Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-08-22

That blowing under green crops lie one Of
the cheapest and easiest methods Of manur-
ing land is admitted by oil farmers, but the
difficulty is that they imagine thoy make
sacrifice of q clover crop simply to grow an
other of less value. II they will make a
careful comparison of the expense OF materl-
al and labor required for mRnuring with that
from the barnyard and that from the grass
crop the advantage is largely in favor OF
green manuring. To properly manure an
acre of land not less than 81 horse-wngon
loads are required for each inch thickness Of
material placed upon the land and in esti-
mating its value there must be considered
the cost of the manure itself, the labor of
the driver and horses aud the time expended
in going from the barnvard to the field (ot
course, the greater the distance the longer
the time) the loading Of the wagon and the
spreading Of the manure after 1t reaches the
field These items Of expense are naturally
expected and are necessary but though the
practice is common, few farmers are willing to
derive the same results expected from the ma
nure by the apparent sacrifice of grass crop.
They content themselves with the fact that
they frequently turn under o sod, which is
equivalent in their opinion. to green manur
ing.
Flowing under q crop, however is diiior
ent matter from turning over sod. sod
leaves mellow fine soil, which is always de
sirablc, but a crop not only carries with it all
that may be derived from turning under the
sod, but lightens the soil, and adds double
the amount of fertilizing matter as compar-
ed with that carried under with the sod. An
other point to be observed is that sod land it
never plowed until the crop has matured-
that is borne seed, and taken everything
from the soil required by the leaves, stems
and roots. When green manurial crops are
plowed under, however, the maturity of the
crop is not necessary, and hence the land il
not deprived of those substances which en-
ter into tho composition of the seeds, and
which nre more exhaustng than any other
portion of the crop. If, however, crop IL
desired, the grass may be cut as soon as il
flowers and the second crop mny be allowed
to grow up for manure The consequence
will be that expense is saved in hauling, load
ing ana material but, what is more import.
ant, there will be saving of labor in de
stroying weeds. which is equally as arduous
az transporting the manure. The grass crop
eiIectually clears the land Of all other iutru
ders.
Green manurial crops are not confined tC
| grass alone. Even the weeds may be utilized
provided they are not allowed to seed before
being plowed under, and by sowing lime ovei
the land after each blowing there will be IL
! acidity Of the soil, while the rotting process
will be performed more speedily and the ben
| eft increased. 1t may be inquired in wha
manner the grass makes the soil more fertile
! by merely restoring the elements it receive
! from the soil. The grass, while deriving nour
/ ishment, first operates OIL the insoluble min
eral substances and returns them to the sol
in an available condition along with othe
fertilizing material appropriated from tn
rains and atmosphere. Green manuring no
only increases the fertility of the soil, but re
duces it to o mechanical condition far SUPER
or to that effected by implements and it i
safe TO assert that during the period o
| growth the shading Of the soil adds largel
to the advantages secured by the land fror
the growth Of the manurial crops. -Plilo
] C,613Ltg H,r1yJ