The weekly standard., 1869-11-10
How TO INCREASE THE MANURE HEAP

lit was recently stated before the New
York Farmers Club, on what purported to
be good authority, that much of the Pc
ruvian" guano sold in New York has been
nothing more than soil from Long Island
manipulated, composted and mixed with
some chemical preparation, or with mate
rials that had chemica. effect upon the
mass, and that testimonials are abundant
from intelligent farmers that they have found
this stuff to possess great fertilizing quail
ties All of which goes to prove that most
farmers have within their own reach much
of the material needed for fertilizing pur-
poses, if they will but make it available.
Muck from the swamp, scrapings by the
roadside, turf and loan from waste places,
or from anywhere else where the land is not
to be improved. These mixed with the
droppings and liquids of the animals, eth
er IN the barn cellars or in the hog yard,
will make more lasting, and consequently
a more valuable fertilizer than most of the
commercial materials--and at very much
less expense. In fact the cost would be
nothing except the time employed in dig
glng and carting the raw materials.
The great necessity of the times in farm
aration and manufacture of fertilizers Those
who would increase their crops must first
recognize this necessity, and at once go
about answering its demands. 1t lies at
the foundation of all successful farming.
The manure heap must be increased, and it
must be done without relying to any great
extent upon artificial means. Every posi-
bic thing about the premises must be util-
lied to this end, and then we should not
hear of fields and farms running out, but
upon the other hand that their productive
capacity had been increased.
Evidence that more attention must be
given to this matter is to be seen almost
everywhere. Those who desire to raise
remunerative crops must take hold of in
earnest, and in every legitimate way possess
themselves of the means to enrich their
lands. From the above statement in re-
gard to the Peruvian guano, a lesson
may be learned that it will he well to heed.
Instead of paying great prices for home
made article though sold under foreign
name, let US go to work and manufacture
our own Peruvian T" guano. Let US go to
the muck swamp before the fall rains come
and secure a good supply of excellent ma
terial that can be had for the getting. After
passing through the compost heap there
need be no fears but that it will have
good effect on future crops, and pay
large dividend on the expenditure.
HOMEMADE MANUREs.-Much, very
much, has been said and written upon this
subject within the last two decades If cul-
tivators of the soil, on the farm and in the
garden, had been as industrious in making
and applying manures as writers have been
in offering theories, our country, from Maine
to Texas. and from Florida to Alaska, would
at this moment be like blooming garden,
clothed in all the luxuriance of fruits, and
flowers, and grass and golden. Alas! 1t is
not so and it will never be so; until our
farmers awake from their lethargy and indo-
lence. No other alternative is left them but
to awake, and /" work or die" They must
battle with stubborn facts. Among these
facts none is more potent than that our once
fertile lands have been brought to leanness
and barrenness by ruinous system that
took everything from them. and gave no
thing in return. To restore this lost fertili-
ty, liberal supplies of manure are wanted
But where shall this manure come from
Within our forests and on our plains, along
our streaL.s and among our hills, lie the rich
materials, that only await the skillful mani
pulation of science and art to transform
them into golden fruits and grain that will
fill the hearts of our people with food and
gladness." The great bulk of our manure,
however troublesome it may be, must he
made at home, for we cannot afford to pur-
chase tithe of what we need Away, then,
nj To b., tb,
rich stores of leaves and mould that centu-
ries have buried there; go dig your beds of
mari; your limestone deposits; your swamps
of muck; 60 wherever nature has deposited
her vegetable or mineral stores; draw forth
and apply the food which your, crops will
take up and appropriate, and return your
golden stores of autumn wealth. Yes, let
it become your daily thought and work to
make and apply manure Co. collect it and
spread it, broadcast it and drill it, put it
upon the ground and within the ground,
compost it, commute it. concentrate it
Yea, think about it. read out it, talk about
it, and even dream about it, for there is no
safety without it. B. W. JONES.
Cottage Home, surry, Va.
CHICKENS IN PAsTE.-Make a crust as
for pies, and roll it out in cakes large enough
to cover chicken. The chickens should be
very nicely picked and washed, and the in
side wiped dry; put in each small lump
of butter, little salt, pepper and parsley.
Have the pot boiling, close the chickens in
the dough, pin them up in separate cloths
and boil them an hour. Unpin the cloth
in deep dish, so as not to lose the gravy.
Pigeons can be cooked in the same manner.
To CLEAN BRAss.-Rub the tarnished or
rusted brass, by means of cloth Or sponge,
with diluted acid, such as sulphuric, or even
with strong vinegar. Afterwards wash it
with hot water to remove the acid, and fin
ish with dry whiting.