The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-03-02
OUR FARM BUDGET.
A YeII-COnsidered Article on the APP
plicltiOn OF Manures.
Thumps in Pigs-Paralysis-The Culture OF
Small Fruits-Onion Sets-Asparagus-
Notes, Etc.
The Application of sranures.

The Application of SIanures.
Manure, being the foundation of farm
er's business deserves more attention than
anything else on the farm. Experience has
taught nearly all farmers that the soil gives
greater reward when we'll manfred than
otherwise, and most Of them are satisfied
with the mere performances of spreading 1t
out as we'll as acting on the principle that
1.-THE quicker the Job is over the better but
il is a mistake 10 suppose that the duty oil
collecting and distributing manure IS aiI
that is necessary. There are substances
composing fertilizers that are insolable,
and these are inert for want Of being
made available. as no plant can take
ND from the soil these inactive portions.
The soluble substances only are used,
and to derive the greatest benefit from
manure il should. therefore, be well rotted
and fine and have been kept in good oondi-
ton. Ammonia phosphoric acid and pot
ash are the prime substances OF the manure
heap. The frs, is very volatile, ana escapes
unless combined with some other substan-
ces-such as sUlphuric, nitric, muriatic acid
or. perhaps. with vegetable acids. Even
then. if exposed, it will decOmp0se and van
ish. PhosphOric acid (being itself, as its
name implies an acid always remains COM
bined. and VIXEN set free from its combina-
tons by sulphuric or other strong acids
again forms new compounds. Potash also
is ALWAYS combined with the acids. never
existing in an uncombined state in the
manure heap. As ii is necessary TO notice
these particular portions of the accumulated
manure it requires notice alse of the proper
periods of application.
Il.
suits to spread the manure broadcast in the
fall, first ploughingthe land and lightly har-
rowing il over The compact sub-sOl pre-
vents loss from rain and snow. Being on
cop, the frosts quickly pulverize ii, and rs
fast as il decomposes the soil absOrbS and re-
tains IT, But on light, sandy, porous soils it
should be treated differently, for vixen il is
broadcasted in the fall on such soils, much
loss is occasi0ned by the subtle substances
being carried far down below the reach of
the roots of the plant. If there is no clay
Sub-soil underneath, we will lose the potash
to a certain extent, as il is very soluble, par
ticularly the sulphate and muriate.
Experiments the past year have demon
s'rated that Is: some portions of New Jersey,
where the soil is very light, manure applied
at frequent intervals gives more return than
bv any other mode. IL corn is manured IN
the hill at the time of planting and the pro-
cess repeated monthly thereafter the crop
will be 80 per cent larger, without using a
greater quantity of manure than is intended
for single application. There are some
crops however, that do not thrive a. well
with such treatment but they are few.
Chemical fertilizers should always be APP
piled at regular periods. as they are used for
the reason that they are instantly soluble.
The first rain that comes on them carries of
all that is not Immediately taken up by the
plant, but If they are applied in small guam
titles at a time after every rain they will give
such results a. Will surprise those who have
never tried such plan. Ii is true more eX-
.penSe j. incurred. but the crop will repay it
when harvested.
An experimesIt'Of this kind teaches us a
iesson for il i only by testing theories that
we can be convinced OF the praeticability of
them. IL shows that, 10 a certain extent,
plants should have regular meals Ton some
soils) rather thar to be supplied once only.
IL is maintained by many that-if the ma
nure is once apFlied-the plant will feed it
self at proper times, which is true, but our
object here Is rather to show the most eco
nomical method of application, for no one
candeny that much manure on farms goes
10 waste when improperly applied. thor
ough examination of the cOmpOsted manure
should be made in order TO judge If it is
thoroughly deeonposed, and if SO. ii re-
quiTes extra care to retain the volatile am
monia and soluble potash. The slightest
character of the compost, and heavy rain
may render il perfectly worthless.
Ii III is thus important to watch the COM
post heap in order To avoid loss, it is far
more necessary to apply chemicals at proper
periods, a with them system is everything.
They are cheaper than ordinary manure,
though seemingly OF higher cost, the trouble
with them being the imperfect knowledge OF
some farmers of their Proportions FertiI.
izers are now in the market especially forEn-
ulated for separate crops, no two of them
being ahe same. and the consequence IS We
are becoming educated net only to the fact
that plents should be fed regularly" but
also that q plant. like an animal requires
for itself fsOd not relished sy plant differ
ent FROM itself; indeed, we are learning thai
it is incorrect TO treat all crops alike As We
do not give horses the same food We give
hogs, neither does a crop of wheat require
the same food that a crop OF clover needs