Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-01-14
Union Farmers cub.

Met at Grange Hall, Norway, Jan. I.
Owing to several circumstances the stten-
dance was quite small at this meeting
Question for discussion, lis blowing man.
ure under the best way Of using it2'
Mr.. G.. +. Hammond in opening the
debate aIu ed to the fact that all plants
receive their iood in liquid form, and
consequently moisture is necessary to pro-
duce action. His manner Of applying
had been to spread, and plow four or five
inches deep and mix well with harrow or
cultivator. Had produced the best crops
for series Of years by applying in this
manner in the fall. Should not top dress
as general thing, had known some good
farmers to top dress for time and then
give it up, were not satisfied with the re-
suits
Mr.. Forbes said he was satisfied from
his experience that three cords Of manure
put into the soil and well mixed was
worth as much as FIVE cords spread upon
the top. Had top dressed with farm
manure and found material benefit from
it the first year aud some the second, but
after that 1t showed scarcely any results
Have dressed worn out moving with wood
ashes and received very beneficial results
from it, both red and white clover growing
where none had grown for years, and the
second and third years after spreading
ashes, fair crop Of grass was harvested
Am expecting it to hold good for several
years yet, from having top dressed with
one load Of ashes many years ago, and
noticed the beneficial effects at least six
years. Had obtained good results from
spreading green manure on grass and plow-
ing it under for corn.
Col. SWEET said he should first talk upon
p dressing Had top dressed with six
cords to the acre, and had it double the
crop the first year, the second year 1t fell
off about one-halE Once MANFRED 8
piece of ground highly and plowed it un
der one foot in depth, and believed he
never heard from the manure afterwards.
Thought about four or five inches about
the right depth to cover manure. lie also
spoke Of once top dressing a plat OF grass
with ashes, both leached and unleached,
with very good results, the quantity being
mnch increased, aud the quality materl-
ally improved, both red and white clover
coming in, though he knew not where
they came from, aud holding out to bear
good crops much longer than when dressed
with farm manure.
Mr.. j X. Hammond said We are stu
ated on different soils, which ought to be
encouraged differently. His practice had
been to break up late in the spring, would
like to have four or FIVE inches OF grass
growing at the time, put on manure and
harrow well. This for corn crop. The
next year SOW grain, aud seed to grass.
Mr.. Dutton said he believed We ought
10 put our manure into the TOP of our soil
and work it in. Tie supposed it to be
correct theory that al plants get their
food in liquid form. Came in more to
get information than to impart to others
Mr.. Holmes said he should wish to put
manure on the surface and mix 1t in.
Had sometimes top dressed and obtained
from ton and a half TO two tons per
acre. Said if you want to top dress and
get a good crop you must have some grass
roots to start with, you cannot get some
thing from nothing.
Col SWEET also spoke Of having learned
OF new cart for spreading manure, so
arranged as to pulveriEe and spread even
~ over the surface any desired quantity
two cords or six cords, as you may cho ,sc.
The next meeting of the club will be
at Grange Hall, So. Paris, on Thursday,
Jan. %, at ten O'Clock b. IN. Question,
What is the best method Of renovating
worn out farms ?"