Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-08-22
AGRICULTURE Al
Lime and-SO-fOrth,

Ilme-When the lime is prepared for
agricultural purposes, in should be
used Immediately. If long exposed
to rain and dews before spread, it
loses great portion of its fertilizing
power, which consists in its decompos-
ing vegetable matter, and neutralizing
acids which abound in some soils, es
peclally those subject to flooding or
stagnant water
APPtcation.-The preferable way of
applying lime, according to my exper-
lence, is on wheat stubble; as the lime
gives the grass power to absorb ammo
MIA from the atmosphere, and retains
that which is disengaged by the de-
compos!tion>of vegetable matter in the
soil. Form thirty to sixty bushels per
acre, once in six years, should be ap-
piled. Thirty bushels is about equal to
| one ton.
Good effects have resulted from it's
application on wheat and corn
When thus applied, it may bespread be-
fore blowing, but better afterwards,
and thoroughly narrowed in. It
should dneverbe combined with manure,
unless the whole is Immediately plowed
in.
Indications ofwant of lime in the soil,
may be seen in heavy crops of straw,
and light crops of grain; and in root
crops, where they seem to run to fin
gers and seed.
Sots.-Lime is applicable to every
clay soil, every peaty soil, sandy or thin
soil. When applied to the latter, ma
nure should accompany it, Lime will
renew many exhausted soils, ifproperly
applied.
The nice adoption of manures to the
peculiar wants of every crop, is point
IN farm economy too universally neg
lected. There should be more system
and research by practical farmers. To
double the crops on most farms, about
all that is necessary is for our agricuI-
turlsts to sell off one half their land,
and with the proceeds buy manure for
the other half The larger the farm
the less a man grows to the acre.
Farmers should always plow deep; the
roots will strike deeper into the soil
and thus obtain more nourishment,
and will stand the drought much
better; the ground can afterwards be
titled much deeper, thus enabling the
moisture from dews and fogs to pene-
trate to the roots of plants IN times of
drought.
Sbelering lNanure.-Stable manure
kept under shelter, and properly mixed
with habsorbingsubstances muck leaves,
strawy litter, &c, is of much greater
value than when exposed in the open
yard. An analysis made at the Eng
lish Agricultural College, shows that
it contains more than double the guam
tity of nitrogenized matter, and the
same Of salts, containing organic and
inorganic matter, soluble in water;
while of potash and soda, the unshel-
tered manure retains only 08 per cent,
and sheltered OF per cent. 1t would
pay farmers we'll to build manure
sheds.
Tie Manure Of Fouls is of great value
to farmers. A few weeks before plant
ing corn time, mix the manure with
ashes and plaster, in proportion of
about four parts manure, one part ashes,
and one part plaster. Let it dry and
pulverize. Drop handful in each hill,
and cover slightly with earth before
planting.
Build hen house for your fowls to
roost in; one years manure on your
next crop of corn will pay all the ex-
pense, and will, if properly built, with
yard attached, add very much to the
increase of eggs through the winter
season.