The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-03-11

with Bradley's phosphate al0neT" (4)
eff so, how much to the acre2"-were
all overlooked We now say in reply:
~ Having made it dry and fine, as
directed, and mixed the ashes with il
thoroughly, the hen manure may be
applied in the hill, using handful well
scattered and mixed with the soil, on
land having half dressing of stable
manure broadcasted. Or it may be
used alone, for farm crops, broadcasted
and narrowed in at the rate of twenty
barrels to the acre for full dressing,
or ten barrels with a half dressing
of manure. We prefer broadcasting
always, in preference to manure of any
kind in the hill.
(2) Standard commercial fertilizers,
like Bradley's, are of very uniform
composition, as shown by large num-
Der of published analyses. But when
we come to stable manure, there is no
such uniformity. We have drawn in the
same day loads that were dear at twenty
five cents, and loads that were cheap
at $2. But taking fair average manure,
rotted enough to be fine, and not
leached by exposure to the weather,
we should expect to get about the same
results from one barrel of fertilizer as
from two two-horse loads of manure.
In this proportion we should expect
the fertilizer to give not only as good
results the first year, but to hold out as
long as the manure. In other words,
where such loads of manure can be had
delivered and spread for 81 each, we
should think we were doing just as well
to get Bradley's XII at "a barrel. 1t
can be bought for about that, by the
carload, for cash.
6 and 4) Yes, man can farm just
as successfully with fertilizers alone,
if he knows how. But he must have
" the courage of his opinions" and not
try them as the cautious Indian tried
feathers for bed-using one feather
to begin with. This is not saying that
it is best for the ordinary farmer to
farm on fertilizers alone, except occa-
sionally to produce a crop of fodder,
or grain, to make manure from. On
run down farms this is often the quick
est way to bring them up. Large crops
of corn, corn fodder, oats and potatoes,
or other roots, can easily be grown on
1;,rht soils with forti lizarc anI if
the fertilizers are used literally the
land can afterwards be seeded to clover
or mixed grasses with success. But
don't think to succeed with S. worth of
fertilizers where you know you should
use 1875 worth of manure. Where it is
proposed to seed down on fertilizers
alone, use half phosphate and half
ground bone and ashes, rather than all
phosphate.
MR.. wIIEELER's LETTER.
We printed this letter without read
ing it, being hurried, and knowing that
it would be interesting. But Mr..
Wheeler knows, by private correspond
ence, that we do not agree with his
theory that trees absorb water directly
from the atmosphere. Nor, while a
little water may possibly be generatedin
the tree by chemical action, do we be-
lieve that any considerable supply is thus
produced, especially in the season of rest.
Our reasons for disbelieving the absorb
ton theory are, first, that the bark is
nearly water proof, and second, that
the tree is usually wetter than the air,
and the tendency, therefore, is for the
tree to get drier, rather than moister
when the supply of water through the
roots is cut off by frost, or otherwise.
Regarding the flow of sap, we agree
with Mr.. Wheeler that the sweet SAP
does not come directly from the roots al
tapping time. After the tree is tapped
and before the buds begin to swell, We
think the flow is produced by the expan
sion of the air in the cells of the wood
which forces out the sap. 1t is only il
! the hours when there is warmth enough
to so expand the air in the outer layers
of wood (where the sweet sap is) tina
sap will flow. When the temperature
falls there is contraction, and boil
. water from the roots, and air through
o the wound made in tapping, will ente
the tree. While this goes on, Their
y will be no flow of of sap.
= While differing with Mr.. Wheeler OIL
these points, we respect him highly a
: painstaking observer, and we do no
= arrogate to ourself superiority, or evei
!, equality of knowledge with him, OIL
some of the points connected with tn
subject. We only claim the right t.
opinions founded on the facts as W
understand them. These we are Away
e ready to change when required to do s.
u by the requirement of new facts, or
6 more reasonable Interpretation of oil
u ones.