Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-09-19
farmers 9epartulellt.
Manuring the wheat Crop.

Manure holds the same relation to
the farm that steam does to the en-
gine: it is the force used to accom-
plsh the desired result. Let the one
fail on the engine and the wheels
stop, let the other be withdrawn from
the soil and its useful products rapid
ly and constantly diminish. If the
farmer cannot manure every crop,
then he should consider from which
he can best afford to withhold the
fsrtalizers. If he designed grow
ing crop of oats, followed by one
of wheat, it would not be wise to ap-
ply the manure to the oat crop and
give none to the wheat. It would
not pay as well; the crop of manure
would be sold in a cheap market
So, too, it might be injudicious 20
manure crop Of potatoes and have
none to apply to the succeeding
grain. The season in which manure
should be applied, the stage Of the
crop, and the depth at which it
should be placed, are also topics
which the farmer should think much
about. Many consider that if
manure is only buried in the soil it is
enough. no matter whether it be
deep or shallow, whether the subsoil
be firm or leaehy, if the manure is in
the earth the crops, they argue, will
get the full benefit of it-some time
or another. But this is not always
true, and it is certainly more scien-
tifc and profitable farming to apply
manure-not to increase the general
fertility of the soil with a view to
benefting several crops in success
sien-but to directly augment the
yield of special crop. This course
will bring the most profit, for pro-
ducts which command the highest
prices are thus largely increased.
Doubtless most farmers will assent
to the assertion that the wheat crop
needs manure as much as any other
one, and pays as well for its liberal
application. But the profits of this
operation may be greatly varied by
the manner in which it is DONE
Flowing in manure deeply will not
give as good results as placing it on
or just under, the surface. tits less
labor for the farmer to plow in the
manure, for it is easier to haul it on
q hard surface than over freshly
plowed ground. And then it is out
of the way of the harrow and the
drill; but when buried deep it does
not nourish the young plant in its
first growth, and impart to it strength
and size to endure the approaching
winter. Nor does it mulch the sur
face and protect the tender plants
from heaving frosts and blighting
winds. The rains in their descent
wash the soluble elements down
wards and away from the searching
roots. Surface manuring reverses
these processes, and is more rational
and productive Of more immediate
visible results.
Well ferlnented barn yard manure
is good enough for any crop, and the
best manure for all, out the trouble
is we can't get enough of it. Wheth-
er the wheat grower can afford to
purchase and use fertilizers is a
question which he must settle by ex-
pertinent and observation. Lime
may often be used with great profit;
plaster is beneficial in some seasons,
and salt returns a liberal profit if
sown on rich lands in humus. Fer
tilizers for the wheat plant should be
applied before the seed has germi-
mated, as general rule, at least be-
fore the spring begins. The prefer
able time+is just before sowing'-Ru-
raj New Yorker.