Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-02-18

FERTILIZERS AND BRAINS The increas-
ing use of fertilizers is II sign of a more
educated farming. When we see farmer
increasing his purchase of fertilizer year
after year, we recognize progress. When
we see failure of crop through the in
Auences of an unfavorabe season, and no
blame attached by the farmer to the
fertilizer, then indeed we begin to recog
nze II progress which we are often
disposed to believe has been confined to
the arts and sciences, and to the trades
and commerce. But we more often see
fertilizer bought and used by men consid-
cred intelligent, when it seems to us to be
the register of folly. Yet fertilizer is
plant food; it is capable of producing
crops; it renders possible an advanced
and profitable agriculture; it makes the
farm independent. Man can use the power
of his mind to produce good results or
bad results; he can 60 against the teach
ings of nature and art, or he can conform
to the truths gained from experience; he
can act wisely or foolishly, as he chooses.
The fertilizer, and the man to direct,
means power over unaided nature, union
which is capable of bringing prosperity to
the farmer, as he brings fertility to his
fields. The error consists in considering
the fertilizer without reference TO the man
Because certain fertilizer is good for one
farmer to use largely, it does not follow
that his neighbor Can also use largely,
hoping for the same profit. There is,
indeed, personal education in the matter,
and there is about as much in the man as
in the material.
Farm yard manure has been now used
for so many centuries that farmers have
become ducated in a manner to its use.
They have become so sure of its benefits,
that even if crop fails, they look to some
other cause than the manure. They have
learned, on the average, in practical
way, how to apply it, and what to expect
from it. With fertilizer, however, it is
different. 1t has not been sufficiently long
in use to have convinced the average
public of its certainty and its power. Then
its small bulk is against it. The farmer,
educated to calculate fertilizng property
by loads, is unaccustomed to calculate
equal potency in bags; he has not as yet
learned through experience and trial how
to apply under varying conditions of crop,
and character of fertilizer. Dung is dung,
in his eyes, and fertilizer is fertilizer; but
different kinds of fertilizer vary far more
between themselves. in the best manner
of application, than dung. Thus, using
for an illustration the common article OF
bran. When spread upon the surface Of
II grass field it seems often of no efficacy
whatever; but when put under ground to
fertilize the potato crop,it has often proved
very serviceable. Dried blood, placed on
the surface of field in a dry season
seems of little value in producing crops
but when placed under ground, where it i:
kept moist. decomposition occurs and its
good effects are at once recognized.
The value of science and education to
the farmer is, in this cast of fertilizers
quite apparent. The knowing what the
crops require, and what the fertilizer fur
nishes, and the reasoning upon how 10
apply in order to secure the most profitable
results, is of vast importance when we
leave the conditions of virgin land to act
upon land despoiled in the past, and under
conditions of competition in the present.
1t is this knowledge which is to be of
service to the farmer, and it is the partial
recognition of this fact which has led to
the interest in fertilizer talk"so apparent
Of late at eur farmers meeting.-L. e.
Sturterant, IN Land and Home.