The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-05-10
Heme.Nade Fertilizer.

since the virgin soil in nearly all the
older states is becoming exhausted, the
problem of fertiIizing-how to obtain
the most economical and efficient ma
nure for all soils and crops-is one of
great importance to every agriculturist.
Experience has demonstrated that
stable manure, properly cOmposted and
cared for, is the very best general fer
tilizer that can be used. But the bulk
and the expense of transportation-if
it could be bought-must confine its
use to the supply that can be produced
at home, or obtained very near. With
system and care this supply can be
largely increased by gathering, at the
proper season, everything of valuable
composed, and storing it in convent
be made auxiliary by being kept in
stables, yards and pens, and the ground
floors of which should be kept covered
with vegetable litter. AS often as this
litter becomes soiled it should be re-
moved and placed in pile (under cover
is best), and fresh litters spread on the
floor. The liquid being rich in ammo
mia, it is important that care should be
taken to have it all absorbed and pre-
served with the litter which furnishes
the carboniferous element. There is
some art and skill required in order to
generate, combine and preserve the
most valuable elements in stable ma
nure. The raw pile will not ferment
during freezing weather. But IN the
early spring it should be removed to a
suitable place to form into pile about
four feet high to ferment. This pile
should be covered with a layer of rich
earth, or what is better, if to be had,
ground plaster of Paris, to absorb the
gases, ammonia, nitrogen and carbOnlc
acid, as they are generated during fer
mentation. One ton of properly COM
posted and well cured manure is worth
several tons of such as has been allowed
] to evapOrate its gases and leech away
its alkaline salts and phOsphates.
While guanO and the manipulated
fertilizers furnish only a pOrtion-and
mainly the stimulating elements, well
compOsted stable manure contains AL
elements of vegetable growth. When
the manure pile is too small to fertilize
literally the projected crop, what it
lacks in size can be made up in strength,
by the addition of the alkaline salts OF
ammonia, potash, soda, etc, with good
bone and plaster of Paris. These ma
terals when combined in due proper
ton form an artificial guanO destitute
of the carbOniferous element; and if
this compound of guanO alone is APP
piled to worn out soil, where the car
bonifer0us or vegetable matter has be-
come exhausted, the plant cannot
perfect its growth and fruit, although
its early life may have the appearance
of great vigor.
When stable manure Is scarce, or not
to be had, very good substitute may be
made with dry muck, or any fine veg
etable compost or mould, by the addi-
ton in due proportion of the above
mentioned material, or genuine guanO,
and properly Incorporating them with
it. Lime and ashes are most valuable
on sandy soil, but should be applied
separate, and never mixed with stable
manure or fertilizers, as they liberate
and vOlatilize the gases, ammonia,
etc.
Those who have plenty of money and
little inclination to learn the treason
why" in their profession, will always
be good customers for manipulated fer
tiliZcrs; but those who would thrive
and leave their farms more productive
at the end of life than they were at the
beginning, will study the science and
practice the art of agriculture, and eX-
pertinent in manipulating their own
fertilizers at HON I'll. w. RIsLEY.