The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-05-03
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
Applying Manures.

We advocate fall manuring where it
Is to be served to the land by broad
casting, if over firm sub-sol. but
not till in the spring if on gravelly or
sandy soils. or sub-soils of this nature.
Neither is it waste 10 manure thus.
or in excess of the crops. unless on
open or sandy soils. But it is not
usually the best economy to make
heavy applications. except to bring up
worm out lands, in excess of the crop
demand. For. with the farmer as with
the merchant, he wants quick returns
on his investments; therefore, he should
apply Just what lie thinks the crop
needs, and this over as much ground
as can be well cultivated. If
too much fertility is gained by
excessive manuring. and the season is
moist and favoring large growth.
grain crops may be injured by this
overlooking the plant. There is
forced an extra growth of vine. stalk
and straw. which usually falls down,
and the seed is thus prevented from
properly filling and maturing. We
once sowed to wheat a piece OF ground
that had been the feeding place for
stock of various kinds for years. their
droppings rotting and mingling with
the soil, and which had never been
cultivated till prepared for this wheat
crop; the result was an extraordin AIRY
crop of straw-the stalks in many
places grew to height of seven feet
and not over twelve bushels of me-
dunn fine wheat to the acre. The
field was taxed, following that with
two successive crops Of tobacco. then
again sowed 10 wheat, without addi-
tional manuring. save little put in
the hill of the last crop. The wheat
turned out far better than the first
yielding nearly twenty bushels per
acre.
An excessive quantity of manure
put in the hill. for instance, say peck
of hen-manure in the hill for melons,
and, if moist season follow. an ex-
cess of vines, with little or no fruit.
will be the result. But Incorporate the
same manure with the soil some weeks
previously, then spoonful or two of
the manure in the hill, and there will
be not only thrifty vines. but an
abundance of fruit as well.
AS manures made on the farm are
of very unequal values, they should be
thoroughly mixed together before ap-
plying to the land or to the crops; that
is. in other words, the manures should
be conn osted together. Some ma
nures are very rich in one element
and some in others. and for the
most part. the richer the elements
contained the less bulky they are. as,
for instance. hen manure; and. on the
contrary, the more bulky the less
value in fertility. Aud it is difficult
to apply. the less bulky rich manures
economically TO land; hence it is adj
visable 10 compost them with the more
bulky. such as barnyard manures.
The rich elements will soon leaven the
entire heap. and thus the richer ma
nure can be evenly distributed over a
larger surface than it could be if in
smaller bulk; otherwise, too. the poor
est manure might be cast upon the
poorest land, where the richest is
needed.
AS to applying manure in the hill,
this metho3. we think agreeable to
our own experience. is not safe as
general rule. 1t is better that the
manure used on all crops should be
thoroughly mixed with the soil rather
than in the hill, especially if in guam
tity or in Jumps, for it soon dries out
when the rains stop; then it injuries
rather than benefits the crop. And,
besides, some manures are too strong
for young plants. They do not need
30 much nourishment at the start; but
when they have attained considerable
size, and have sent out rootlets all
through the soil. then plant-food is
demanded in abundance, and, if it
has been thoroughly Incorporated with
the soil. it will be found and taken up.
Cor. Southern CaltiUator.
Farming a Good Occupation.