Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1869-04-10
concentrated manures which are com

tile uenents accrling tDerehOm are
comparatively trifling. The appllca-
ton OF domestic manurcs, even pro-
pared In the ol,lfashioned way, very
rarely disappoints us. For the per-
manent improvement Of land they
are to he preferred to commercial ma
nures. The latter are not by any
means uniformly satisfactory in their
results. We are compelled to trust
to the honesty of dealers, and in these
times of moral obtuseness, mems con-
sciences are often too plant and fiex-
ible, and are very apt TO lend a listen
ing ear to the whlsperings of selfish
ness and cupidity and they not un-
frequently furnish an article that
would not repay us for the trouble of
applying 1t. Hence, the conflicting
statements that are made with refer
ence to the utility OF foreign manures.
Interest and prudence dictate that we
make as much OF the former as posi-
Bile, and supply the deficiency with
the latter. Find out what your land
requires; whether it Is deficient in
mineral or vegetable niatter, or both;
purchase the different ingredients and
manipulate them yourselves. Plants
require great diversity of clements TO
meet their demands. The production
of gum, sugar and starch, demands
somewhat different food from that
which enters into the constituents Of
the seeds of beans, peas and wheat.
We must, therefore, make our ma
nures TO meet the wants of the crop
to be platited. The phosphates of
lime and magnesia, decomposed ami
NAL and vegetable matters and COM
mon salt will fulfill all the indications
required.
Guano varies In the quantity OF
ammonia IL contains from five to
twenty-five per cent. If an article
can be procured which will be war
ranted to contain from ten to fifteen
per cent. of ammonia, with the add-
ton Of the phosphates and salt, thero
can hardly be any risk in compound
ing a manure that will pay hand
somely. Those of us who have not
had much experimental acquaintance
with the application of these manures
can safely rely upon the well estab-
lished reports of Others who have not
any pecuniary interest in their man
ufacture as an article of trade. Mr..
David Dickson, of Hancock, whose
experience i'm the use of commercial
manures Is probably greater than that
of any one, at least in our State, thus
writes at is true, l made fine crops
before L used guano, bones, salt and
plaster; but nothing to compare with
crops made with them. I will tell
Mr.. Gift some Of the good guano, etc,
does-it is self-sustaining it is pune
tual IN payment; never repudiates or
asks an extension of time wants no
stay laws or military orders; pays
promptly, and, on an average, as
much as one hundred and twenty-five
per cent; sometimes small per cent,
and at other times as high as four
hundred: it enables one to make
double the quantity of home made
manures; improves the land gives
one the means of keeping more and
better stock improves crops; makes
the laborers more cheerful and willing
to work; puts money in hand to do
fancy farming; purchases good ma
chinery and tools; will afford somo
luxuries as well as substantials, and
enables you to work freedmen, when
they would bring you in debt with
out it,"
Now this is an admirable summing
up OF evidence In favor of his cause;
but although Mr.. Dickson may real
ize these results, it is doubtful whether
there are many who can employ ma
terals with the application as much
skill and judgment as he eundoubtedly
possesses. Ii, however, the half of
what he assures can be realized, We
should require no stronger induce
ments to encourage us to go and do
likewise. The course usually pursued
in the manufacture of domestic ma
nures Is most wasteful and extrava-
giant. Lot manure derived from ami
mails abundantly fed upon corn, fod-
der, oats and peas, Is highly stimulat-
ing; abounding In those alkaljes and
salts which enter into the structure of
the plants which produced those
grains. Ammonia, one OF the most
volatile Of salts, is continually pass
ing off into the atmosphere, known
by its peculiar pungent odor. There
are MANY other soluble salts which
are subject to the continual washfngs
of heavy rains and to the dissipating
effects Of intense solar heat. The
economizing of these valuable fertil-
izers would be greatly augmented by
having our mules and horses confined
under cover, and their stalls made
impervlous to liquids by having the
floors covered with clay well beaten
and made hard and compact, and by
the application of thin layers of land
plaster and bone dust TO the beds of
straw hauled in from time TO time
The volatile ammonia in the form OF
u carbonate would then enter into
chemical union with the land plaster
and bone dust and be permanently
retained. Moreover, the presence of
these substances would greatly accel-
crate the edisintegration and fermenta-
tion Of rough manures. We would,
not only increase the quail
ity, but the quantity of manure
Composts made in the open air should
be treated in like manner, and always
covered with layer of earth or char
coal, to prevent the escape Of ammo
mia. BY employing one hand and
yoke Of oxen, during the year, at this
busiress, we would be amazed at the
quantity of manure produced, laden
with organic and inorganic materials
exactly suiecd 10 the wants Of our
land, and equal In quality to the best
fertilizers.
The comparatively recent discovery
of a phosphate deposit in the form OF
fossil remains OF animals in, so said,
quantities, near
Charleston, we hope will, ere long,
supply us with n valuable fertilizer.
The ordinary superphosphate OF COM
merce usually contains about 55 per
cent. Of phosphoric acid, whereas,
that which we have just noticed Ia
said to contain from 66 to So per cent.
Extensive preparations are now being
made for the application Of this ma
nure TO the soil. The facilities for its
almost TO our doors