Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
Methods of Using Manure.

To produce the best effect, manure
must be thoroughly incorporated with
the soil, and not left in Jumps on the
surfaces nor half-buried in Jumps be-
meath the surface. There are two WAYS
for accomplishing this result. One is
to break it fine on the surface, and
then to mix it well with the top soil by
narrowing, and to turn the whole
under if required. The Kemp ma
nure-spreader is an admirable machine
for breaking and pulyerizing the
manure for the surface, and it greatly
facilitates the M no with the soil in
ploWine ana narrowing. 1t may be
used with great profit on farms large
enough to warrant purchasing it.
When manure is spread in the spring
special pains should be taken to break
it up and intermix it with the soil; and
in absence of Kemp spreader, slant
tooth harrow will do the work well.
But more thorough intermixture
or incorporation with the soil is
affected, when the manure is spread in
autumn, by the washing of rains,
which carry the soluble parts down.
It is therefore desirable to apply and
spread manure in autumn, so that the
rains can accomplish this purpose; and
next best is to spread it in winter as it
is manufactured in the stable, ready
for the early spring rains. AS general
rule, surface manuring is better re-
tanned on the surface by heavy or
strong soil; and on light soils it is bet
ter to turn it under or thoroughly in
ternix it.
Tho racuItS Of Soma av,o1,ipoon+c +ba r
have been made under the direction of
Prof. Muntz, at the farm school of
Vincennes, France, are as follows, &C
cording to Vicb's Magazi'ae: A solution
of per cent. of sulphate of iron was
used; the quantity correspondent to fifty
eight pounds per acre.
On equal lengths of rows the increase
was 10 per cent. of dwarf beans, and
within a fraction of 10 per cent. of
carrots.
From some other trials there was
reason to think that a second water
ing would have been still more bene-
fetal, and this opinion is confirmed by
an experiment made by M. Fisher,
president of the section of horticulture,
at Chaillevois, in which an increase of
SO per cent. OF crop is noted by use of
270 pounds per acre.
On both of these trials the spaces oc-
cupied by the crops and their weight
were accurately determined.
Other instances are given. One is a
dose equivalent to /, 300 pounds an acre
on plat of peas and other vegetables.
The peas pushed with extraordinary
vigor and grew to a gigantic size, and
other vegetables presented an equally
remarkable development.
Another, some copperaS upon the
lettuce, was used at the rate of eight
hundred pounds per acre the plants
were very beautiful and the leaves very
erect.
Another ease is the successful use of
it on plat of straw berries.
Several instances are given of its use
on vines with the most beneficial
effects, especially on some that were
greatly enfeebled and supposed to be
in dying condition, and others whose
leaves had become q sulphury yellow,
indicative to vineyardists of lingering
disease; in the former case the vines
took on Il new growth, and in the
latter the foliage became perfectly
green.
Its good effect on pear trees is
noticed, in one case transforming by
its action fruits that were formerly
hard and gritty. Roses, geraniums,
violets, and other plants are mentioned
as receiving benefit from it's use on
them.
The conclusion is that copperas can
be employed to advantage on garden
crops at the rate of 250 to 900 pounds
per acre, using it in Il solution of Il
per cent, and repeating the employ
ment three or four times.