The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-02-06
Save the Manure.

1t makes but little difference what
the section OF the country, or the
character of the soil; there are GER
tain general agricultural principles that
are ever the same. Thus, in the soil
richest in fertility there is continued
exhaustion, by constant cropping, the
same as there is in one of less fertility.
In fact, the degree of exhaustion
probably increases in the proportion OF
the increase OF fertility; /. e.. inasmuch
rs much larger vegetable growth is
maintained, where there is great fertil-
lty, there must of necessity be more
material consumed to perfect large
vegetable growth than one of One-half
the size, or else the economy Of nature
must be sadly at fault in some respect.
Then we have here universal principle
that continued cropping without any
return will finally, almost wholly, ex-
haust a soil of its fertility, and thus
render it worthless for farming pur-
poses. Many farmers have been too
regardless of this principle in carrying
on their operations, and because soil
possessed peculiar fatness, have not
considered the effects they were pro-
ducing, but under an apparent belief
that fertility was to hold out Indefinite
ly have awakened to find that cultiva-
ton was producing only medium or
small crops, and this has been occa-
stoned because they did not save and
apply their manures to their soils.
Farming consists in something more
than the cultivation of crops, the tend
ing of tlOcks or herds; for while the Cul-
tlvatlOn OF any crop may, so far as the
labor part is concerned, be carried on
to perfection, the general effect upon a
farm, as whole, may be very disas
trous; for instance, one particular crop
may he made a speciality Of to that de-
gree that other portions OF the farm de-
voted to other crops may be neglected,
SO that on the whole the general man
agement of the farm has proved fail
ure. One great source Of failure in
farming operations is a great neglect
in the saving Of manure, and when that |
term is used it is intended to include |
all substances provided by the farm
possessed of fertilizing properties. 1t is
questionable whether it is advisable for |
any farmer to make extensive eXpendi- |
lures for special commercial fertilizers,
when vast quantities of rich material is |
being lost daily upon his own farm for
the want of little care i'll the saving.
The amount of the most valuable plant
food contained in the contents of privy |
vaults, which is lost, would surprise !
any one if it could be accurately deter
mined. What vast quantities pass Off
in the atmosphere, simply for the want |
of some absorbent at the proper time |
Also, what vast quantities are afforded
by the slops of the house, which are
too often cast ont in a way to be wholly
It is the careful saving OF
these substances and outstanding them
by composing that increase the size
and value of the manure heap, and in
turn adds to the fertility Of the soil,
and so increases the crop and makes
the farmer glad. By composing, any
refuse substances, which are found
about most farms, can be cleansed up,
thus improving the looks Of the same,
as well rs ultimately to add to its fertil-
ity. This subject is one of great inn
pOrtancc, to all farmers, and in conse-
quence OF it's neglect, should be cGntin-
lally rung in their ears until that
which justly belongs to mother earth is
returned to her bosOm.-[Ru
raj Alabamian.