The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-09-05

Mr.. John Moores as the other members, was in
favor of top-dressng. He endeavors to top-dress
corn land one year ahead, which he knew will bring
more corn than to apply it two years ahead. Gen
orally uses tho manure as made from the stables
The rough manure he allows to remain in the barn
from top-dressing in July and August. One load
top-dressed he considered equal to two plowed in.
1t should be spread thnly and made to 20 as far ms
possible. Mr.. Moores also top-dresses grass with
straw with decided advantage. Last year he spread
some straw thinly on poor piece of wheat, and
was satisfied 1t increased the yield. In spreading
manure in the summer plaster should he sowcd on
it. Also sows plaster on the manure in his barn
yard. Bone acts more promptly where the land
has been manured
Mr.. Johns IL. Janney agreed with othermombers
IN regard to the value of top-dressing. Never tried
blowing manure under, except for potatoes. Being
root crop he thought that was the better way for
| them. He top-dressed one-half of a field two
years ago and the remainder last year. Better re-
suits were obtained from the latter. On the first
named portion all the briars Were killed out. lie
also top-dressed with straw with marked effect
He used it 80 thick that he feared the grass would
be choked out, but it came through the straw, and
the grass is twice rs thick there as anywhere else
He finds that cattle do not eat the grass readily
where 1t has been top-dressed with manure.
Major "A. NJ. Hancock said that last fall he plow-
ed strip Of land and top-dressed it heavily. 1t
remained all winter. This spring he plowcd it up
and planted 1t in peanuts. He has now the finest
crop in the county and thought the agricultural
society directors had been reniss in not Offering
| premium for this interesting tuber. His practice
has been to haul out manure as soon as it is made,
and to haul il out Just before the ground becomes
covered with snow as good time as can he chosen
For vegetables he pows as soon the crop taken
or and top-drcsses, sowing plaster on the manure.
| Markell benefit is derived from this PLAN
| Mr.. w. ID. Ice also top-drcsses, putting out
| manure whenever he has time. Has never seen
grass fail to take when the land is top-drcsscd in
the fall for wheat. Had no difficulty in turning
| under straw with an Oliver Chilled pillow.
| Mr.. Jnmes Ice always hauIs out manure from
the stables and barn yard fast as it accumulateS,
top-dressing grass with it. Spreads it one year
| ahead for corn, when he can. Has seen as much
bcnelt from spreading straw in the fall and spring,
us from manure.
put ON until January for the next corn crop, but
did not think ii would pay so well after that time.
| Mr.. Lee Thought the straw should not be put on
too thick ana had no difficulty in blowing the
ground the following spring.
Mr. webster remarked that if put on wheat too
| thckly il would smother it, and mentioned a case
where this result had occurred.
| As to the quantity of straw which should he
spread on an acre, Mr. MooreS thought the straw
from one acre of wheat, where 25 bushels had been
raised, would be enough to spread on two acres
more thickly than that. The advantage of spread
| ing straw is that it keeps the wheat from being
| thrown out, ensures better set of grass and
| lightcnS heavy clay soil.
| Mr.. Il. ii. Barnes said that one year AFRO, in
| August, he commenced hauling out manure on sod
| for corn, and continued to haul it ont until the
ground was plnwCh. He could see no difference
in the corn in any part of the field. He preferred
| top-'lrcsSing 10 any other mode Of applying
| manure.
Mr. VIM. +. Hays believed in top-,lrcssinr, hut
was not certain that II was the hest plan To haul it
out in August Has been in the practice of hauling
| out us fast ms the manure is made during the win
| ter, but put some out in May with better results
| than from that spread in the winter. He believed
| as good grass could he made from straw as from
manure. lie also believed it would pay to sow
bone dust on grass
Adjourned To meet at Mr. James H. Balls. on
Saturday, September 21th 1879.