The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-30

member replied that there could be no
doubt that such use Of manurc will bring
good results he had top dressed wheat
thus it protected the plants from the Sc
verify of the winter and nourished them
in the spring when growth begins again.
If the manure IS lumpy some pains
should be taken TO spread ID evenly, for il
will do more good While the ground is
frozen it is easy TO go on the field with
loaded wagon, so / would advise that
the work be done at once. IF the ground
should thaw out soon the soakage from
the manure win go at once to the support
Of the rye.
Another member said he had never APP
piled manure at this season Of the year,
but no intended to spread barnyard ma
nurc on a piece Of late sewed wheat as
soon as the work can be reached. There
can be no doubt that the effect viii be good
President Hofman-These opinions
coincide with mine / advise in the case
Of the rye field to top dress 1t at once.
Even straw would be good--the poorest
kind Of straw, buckwheat, viii afford pro-
lection at least. am not sure that the
benefit to be derived from protection is
less than that which is certain in the en-
riching Of the land it Is certainly enough
to justify the labor Of applying it if the
straw is ON hand.
The good effect Of straw spread on
wheat or grass is mainly mechanical. In
winter it shields the plants from the
keen winds and aids in holding the snow
protection. With wheat the extreme
freezing and sudden thawing disturb the
roots and are thereby the causes of much
injury. A coating Of snow is good because
it protects the plants against severe freez-
ing. A coating Of manure or straw is
good because it has the same effect. Straw
is doubtless Of some use as a fertilizer, but
not until after its decay.
The subject came up of the effects on
the crop of burning grass and rye, and in
stances Of cases of the kind were presented.
The President said that 1--WE have all of
US seen meadows lightly burned over with
out any injurious results, certainly without
destroying the vitality of the plants. But
while meadows may endure without injury
a considerable degree of heat I should
hesitate to try any very extensive burning
on wheat. A light covering of straw would
not make heat enough while burning of
to hurt the wheat but the burning would
rob it of valuable protection. have
often stated here that the best use Of straw
after enough is saved for litter in the
stables, is to spread over the meadows and
wheat fields. I have tried it with notice
able results. l hope others who have it to
spare viii spread it on their fields soou-it
cannot be done too soon.n
A member of the Binghampton New
York; club was present, and remarked
that what has been said about applying
manure to wheat fields in the beginning
Of winter is Of interest to me. have not
tried the plan but l shall. 1t has often
occurred to me that it would be good treat
ment so can hardly say why have not
tried 1t before. 1t is proof of the prac-
tical utility of these meetings that such
ideas are given enough force to create &C
eAon oiA shS pahb vi tuOSc WIN nave Decn
eontented with mere thinking. came in
during the discussion and have not heard
whether your members have practiced on
this plan, but | dare say they have.
| President Hoffman They have and
with good results.
The visitor said, have noticed that
| places on wheat fields where the snow has
been blown off usually give but light crops
if they give any at all. 1t is because the
protection has gone. Now if straw moi
only holds the snow but serves as pro.
lection itself, it is easy to see that such
use of it must be attended with profit.
shall try it as web as top dressing with
manure
| President Hoffman-Did you ever pas
ture wheat off closely in the fall1
i Col. Crocker-Never wheat to any greai
extent, but l have pastured rye, which il
harder. had one season field sowet
very early so the top grew very rank, ant
about this time l pastured it close to tn,
ground. No hurt came to the crop. Ii
fact | never had better .--Balimor
American.