Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-02-01
LIST, because no soil exists which docs

to those soils in which it exists nat,l-
rally in small quantity and, 81, be-
cause it is found that a small applica-
ton, such M would suffice for the want
of the crops, is not sufficient to pro-
duce its best effects.
1t is familiar fact that the quantity
of lime applied to the soil for agricultur-
al purposes is very large, as much as ten
and even twenty tons to the acre having
been used, whilst the smallest application
is exceedingly large when compared
with the mere requirements of the
crops. OF late years the very large up.
plications once in use have become less
common, rs it has been found
preferable to employ smaller doses
more frequently repeated. The guam
tity used depends, however, to
great extent, on the nature and con-
dition of the soil, heavy clays, especi-
ally if undrained, and soils of a peaty
nature, requiring large application ;
while ON we'll drained and light soils a
similar quantity suffices. Thin soils
also require only a small application.
The geological origin Of the soil is not
without it's influence, and its beneficial
effect is peculiarly seen on granite,
porphyry, and gneiss soils, both be-
cause these are naturally deficient in
lime and because the decompositions
by which their valuable constituents
are liberated take place with extreme
slowness.
Deterioration Of Wheat. ~
The report of the Department of A.
nculture for November. and December
considers, at considerable length, the
causes OF the deterioration in the yield
and quality OF wheat. It is curious
and no less remarkable fact, says the
report, that, in the midst of the use of
highly improved implements, guided
by experienced hands and superior
knowledge of the science of agriculture,
the production of wheat has gradually
and certainly diminished in quantity in
all the wheat-growing states. The con-
olusion is reached that the cause of this
failure is to be found in the farmers
want of skill.
An experiment made by the Commits
sioner convinces him to say that the
failure of the wheat crop ia accustomed,
in great measure, by the improper
use of barn yard manure. Wheat is q
delicate plant, both in it's organic
structure and the food it consumes, and
yet we apply, in aid of it's termination
and growth, the gross, rax product of
the barn.yard. filed with embyros of
worms, bugs, midges and beetles, Civ
ing nauseous dose to the first germ of
the wheat, and furnishing an unfit food
throughout the whole life Of the plant.
Add to this the vermin which the con-
tents of the barn-yard have brought
upon the held, and then We may nc.
count for the nudge, Hessian fly, mil
dew, rust, and all other evils which we
have been accustomed to deplore when
harvest comes.:
I trust I may not be unders TODD as
depreciating the use of barn-yard
manure; 80 far from, this, I am con-
vinced that human skill has never been
able to concoct q combination of plant
food SO excellent as that which comes
from the stable, when properly used.
But tho proper use of it is upon corn
ground. After the grass has been cut
and made into hay tho second year,
and when the tap-roots of the clover
have attained the size which makes
valuable as renovaters of the soil, let
the grass grow up for a few weeks;
then haul all available barn-yard
manure upon it, and scatter it over the
ground; and as late in the fall a. the
season will allow pillow it under deeply.
Corn is voracious plant, and will con-
sumo any food, however gross. Its roots
are all-reaching and far-reaching
they will find the manure readily, and
the crop will tell the story of it's value.
When corn is taken of, and during the
next winter, let the corn stubble DO
broken close to the ground, raked of,
and burned. or, what is better, hauled
to the barn.yard, and in the spring, a.
soon as tho ground is dry enough, to
harrow with q sharp and heavy harrow,
until the surface is smooth; SOW oats
without blowing, and roll after sowing.
The manure is yet undisturbed, and
not likely to make the oats 30 rank ~
to cause them to lodge. Oats will grow
better and be more productive without
blowing than with it. Az soon as the
oats are of, let the stubble be plowed
in as deeply as possible, by which the
manure, covered before compliant
ing, will be thrown, to the top, and
the scattered oats will have an
opportunity to vegetate; then stir the
ground again with the pillow, thus de-
stroying the growing oats, and thorough
~ mixing the earth and upturned ma
nure, which, by the lapse of time, has
undergone q thorough decomposition
and combined, with the earth, and in
this way has been made . food proper
~ prepared for the wheat plant. The
earth through it's influence has been
assi1hilated to the humus which was
originally 80 productive of wheat. If
the land under this treatment. tends to
become too mellow, let timothy be
sown in the fall with the wheat, at the
rate of one bushel per acre, and clover
IN the spring ct the rate Of l bus. upon
five acres. If no timothy be sown in
the fall, the wheat will be greatly ben
Gifted by narrowing it. with sharp
harrow in the spring. No fear need be
entertained Of injuring the roots, and
the ground will be freshened and well
prepared for receiving the clover seed.
When it is sown, q roller passed over
the ground will fix the clover seed for
Immediate termination. and level the
surface for the reaper and mower.
Care in the selection of seed wheat is
OF tho very first Importance. Discard
all idea Of mixing ingredients with il.
to destroy smut, rust, mildew, or any
thing else; for, beyond the mere oper-
alton OF washing or the manure they
may furnish, it is questionable whether
they produce any good effect
The AppOrtionment.
The House apportionment bill re
ported by the Senate Judiciary Com
mittea proYiiles that IN md ohio. Ah q