Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-01-29
Manure--C0ncentrated or
SpeciaI, &C.

common stable or yard manure of the
farm; and are valuable as aids, to stimu-
late or start an early growth, in connec.
ton with the ordinary farm manure. They
should occupy-to use pardonable il
lustration-the same, or similar, relation
to the crops and soil, that the side dishes
of the gentlemen's dinner table do 10 the
eater Of the dinner very much more ben
eft accruing when used in conjunction
with common manure, as generally they
act as stimulants-their action not being
So lasting as the other, and from their
very nature not capable of producing the
same action on the soil that ordinary farm
manure does.
All manures of every description may
be classed under two different heads or
classes, as organic and inorganic-the
former consisting of animal and vegeta-
BILE substances, and the latter of mineral
matter; each acts upon the soil in vari-
Gus ways, and on different soils different
ly. Inorganic manures furnish nourish-
ment to plants, and also act mechanically
and chemically upon the soil, the same
as, although III somewhat different degree
from, organic manures.
The good to be derived from manure
applied, depends largely upon the ccndi-
ton of the soil in regard to moisture, as
we'll as its mechanical condition; for 1pa
nurcs can only be received, as food for
plants, in solution, and a suitable degree
of moisture is essential to this otherwise
the manure remains inactive in the soil.
Also, if the soils be filled with water,
needing drainage, and cold, so that de.
composition cannot proceed-or, if pro.
cecding, very slow-plants derive little
benefit from manure in the soil, however
well filled. So if the mechanical condi-
ton be unfavorablc, other circumstances
being favorable, the soil should be fine
and porous, so that the atmospheric ac-
ton will be free among its particles, to
warm and moisten them, thus aiding and
assisting the putrcfactive process of de.
caying substances of the soil, as also the
chemical changes going on in the mineral
matters OF the soil.
We find variety of fertilizers-or
claimed as such-in the market, such as
the various brands of guano, -four of bone,
bone meal, superphosphate of lime, muri-
ate of lime, sulphates and nitrates Of pot
ash, soda and ammonia, fish guano, pou-
drettes, etc. Without doubt they all con-
tain, more or less, of some principle which
is valuable to the agriculturist; but too
many of them do not furnish it in sufi-
cient quantity to warrant the economical
farmer in paying its market price. If he
cannot depend upon the market, what is
he to do? believe we have heretofore
pointed out resources sufficient, which, if
taken full advantage of, will, with small
supplement from the market of such as is
known and proved to be good, keep our
farms improving, if properly applied, in
connection with thorough culture and ro-
tation, so as to produce maximum crops.
| believe the farmer will find it more
economical to expend the same amount
in time and labor in preparing his own
fertilizers, than to expend the money for
those of the market.
PREPARATION OF DOMESTIC PouDRErrE.
In the prepal alton Of poudrette, would
h. pursue the course recommended in q
former late article, he would have bet
ter article than amy the market affords,
and if he wishes to add more, let him col.
lect-it can usually be had for the gath.
ering-the night soil from the neighbor-
ing village or city, and compost it with
muck, loan, sods, &C., under cover; it
can be done principally during cold or
winter weather, and this is better than
much of the poudrette have seen man.
uhctured.
There is manufactory-on limited
scale-of this article within few miles
of me, which has stood we'll where it has
been used, and few years since was pro.
nounced good, after analysis by Prof
Johnson but the mode-which is the
usual plan pursued-of preparation, sub
jects it 10 making somewhat variable
article. The night soil is collected dur
ing the winter from the neighboring city,
and drawn in close waterIight boxes on
wheels or runners, as the travelling may
be, and stored in tanks sunk into the
ground undercover, and the poudrette
prepared during the following season.
There is suitable area in the open air,
covered with floor of boards and plank,
on which the poudrette is prepared this
floor is covered with muck which has
been previously dug from neighboring
bed, and laid to drain and become some.
what ameliorated, to the depth of two to
four inches ;over this is spread from buck
cts, the liquid night soil from the tanks
the majority stored being liquid-which
is readily absorbed, after which it is turn
ed over and stirred. when another quanti-
ty of night soil is applied and worked as
before. No means Of testing the pou-
drette are used, except certain rule of
applying about so much of the. soil to
each spread of the muck. Now if show
er comes up, which is often the case, DUR
ing the time of these manipulations, the
fertilizing matter is washed out of this,
being spread thin over so large an area.
Sometimes a shower comes on just as
the poudrette is ready for the screen
such poudrette is of little valuo-a rea-
son ofits variableness in part, frequently.
A farmer making his own will add a
greater quantity muck, &C., and keep the
aims of, which will give it greater val
lie in amending the soil where applied.