Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-26

the soil; it is a guard against drouth, and
preventive against flooding; it in
duces plants to strike root deeper in
search of food. Land that is saturated
by cold stagnant water half the growing
season is unfit for any cultivated crop,
and many of the forage plants. Manure
applied to such lands is halt wasted,
whether applied on the surface or deeper.
II will we'll repay anyone to visit the
grounds of John Strattard, Esq, of Mon
roe. and note the effect OF draining.
Saws Mr.. Strattard: ''If l can have but
one. give me thorough draining, before
manure" But | pass on to closer
consideration of the topic under discus
sion. and merely introduced the benefits
of understanding to your notice that we
NAV realize that we are literally wasting
large percentage OF our manure by APP
plying to land that is in no condition to
respond readily to its full capability.
The elements of manures act upon plants
only in state of solution, hence it is of
the greatest importance that they be SO
applied, and that the soil be so prepared
that they may readily be dissolved by the
rain and circulate freely through the soil,
which, acting as filter, allows the water
to escape, while it holds these elements
for the use of plant growth. Manures APP
piled to undrained land are readily dis
solved by the rain, but are left floating
upon the surface, and thus often pass
away by evaporation, or in the surface
drainage of heavy rains, the saturated
subsoil not allowing them to sink to the
roots of the plants where they can be of
use to the growing crop.
Mr.. Bright,a noted English farmer, and
also standard authority, says: 1.-The
practice of surface manuring has long
been practiced by all intelligent gardeners
within the circle of my acquaintance. We
have long ago learned that masses of rich
heterogeneous manures are not what plants
require about their roots, but that manures
are applied much more successfully (and
less injuriously) by top-dressing, either in
solid or liquid form. Nature never ma
nures her plants with crude masses of con-
centrated fertilizing substances, but i'm
parts her stimulating and mineral food in
a state of most minute division-almost
nfinitesimal-chiefly from the surface of
the earth. Manure, then, l say, chiefly
upon the surface. Do not waste your
manures by mixing them deeply with the
soil. Plant shallow. Keep all roots O
trees, plants and vines as near the sur
face as possible. Let your soil be deel
and dry, but plant as near the surface al
possible. Top-dress your grass, afte
moving in July and August, under ;
burning summer SUM- top-dress in the fall
before and during the autumn rains
manure the surface while the snow is Oh
the ground, while the March winds blow
and the April rains fall. Manure you
grass instead of your corn and wheat
broadcast. at any time you have manure
and leisure, and will guarantee that yor
will be abundantly satisfied with the re-
suit
Such, gentlemen, is his testimony; but
will not take up time further, but will
conclude by stating again my position re-
garding application Of manures, lest be
misunderstood. Put all fertilizers as near
the surface as possible, and yet have them
covered. Intermix them as thoroughly
as possible with the top soil. Apply all
you have and can get; and apply not in
homeopathic doses, but in generous guam
titles.