; and, therefore, Gud ma
nnre contains all the inorganic m"tser in
soluble form, and will not bercfused by grow.
ing crops. 'Tn this way all that natlIre's laws
" ould bring about With manures in al or
dinary state, plowed into the ground, in teu
years, are ready and occur the current sea-
son when these manures are presented to the
roots Of plants in auid form.
The convenience OF the compost heap ar
ranged with cistern and pump, as we have
deseubed, is very great. for it admits of mix
ing large quantities Of inect materials in the
compost, and OF rendering thsm soluble;
thus, swamp muck decomposedg by the lime
and salt mixture, river mud and other similar
materials, may form part OF this compost
all the wastes Of the house in the form oI
soap su,}S, chamber I've, ETC., may pass through
this cisterp and perform their part in the
compost heap, besides supplying their inte
grants eventually to the field. In soils where
potash is deficient, this may lie added in
soluble form to tie cistern, OF in sn nsouhle
form placed on top the heap; for there it
will meet with go many changes of condition,
and combine with such variety of other
constituents, as TO render it soluble.
Whep ammonia is escaping. which, ey the by,
is not likely to occur where the heap is fully
SUPPLIED with moisture, then sulphuric acid
may be added 10 this cistern, and being
on The compost. rs Diluted, VIII
change the carbonate OF ammonia, which Is
non. Solatle, and is valuable far its power ol
rendering water capable of dissolying those
nteeraLIs of manures ana soils, most need
rul 10 plants.