Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-26
NO. "a
Correspondence.
For the Journal.
THE APPLICATION OF MANURE.

capacity of our knowledge to measure.
hile we may not expect to fathom it in
iuil we may hope to present some hints,
suggestions, and observations that may
aio US IN our investigations, and point US
toward the correct method.
observation and experience should de-
term'ne the method of application, and
give correct plans in regard to different
soils; this alone can be taken as a correct
guide, whether to plow it under deep or
shallow, whether to harrow it in upon the
fuiToW, or whether to leave it entirely upon
the surface. OF course no set rule can be
given for all soils, conditions and crops.
This is understood and we shall treat the
subject in general rather than special
manner.
The advocates of surface manuring
speak against manure being turned under
too deep, while the advocates of deep
manurlng charge surface manuring with
lertilizing the air. But there is a medium
course and each theory is supported by
plausible arguments. However, there are
philosophical principles against burying
manure too deeply in the earth. The loss
OF the saline matter of the manure by So
luton, and infialtion will be great in
porous soil, and the evaporation, to which
so much loss is attributed by those hold
ing opinions adverse to surface manuring,
would be only small drop in the bucket
compared to the loss by leechng.
In porous soils it will be much greater.
ana 1t Is well known that manure will pen
citrate to great depth In digging my
barn cellar, few years ago. portion of
what was formerly the barn-yard was in
cluded. At a depth of six feet from the
surface the dirt, though solid pan was
impregnated very strongly with the solu-
bic clements of the manure. This was
very sensible to the smell My barn-well
is surrounded on three sides by the yard.
On one side the yard is dishing and holds,
in times of wet, large puddle of strong
ly impregnated water-leachings of the
manure, and yet the well water never
shows, to taste or smell, the least taint of
its surroundings, Now here is point
worth thought The dirt at least six feet
below the surface strongly impregnated
with soluble elements of the manure
Water passes, of course, through this dirt
to supply, i'll Il measure the well, and vet
the water was not affected. can account
for it only in the well-known absorbent,
and retentive power of dirt, its disnfect-
ant properties. Wells are very seldom af.
tected by filth about them, except on sandy
soil, or open, porous gravel, unless it gets
i'll from the immediate surface.
Natures method of applying manures is
on the surface; hence many advocate fol-
lowing nature and applying on the sur
face. Let us examine this little and see.
One crop grows up, falls to the earth and
in due season another succeeds This pro-
cess continues where no disturbing causes
interfere, continuously. Natures fertili-
zers consists largely Of vegetable SUBJ
stances, which she forms from mineral
substances, primarily. The vegetable is
the connecting link between man and
beast, on the one hand, and the mineral
kingdom on the other.
Nature applies her fertilizers that are
vegetable at the surface and in state at
first not decomposed The farmer applies
manure Of the barn, a vegetable substance
partly decomposed. Where shall he APP
ply it? If it was the hay and grain before
being anamilized, he would have no dis
pute, for nature plainly points out ho,o and
Where. But the farmer has forwarded its
decomposition. he has fed it to his stock
and forwarded its preparation for veg
etable food In its sensitive, soluble,
concentrated state it is liable to loss in
two ways, solution and percolation to
too great depths, and also to evaporation
that is being carried off by the at
mospheric agencies of sun, wind and
moisture. The point is, where shall the
farmer place it that the least loss shall en-
sue from these upward and downward
agencies, and at the same time be most
convenient and available for the plant il is
designed to stimulate and feed? Natures
method is applying coarse, undecomposed
material on the surface, layer each year
-mulching, in short Were our manurial
substances no more decomposed than hers,
it would be wisdom to initiate her and ap-
ply on the surface. But as manures are
in state of rapid change, subject to great
losses in two ways-evaporation and
leaching-we would put them just as near
the surface as practicable, in order to
cover with thin layer of dirt.
There are several reasons why we
would do this: First, the great mass of
roots of any plant is near the surface,
though some extend deeply. The in
tluences OF heat, rain and air can reach it
more readily and tit it for plant food.
Second, the teachings of its soluble ele-
ments will be caught nearer the surface,
than though it was deeper in the soil.
Third. dirt being the best absorbent and
disintectant known, a small quantity over
the manure will prevent the escape of
any ofits constituency by atmospheric
influences. Fourth, it can be applied
more evenly and accurately than if put
deeper. Manure turned under by the
plow is in lines, the width of the furrow
Slice. Fifth, if put deep in the soil by
the plow, much hard, cold subsoil will be
thrown to the surface, while the finer and
better topsoil will be turned under. Sixth.
it is better to plow only as deep as we
can thoroughly pulverze and enrich.
These, gentlemen, are the most weighty
reasons, borne out by the observations
Of good farmers. snd also the result of
practical experience with myself. In
his connection, and as an aid to render
mo soil capable of giving the greatest
returns for manure applied, it would be
well TO notice the effects of underdrain-
| ing.
dry and warm; it enables us to work il
earlier and later in the season; it deepens
CONCLUDED ON EOrRTu pAav