Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-10-22
Ffarm ann 1ousrboln.
Swamp Muck.
IFS NALUE-ToR WHITE sous-How TO BE
APPIEp.

lts NALt E-lOk NHiIE sOIls-HOw TO BIZ
APplIEp.
II the farmer had barn, pen and ward
manure enough no other would oe needed.
In this are all the elements of plants and
all the properties suited to meliorate the
soil, physically. With this, and a little
lime to quicken its action and TO neutralize
the aeidity of wet sonr soils, he could inn
prove his land 10 almost any extent, and
there would be an end of the manure
question.
II. IN the lack of home manure. he re-
sorts to the portable mercantile manures.
this Is well, so far as mineral ingredients
are considered, but there is deficiency of
organic matter. Manure must be IN large
quantity. as well as Of good quality; there
must be organic matter-anima! or vege-
table, or both, and there must be enough
TO effect the physical condition Of soils
TO render heavy soils light and open-so
that roots can penetrate easily and the air
circulate freely, and TO give light. sandy
soils loamy cast that will enable them 10
retain water.
Hence, the value of swamp muck. II
rightly manipulated and wisely applied, ii
will prove itself of considerable value not
solely as feeder of plants, but mainly as
modider Of soils-making both sandy
and clay soils easier to cultivate and more
productive. and that. too. somewhat per-
manently-more so, at least, than is tue
Of most fertilizers.
All analysts agree that old. black swamp
muck contains just about the same ingre-
dents az the solid excrements OF horned
cattle, when hay or grass fed, except that
the soluble alkalies of the former-potash
and soda and little common salt-have
been washed out. while they remain in the
latter. This shows for swamp muck very
considerable value. since the addition of a
Iire wood ash. very little common salt.
and little lime to neutralize its acidity-
all costing but trIle-lnake it almos,
precisely the equivalent of manure from
under the stable window.
But we appeal from q scientific to q
practical view of the subject. Many sus-
pect The deductions of science. as If true
everywhere else, but false in agriculture !;
while few will doubt the testimony of
sound, practical, successful farmers.
Thousands of such have used swamp muck
freely. and, though costing something for
labor aud for desirable additions. they
have found it to pay better than any fer
tilizers they have purchased We know
many who testify 10 this effect. and we be-
Heve their testimony is reliable, as il
agrees strictly with the scientific views on
the subject.
As TO the soils TO which il is adapted !:
OF course need not be applied to low.
swampy land. These already contain
enouhg OF it, and to add more would be
like carrying coal TO New castle. By the
way, on the sandy lands OF New Jersey
strawberries are grown more by the aid Of
swamp muck. wherever it can be had
than of all other fe rtilizers. and are such
in quality as cannot be beaten.
Next: on turf land, and on land fire.
quently alternated with grass, and conse-
quently well supplied with orgxnic matter,
swamp muck cannot be expected to be as
immediately useful as on worn soils, where
the organic matter is deficient. On all
uplands-sandy, loamy or clay-it is sure
to report itself favorabiy 10 the crops. and,
besides, 10 effect a permanent improve
ment of soils having too much sand or too
much clay.
For gardening, farmi ng and nursery
purposes-to all of which it is well suited,
better, perhaps, TO the nursery than to the
others-it should, if possible, be dug the
year previous to its use, as early as August
or September. and in q dry time. II
thrown into high piles, the water will be
drained out. and it win not again be satu-
rated. and will be lighter to remove. As
much as can be used, Us an absorbent of
the liquid excrements of the animals,
should be carried to the stalls, folds. yards
and pens in as dry state as possible, to
be used for that purpose. The salts in the
liquid excrements viii supply just what
the muck wants to make il as good as the
manure heaps; and in this C ase no addi-
ton of potash, lime and salt will be re-
qr,ired. ItIt
But if not brought to the barn and mixed
with the barn manure by the feet of ami
mails. it is well to mix with it one bushel
OF woodash. one bushel of lime, and half
a bushel of some cheap agricultural salt to
each cart load. That win make II as good
as the average Of barn manure for corn.
grass, potatoes, or almost any other crop.
For. corn, it is excellent; for potatoes,
nothing is better; it will insure good