The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-04-02

% The EarmsF's Family.
The farmer who wishes 20 make q
much money ~ possible out Of his bust
ness must take better care Of the home
manure supply. and make better use Of
H. Those living on new. rich prairie
land may think themselves exceptions
20 this rule. and perhaps they are for
the present. but they will not DO long.
There are few farms in the older States
where good stable manure. properly
applied. will not double the yield d
corn, wheat. potatoes and hay. II you
do not think SO. Just compare the aver.
age yields Of your State with those a
your best farmers. For example. here
in Ohio, fifteen bushels per acre Is
about the average Of wheat, perhaps.
Mr.. ID. Il. Fem. Of Summit County.
has raised nearly two and half times
that quantity. on the average, for q
term Of years. One and half tons 81
hay TO the acre Is q large average yield.
but we have plenty Of men who have
taken poor farms and brought them
up until they produce three or even
four tons per acre, in two or three cut
tings. Heavy manuring will tell still
better on the potato crop. OF course
when say that manure will double
the yield on certain farms, il Is under
stood that the land il to be under
drained. IL il needs IL, and Is 70 be suita-
BILE for the crop. and that the crop shall
be properly cared for.
think that at least one-half Of tho
manure made is wasted. in one way or
another. Go with me on n visit to a
few average farms. What do we find?
Nearly always the liquid manure
quietly draining through the cracks in
the stable floor. A farmer who is too
poor" to take q paper will let one hun
dred dollars or more slip away from
him in this manner during the winter.
Then perhaps he will buy one hundred
dollars worth of commercial fertilizers,
the money for which goes into the
other fellows pocket instead Of into
his. Often we will find the horse ma
nure thrown out by itself and quietly
sending its most valuable part into the
air, rs the result Of too much heating.
The liquid having drained away under
the stable. and the ammonia having
been sent into the air By too great fer
mentation. and the rains having
washed away at the poor remainder,
how much finally gets onto the land?
The farmer may consider himself lucky
If this wasted fertility does not injure
the health Of his family by finding it,
way into the Whitewater or contami-
mating the air around the dwellings.
We will often find ton after ton Of
this liquid manure or barn-yard drain
age going down into the earth and the
farmer using well or spring in close
proximity. The penalty viii have to
be paid sooner or later. Providence
will never save one unless he regards
the laws Of health Again, MANY barn
yards will be found draining directly
into a-crcek. and very likely no water
conductors on the barn. Well, perhaps
the fertility might better be carried
away BY the running water than soak
into the earth all in one place, rs Is
often the case in level barn-yards. An
other thing we find Is stock going quite
distance to get water in the winter.
perhaps TO some pond or stream. where
Il hole is cut in the ice for them to
drink. ANY observant farmer knows
that much manure Is lost at such times.
to say nothing Of the poor economy Of
allowing animals to drink ice water.
On some farms the cattle are allowed
to stand around outdoors. in lanes or
fence corners. much Of the time in
winter. Well. there will be less manure
10 clean out. '.lcss trouble. but there
will also be less profit.
Now how had the good. busincss-like
farmer ought TO care for manureP He
certainly ought TO save il almost entire
" without loss. The process is not 50
difficult but that II will pay him well.
provided he makes proper use Of il.
The way will vary on different farms.
For one thing. all stable floors should
be absolutely tight. Water should be
| furnished in the yard or barn. Where
land is level, and no danger Of washing
away. the manure may be drawn out
70 the field and spread as fast as made.
absorbcnts enough having been used to
hold all the liquid If il is to be piled.
| mix horse and cattle manure. so as to
prevent the excessive heating that Is
apt 70 take place II the former Is piled
alone. II your stock trample on the
pile. II viii not be likely to heat too
much. II it does, with a hose from
your pump put on little water. A
| pile may be built in the yard and 50
managed and cared for as to lose very
! little Of its value. although not covered
BY roof. but one will need TO be con-
stantly on the watch. Ihave done this
way for many years. and by careful
| tests know | have not lost much fer
tility. but believe there Is Letter
way
:H year or two l hope TO build a
acw barn. with all the stable floors Of
stone and cement. and so arranged that
the horse and cattle manures can be
easily gathered into one small yard.
Then will put roof over that yard.
connected with the barn. and spread
| the manure all around and let the stock
exercise on IL. The stock will not need
| to 20 out from under cover in all
winter. The manure will be safe from
| loss until wanted. OF course, ] will
| have the barn large enough 70 hold all
straw and hay. / believe ! can not
| only save manure and make money.
| but that I can have first-rate time
doing chores in such building. just