Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-23
lIanMrinq u. Uinler.

The almost universal practice among
New ENGLAND farmers has been TO draw
out their manure frcm the barnyard upon
the land 10 spring. Tho occasional except
lon might be the removal Of the summer
accumulatious in the fall as 9 matter Of
convenience to DO piled in large heap in
some central place, or perhaps mixed with
q corresponding pile Of muck.
As q matter of course, where cattle are
pa,turod through The summer the additions
10 the manure heap are comparatively
snail mainly from the night wording, and
therefore from iaci, OF material or de-
TERED ty the depth Of snow the farmer
wait, TIL, spring. When uo protection Is
civtr 20 manure in barnvard and IS 1t Is
thrown from the barn II is mixed with sue
ccSsive LAYERS o. ice and snow becomes 4
solid frozen mass. I'm such a state it does
not UNDERGO any change either for the
better or worse, but with the coming Of
spring it IS exposed to new atmospheric
conditions. Thus il happens that while
the farmer Is quarrying cut blocks OF
half frozen manure with extra labor he
is also almcs, ovorpowercd with the am
mluiacll oior> that are wasting hls SUBJ
stance on the air. Add to this the fact
tina, this severe aud exhaus,ing labor Of
removal 70 man anu beast both comes at
a time when they are least able TO bear it,
and when vegetation and termination adj
yanse 80 rapidly that both are often him
icrcl hy Tie long drawn out job, and no
further considerations are needed to prove
that Il j.; can be avoided, this heavy work
should not be imposed upon the ussal bur-
dens Of spring,
The thoroughly deconpoSed aud finely
rulyerized vegetable matter which may be
found In the cellar or yard Of a well-or-
gained barn in early winter, Is then in Its
best condition II gains nothing by longer
keeping, and therefore there Is no reason
why It should not at once begin It's work
of Improvement and be placed where it
viii 90 the most good. II Is therefore
only necessary TO see that the soil is in q
proper state for It's reception, to decide 4,
once upon winter manuying. When gar
deus have been ploved in the fall, or fields
prepared for corn. such old and well rot
ted manure may be advan;ageously ap-
piled TO the surface, or later still spread
upon the snow which covers them.
Coarse, strawy, freshly made manure
Is not suitable Tor such soils but may be
profitable to the grass field and pasture
or the smaller fruits OF the garden. In
the latter case it Is especially adapted to
the strawberry bed, serving alike for dreS-
sing and mulching, protecting the vines
through the winter, and when raked off in
the spring enriching the soil and keeping
the Iipening berries from contact with the
earth.
In the exercise Of proper discretion
therefore, different kinds aud qualities Of
barn-manure may be applied pToftably to
the several parts OF farm during the
winter season. It is also vastly better
for the health Of animals, and for all kinds
Of food kept in and about earns, that ac-
foundations of manure should be removed
as early as Is possible. When quantities
of muck, soil, or other absorbents are
hauled into cellars and swine are used 10
effect proper intermixture It can be re-
tanned with more safety. 1t may be said
in general, however, that the proper place
for barn manure q: all seasons of the year,
Is upon the surface of the soil, or just un-
der the furrOw.