The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-07-26

SAID that mulch will enrich ground
Independent Of the manure Il makes,
as il keeps the soil In condition 20
receive enriehing qualities from the
atmosphere; wheat straw spread over
the ground rs q mulch, will impart
moro fertility than the same compost
cd and applied as manure. Finally
burning off the mulch and blowing
the ashes under, will enrich more than
the same substance used in any other
way. The idea is correct OF mixing
SOIL with the raw manure in the COM
post heap. The practice of loavina-
manure in the field in piles for a long
time before scattering It, results in
great waste; better TO mix with soil
and scatter broadcast in spring. Tfo
agreed with others as to the merits
of clover. By its long root it extracts
crude matter from the subsoiI, bring
ing it TO the surface to ho modified by
the air and sun. Clover acts behe.
fcially in the way Of mulch, as well
as in furnishing material for manure;
leaving il to decay on the ground iin~
proves the soil rapidly.
Mr.. Borchcrs spoke further in re-
lation to the manner in which clover
operates in bringing to the surface
the mineral constituents Of subsoils,
and fitting them for use in enriching
.he top soil.
Mr.. Busby inquired rs to the effect
OF mulching in preventing freezing Of
the soil.
Mr. Fetters said that the soil would
freeze to a considerable depth not
withstandipg the presence of a heavy
mulch.
Mr. Barr agreed, in the main, with
Mr.. Fotters. To what extent mulch
ing should be practiccd, however, be
was not prepared to say. The use Of
clover he commended very highly;
it must in time become the main re
lance Of farmers in enriching land in
any considerable quantity, by plowing
it under as green crop. Thinks this
method Of using it better than allow
ing it to rot on the surface, although
that will improve the soil also. The
making of compost heaps, on largo
scale, would be much more expensive,
while clover can be used to any extent
at comparatively little cost.
Mr.. Work said be was in the habit
Of hauling manure TO his fields in
August, depositing it in piles, to be
scattered at any time afterwards be-
fore freezing weather. lie gets moro
benefit from this method than by
waiting till spring before hauling on;
he finds the soil mellow, as well as
enriched, by his practice, when it
comes to be plowed. He further re-
marked that much more manure was
made in winter than any other sea
son, and it might sometimes be a
question whether it was best to apply
this to the soil the succeeding spring,
or wait till fall. According as labor
might be available, it might in cases
be best to apply it in spring, inasmuch
as if not fully effective on first crop it
would be on the second.
Mr.. Clark advocated the use of abb
sorbents scattered in the barnyard;
believing the quantity of manure
might in this way be doubled.
Mr.. Dennis stated that his practice
was similar to that of Mr.. Work
Said that he had good crop Of wheat
for this season, which was grown on
ground where manure was applied
last fall, spread thinly and plowed in.
Mr.. Barr raised the question as to
what should be done with manure
through the summer, and recon-
mended having the barnyard in q
basin shape = have the straw pile
there-let the stock feed there, and
put in the same place the manure ac-
cumulating elsewhere. In this way
there would not be much waste in let
ting it lie till wanted for applying to
the soil.
Mr.. Giesy inquired for a method Of
exterminating the alder bush. Sew
eral members recommended pastur-
ing with sheep. Also repeated and
continued cntting off the tops.
An inquiry was made whether any
grape rot had yet made its appear
ance.
Mr.. Clark referred to one or two
instances Of very slight manifestation
of rot, but thought the general crop
was now past the period of danger
from this cause.
Some conversation took place about
the prevailing affection of apple, pear
and ounce trees by blight or other
cause killing the foliage in scattered
places,
Mr.. Fctters attributed the difficulty
to the sting of insects, which he had
seen at work, and which he described
as greenish bug, like buckwheat
kernel in shape.
Mr.. Giesy concurred in this view.
Mr.. Dcunis thought electricity was
the cause.
Mr.. Clark traced the difficulty to
the action of the severe winter
thought it was what Downing terms
the frozen sap blight.
Mr.. Gravett was disposed to go
further back for the cause, and that
it was to be found in the imperfect
and unmatured wood of some former
season characterized by great growth.
Mr.. Clark proposed as the next sub
iect for discussion-The fruit tree
blight, and the process of propagating
fruit trees by budding. Adopted.
Fruits were exhibited as follows:
By Messrs, Busby and Dennis
Princes Early Harvest apple.
By Mr.. Barr-Red Astrachan and
Early Harvest apples.
D.. NJ, nlnrl, (Hrnt,n Mnrfin1n rar