The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-03-27

The following rotation of crops, adj
opted by Peter Hodson OF Venice,
Cayuga County, New York, although
similar to that in use by some other far
mers, is so good one for retaining or
increasing the fertility of land, that we
think it worthy of being presented to
the consideration of such of our readers
as may desire to make Improvement.
in this particular. The soil on which
this rotation is used, is good medium
loan, neither very light nor of The
heaviest or strongest character.
First year-Corn on sod.
Second year-Basiey, followed by
clover, not cut nor pastured, but allow
ed to rot down>
Third year-Clover plowed under
when full grown, and after puverzing
the top of the inverted sod with two
horse cultivator, sowing with wheat.
Fourth year-Wheat.
Fifth ycar--Clover and timothymead-
ow.
Sixth year-Pasture.
1t will be seen that only two tillage
crops are allowed in succession, the
owner remarking that they always
make the land ''sleepy" 4 small.crop
of oats is raised only for home use. A
free use of litter far the stabbed cattle
aad horses, mixing all the materials
uniformly togethes in heaps, enables
him to manufacture about four hundred
two-hOHse loads Of manure per annum
for q farm Of about 100 acres. This he
usually applies for the benefit OF the
cora crop the year before it is planted,
spreading it broadcast upon the grass
about midsummer or earlier. lie finds
no detriment from any suppuration of
the manure during the heat of summer;
the grass manure becomes gradually
dihused among the roots and through
the soil. lie has spread rs early as the
month of June. BY this time t he win
ter accumulations have rotted enough,
and the long fibre is broken.
tsGl'ry Hsnure-Hoy to Save an, iii
POULTRY manure, one of the most
valuable fertilizers made upon the
larm,ls too often allowed to go to waste.
Inc hens and turkeys roost upon trees,
under the shed, in the wagon-house, or
wherever ii happens. To save the ma.
nure, these birds must be taught to
roost in one place. Turkeys readily take
TO elevated poles near the house or barn,
and these should always be provided for
them. Sweep up their droppings every
few days, and put in box or barrel,
and keep dry. Hens will roost under
cover, and hen-house should alWavs
be one ofthe farm buildings. The floor,
II not of boards in loft, should be such
that 1t can be cleaned easily and fre.
quently. 1t Is well to keep plaster or
dried peat under the fowls. Put the
sweepings in old barrels as fast as they
accumulate. In dry state they will
keep long time without much loss
1t is customary to mix these droppings
with wood ashes, without much atten.
tion to definite proportions, at the time
of planting, and drop them in the hill
for corn and potatoes. If care is taken
to keep the seed from contact with the
manure, they produce very satisfactory
results. But this is not the best way
of using it. Two or three weeks before
planting, mix the contents of the bar.
rels with about three times their bulk
of moist loan or peat under cover
When the mass is well heated, shovel il
over, and mix with it as much more
loan or peat, and let it lie until
wanted. This may be worked into beds
prepared for garden seeds, or dropped,
handful to the hill, for field crops,
and it will always tell good story at
harvest time.
AN immense deposis Of tOccoline has
been discovered near Pescara, in Italy.
1t is cOmbustible mineral like asphalt
te, and answers for pavements. About
60 per cent, Of refined oil, which affords
far more brilliant light than petro-
leunI, may be obtained it,