The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-08-21
AGRICULTURAL.

THE APPLICATION OF MANrRE-Thc ques-
ton of providing, applying, and treating
manure is one of vital Importance to all pro-
gressive farmers, in all parts of our land
where the soil has been long under cultiva-
ton. Cn the question-when should ma
nure be applied-when first made, or after
decomposition? practical men differ, one
thinking that the sooner it is applied after
clearing from the stable, green and fresh,
the better while others claim advantage in
decomposng first, and then applying. Who
shall decide where practical farmers disagree?
NY own opinion would be governed some
what by the object in its application, soil,
etc. Where the object is to manure the crop,
great advantage is derived from applying
well fermented, fine manure over green,
fresh manure this on sandy loan and sandy
land, where the larger part of my experience
has been. Still have observed others prac-
tice on stony, hard soil, and have found the
best crops of corn, grain, grass, and other
arabic products where the manure was pre-
pared and decomposed under cover, or well
compostcd with absorbents, to prevent eyap-
Grafton and loss, and oil fcrmented. | be-
lieve that manure Is materially benefited by
fermentation, when done properly, although
it may cost labor; without labor we have
very little worth having. In the process of
fermentation outside clements are incorpo-
rated, and, instead of losing, the manure
gains in value for present effect. Fine,
weli-decompOsed manure, applied to grass,
protects the roots, acts at once, just as we
desire, and there is no long or coarse matter
to interfere at any time afterwards Just
so with any other crop. The young, germi-
mating seed or plant feels its influence at
once-a push which it feels till culture :;
and with all hoed crops this early vigorous
start Is what is needed in our northern eli
mate, in order to insure maturity before
early fall frosts.
In applying manure there is also q differ
cnce III practice with cultiyators in different
localities. My own experience teaches me
that (while manure should be incorporated
IN the soil when applied to ploughed ground)
the nearer the sGriace it is retained the
greater the advantage to be derived from its
application, and that compostcd manure is
quite as effective as that not so compUSted
Some may believe that it saves labor to conn
post the manure in the soil, and let the de-
composition take place there, and that every
benefit Is then gained which would accrue
III first composing and then applying. |
never saw 1t 50; and, reasoning from ana!opy.
cannot satisfy my own mind that it can be
thus. In the first place, the Fermentation.
II any, cannot be as complete (tle manure
and soil being in such unequal proportionS)
as Is the case in composing, where the
Whole Is IN more concentrated mass The
decompCsed manure and compost torether
supply Immediate nutrimcnt to plants.
which Is not the case with green or recent
manure; the latter must lie for Il long time
before the plant food can be elaborated and
brought to the condition when the young
and tender plants can absorb it into their
composition and growth. The value of COM
post manure depends largely upon the
quality OF the materials of which it is COM
posed, as does that OF animal excrements
upon tic quality Of food consumed by the
animal.