Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-04-17

growing corn but in however good condition
II may be by surface manuriDg, we find it
necessary to put quantity iu the hill to
oeive the benefit Of that otherwise applied. |
thought that il superphosphate put in the
hill for corn or for potatoes would produce
as good effects as rotted farmyard manure,
II would do to use it for this purpose, aud
employ the manure as a top-dressing for
grass lands.
In 1856 first used Bradley's X. l.. su-
perphosphate Of lime in the hill for corn,
along with hog and rotted COW manure and
the Lodi Companys Poudrette, in order to
satisfy myself Of its value in comparison with
those fertilizers
The ground for this purpose was otherwise
treated alike by surface manuring, cultiva-
tion, &C., and the following results we're
produced
Baskets
Plat No. mo manure in the hill, 24
Plat No. 2-Lodi Co.'S Poudrette, 81
Plat No. 3-Rotted barnyard manure At
Plat No. 4-Hog manure 5
Plat No. 5-Bradley's superphosphate B
The degree Of soundness Of the corn in
creased with the different plats, that with
the superphosphate being the soundest of
all.
have used this fertilizer upon corn more
or less every year since, being satisfied that
it answered this purpose as well, and often
better than barnyard manure, in the bill, be-
sides saving pne-half the labor Of planting.
In 1870 raised good corn on land with
no other fertilizer but this superphosphate.
That was an unusually good corn year how.
ever. In 1872 conducted quite series
of experiments with several different kinds
Of superphosphates in order to satisfy my
self Of their actual and comparative value.
was as exact in these experiments as the
circumstances would allow, weighing the
phosphates and the crops of corn, and
from this prepared a tabulated statement
from which could be seen the value of the
phosphates used per plat and acre, the in-
creased product Of crop and how much was
gained or lost by the use Of these fertilizers.
| was somewhat surprised at the result of
the experiments and have concluded to give
them in this paper, as they may be Of inter-
est to others.
GWe omit the tabular statements which
Mr.. T. here read, as they have already been
given to our readers See FARMER Jan. II,
1871
Most of my tillage land is gravelly
loan and from my experience with super
phosphates would use them with corn in the
hill, manuriug broadcast potatoes, oats,
roots and garden crops
Last year was very poor season for root
crops, but raised considerable quantity
ofSwedes and Ruta Baga turnps that were
Of good size and excellent quality, upon in-
verted greensward that had been in grass
one year with no other fertilizer than Brad
leys X. L. superphosphate in the drills.
To conclude, think that any farmer can
use certain amount of good superphosphate
with profit upon those crops which seem es-
pecially benefited by the application. This
fertilizer does not appear to produce the
same effects upon every mans land, and it is
not alike beneficial to all crops, hence the
necessity Of farmers experimenting with IT
for themselves and they will soon find wheth-
er or no it will pay for them to use it,
Some judgment and care is necessary in
/ lIc uOWONOIt ObuCIWlsC
be attributed to this fertilizer, when in real
ity it is chargeable to the manner Of using it.
On some soils gypsum or plaster produces
good results, on others wood ashes, and where
this is the case these substances make a
cheap fertilizer and should be employed for
this purpose. have heard it suggested
that the farmer who uses special fertilizers
will neglect to economize the manurial sup.
plies of the farm, that it is in fact the lazy
mans manure, requiring as it does so much
less labor in the application.
The farmer who uses superphosphate,
knowing that its properties are so essential
to the crops be applies it to, will have some
idea Of the value of farm manures likewise
aud will not be apt while he uses the one to
neglect the other.
To conclude, would say make all the
manure possible upon the farm by feeding
stock and composing with all sorts of refuse
and waste material having positive enrich.
ing elements in itself, or that is capable oi
absorbing and thus utilizing what would 9th.
erwise in a measure go to waste, take good
care OF and judiciously apply this TO the soil
and then use all the plaster, ashes and su.
perphosphates that you can make pay good
profit on the Investment (if you have money
enough for the purpose). Then look out fol
the results in just such crops as the soil il
capable of returning for generous open-hand
ed treatment, crops that will ill barns, gran
aries aud cellars pay the tax-gatherer, doctor
and minister fill the old pockei-book with
notes crisp and new, cause look of satistac
ton on the face of the farmer, and a smil,
of content on that lof his wife, and prov
that good farming will pay.