Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-01-11
Something ahnuI Muck

Several correspondents having lately revived,
through our columns, the by no means new
question as to the value of muck. we present
for their consideration a word or two upon
the same subject. :.
Experiments in the analysis and practical
use of muck are of such number and the re-
suits have been of such nature as to prove
that it should never be used in its crude state,
or on being immediately thrown up from its
bed. The time it should be allowed to de-
compose dep, nds to a considerable extrnt
upon the character of the deposit. 1t 1t has
been lying in stagnant water, or If water has
been soaking through tin which latter case
it will be found of but little value for fertil-
Izing purposes--it should remain exposed to
the action of air, rain and frosts for at least
a twelyemonth. If, on the other hand, 1t
comes from dry situation it may be used as
aD absorbent after having remained exposed
for but three or four months. Without this
seasoning muck is of very little value.
1t is as an absorbent that we place the
greatest value upon muck. When thoroughly
dried 1t is not only complete absorber, but
it is also most perfect dtodorizing agent ;
so that by its use in the COW stable the most
valuable part of the weddings of stock of
cattle and that usually suffered to 60 to waste
the liquid portion, is not only saved, but alb
solute cleanliness, and therefore healthful-
ness, is secured. But when saturated, the
muck should not be left where it will wash,
as in a short time it would become almost
valueless, by the loss of that which is con-
tained through absorption. 1t must remain
rim some covered situation until hauled upon
the land.
Again, muck forms a most useful ingredl-
ent in the compost heap. Used for this pur-
pose, in connection with stable manure, lime,
ashes, salt, etc, it becomes valuable dress
ing, aside from greatly augmentlng the guam
tity of the farm fertilizers. For many uses,
/ especially for corn, garden crops, and as a
| tOp-dressing for grass lands. it is regarded by
all who have ever used it as better than pure
dung; especially if applied on light, open
soil, liable to suffer from drought.
! The question is often asked by farmers il
muck used alone is of itself any advantage to
the land. This question can be quite ac-
curately answered by saying that generally
1t is not. Its value in this respect results
| from its mechanical action. On sandy, po-
rous soils, such as are liable to leach, and to
readily feel the effect of drought, an appli-
cation of muck would give-in consequence
| of it's quality Of attracting and retaining
moisture-greater consistency to the soil ;
and upon clayey soils it would also serve to
render them less stiff and rigid and more
susceptible of cultivation.
! In some Of his forcible and conclusive SEN
fences, Liebig has shown how peat or muck,
consisting for the most part of mere vegeta-
1 bic matter, and which has ceased to undergo
| further voluntary decomposition, often con-
talns substances highly injurious to vegeta-
4 ton, such as sulphate of iron, free phOsphOrlC
and sulphuric acids ; but that these are ca
pable Ct being neutralized and turned to
plant food by the action of lime. This should
direct all farmers in the use they make OIL
muck as a fertilizer.-Mdine Farmer.