Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-03-18
FARMERS Gnluln1r.
Application of Manures


Application of Manures.
Manure, being the foundation of a
farmers business, deserves more atten-
ton than anything else on the farm.
Experience has taught nearly all far
mers that the soil gives greater re-
ward when we'll MANFRED than other
wise, and most of them are satisfied
with the mere performance Of spread
ing itout IS well as acting on the prin-
ciple that "the quicker the job is over
the better;;" but it is mistake to sup
pose that the duty Of collecting and
distributing manure is all that is ne
cessary. There are substances COM
posing fertilizers that are insoluble,
and these are inert for want of being
made available, As no plant can take
upfrom the soil those inactiseportions
The soluble substances only are used,
and to derive the greatest benefit from
manure, it should, therefore, be we'll
rotted and fine and have been kept in
good condition. Ammonia, phosphor-
ic acid and potash are the prime sub
stances of the manure heap. The first
is very volatile, and escapes unless
combined with some other substances
such as sulphuric, nitric, or muris.
tic acid, or, perhaps with vegetable
acids. Even then, if exposed it will
decompose and vanish. Phosphoric
acid (be;ng itself, as Its name implies,
an acid) always remains combined
and when set free from its combina-
tons. by sulphuric or other strong a.
cids, again forms new compounds
Potash also is always combined with
the acids, never existing in an uncom.
bined state in the manure heap. Az
it is necessary to notice these particu-
lar portions of the,accumulated man
ure It requites notice alss Of the I,ro-
per periods of application.
On heavy clay soils it will show bet
ter results to spread the manure broad
cast in the fall, first blowing the land
and lightly narrowing it over. The
compact subsoil prevents loss from
rain and snow. Being on top, the
frosts quickly pulverize it, and as fast
as it decomposes the soil absorbs and
retains it. But on light, sandy, por-
Gus soils it should be treated different
ly, for when it is broadcasted in the
fall on such soils much loss is occa-
stoned by the soluble substances being
carried far down below the reach of
the roots Of the plant. If there il no
clay subsoil underneath We will lose
the potash to certain extent, as it is
very soluble, particularly the sulphate
and muriate..
Experiments the past year have de-
monstrated that in some portions of
New jersey where the soil is very
light, manure applied at frequent in
tervals gives more return than BY any
other mode. If corn is MANFRED in
the hill at the time of planting and
the process repealed monthly thereaf-
ter the crop viii be % percent. larger
without using p greater quantity Of
manure than is intended for single
application. There are some crops,
however, that do not thrive Is we'll
with such treatment, but they are few.
Chemical fertilizers should always
be applied at regular periods, as they
are used for fhe-reasen ti1at they are
instantly soluble. The FIRST rain that
comes on them carries off all that is
not immediately taken mp BY the plant
butif tbey-are applied in small qasn-
titles at time after every rain they
will give such results as will surprise
those who have never triedsuch . plan.
It is true, more expense is incurred,
bnt the crop will repay it when har-
vested. .aE IE8sl48
An experiment Of this kind teaches
us lesson, for it is only by testing
theories that we can be convinced Of
the practicability of them. It shows
that, to a certain extent, plants should
have regular meals ION some soils) ra-
therthan to be supplied once only
It is maintained By many tbat-if the
manure is once applied-the plant
will feed itself at proper times, which
is true; but oar object hereis rather
to show the most economical method
of application. for no on. Can deny
that4much manure on farms, goes to
waste when improperly applied. A
thorough examination of the compost.
ed manure should b made in order to
Judge if it il thoroughly decomposed,
and if so, it requires extra careto re-
tain the volatile ammonia and soluble
potash. The slightest change of tenn
perature may change the whole char
acter of the compost, and heavy rain
may render it perfectly worthless.
If it is thus important to watch the
compost heap in order to avoid loss,
it is far more necessary to apply chem
icals st proper periods, Is, With them,
system is everything. They are cheap
er than ordinary manure, though SEEM
ingly of higher cost, the trouble with