The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-07-10
For The
Farm Items.

A short article in late number of
the WING on the use of Superphos-
pilates, seems to suggest few remarks
on the abuse of them, which we think
is the more common practice in many
parts of our country.
The author says,-"No injurious eff
fects have yet been noticed from it's use
in large way, as has been of Lime
and Guano." Now, it would seem from
carefully conducted experiments on the
Chester Co. Experimental Farm, for
Eastern Pennsylvania, that in some
cases, at least, there has been point
reached where the continued application
of Phosphates has produced no addi-
tional increase of crop. The same re-
suit has often been arrived at by many
private parties, aud the failure has most
ly been attributed to the want of in
trinsic value in the manure
1t is very true that much valuable
manure is wasted when brought in con-
tact with strong alkaline or acid sub
stance. In many cases the action of
amonia and the value of the manure
are almost entirely destroyed by being
mixed with Plaster or Gypsum. There
is no teacher SO good as experince, but
it is sometimes very expensive one
The subject of the use of Phosphates
and other commercial manures, is one
of great Importance to the present, as
well as future prosperity of ouragricul-
tural community. The question, can
we continue to raise paving crops and
increase the fertility of our farms by
the use of bought manure is one in
which every body has an interest? Are
we by the use Of stimulants, using up
the natural resources of the soil, and
not returning fair equivalent to it p
This system of exhaustive tillage has
been pursued in many parts of this and
other States, with what result the de-
nudcd fields bear witness Prevention
is better than cure, is an old adage, and
will hold good in agriculture as we'll as
in medicine. Now, while we would not
underrate the value of artificial fertili-
zcrs, we would nevertheless call the at
tention of farmers to the Importance of
returning to the soil, as much as posi-
bic of the crop that is taken from it, in
some form or other, if we would MAIN
tain, Or elevate the standard of fertility.
Many of the farms of Eastern PcnnsyI-
vania have been steadily advancing by
system of fatting cattle, by feeding
all their hay and corn, and sometimes
even buying grain. The piles of val
liable manure turned out from such
farms have proved piles of wealth, and
in most cases this, with the addition of
Lime has been almost the only Fertili-
zcrs used. 1t has been the practice of
many farmers in the vicinity of the cities,
to sell their hay and haul back manure
from the city stables. This process has
also enriched both the farms and owners.
In Bucks Co. Pa, there is not one
third, if we may judge from appear
ances, the proportion of Phosphate used
that there is in Cecil Co Md, and per-
haps even less Bone Their main re-
lance is on stable manure, and vet, even
they waste more of their home article,
by not having shelter for their stock,
than Is common in some other places
The temptation to apply stimulating
manures and get all out of land in
few years that it is capable of, is dou-
bly, strong where land is leased or crop
ped out for a short term of years, and
it is becoming more and more apparent
that this couse will not do Although
raw bones do not act so speedily as
phosphates, past observation has led
many to use them in preference, and
with much more lasting results
BY Il judicious system of feeding, and
saving of home manures, together with
bone enough to supply the waste in
grain sold, our State may continue as
fertile as any in the Union.-Rus.