The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-08-15
The Proper Application
Of Manure.
HAVING In WET WEATHER.
Manuring and Enriching Properly
the Soil is the Foundation Of
Successful Farming.

that lies very near the foundation of SCI
entifc agriculture. And farmers who
understand this principle best and prac-
tice it most are, other things being equal,
most prosperous.
Properly manuring and enriching the
soil is the foundation OF successful farm
ing, and is deserving of the farmer
careful attention. The time once was
when there was an abundance Of rich
virgin soil, when farmers could with
some excuse neglect the saving and man
nfacturing of manures with which to
fertilize their fields, and crop failures
were seldom heard Of But such a con-
dition of things, especially with much
OF the country, is past; there is very
great difference now, and failure to a
greater or less extent of crops is almost
sure to follow, unless the very best modes
of fertilization and cultivation be
adopted. We advocate fall manuring
where it is to be served to land by broad
casting, if over firm suhsoil and fairly
level land, but not till in the spring II
on very porous soils and hillsides. Nei-
ther is it a waste to manure thus or in
excess of crops, unless on open or sandy
soils. But it is not usually the best econ
omy to make heavy applications, except
it be TO bring up exhausted lands, in ex-
cess of the demands OF the crop. For
with the farmer as with the tradesman
or merchant, he wants quick returns on
his investments; therefore, he should
apply just what he thinks the crop needs,
and this over as much ground as can be
well cultivated.
If too much fertility be gained by ex-
&c I've manuring and the season be moist
and favoring large growth, grain crops
especially may be injured by this over
feeding of the plant. There is forced an
extra growth of stalk or straw, which
usually falls down, and the seed is thus
prevented from properly filling and ma
turing.
We once sowed to wheat a small field,
which before clearing had been the feed
ing place for stock Of various kinds for
years, their droppings rotting and min
Cling with the soil, and which was
cleared, the ground we'll prepared and
sown; the result was an extraordinary
crop of straw-the stalks in many places
grew to the height OF seven feet--and
not over twelve bushels of medium fine
wheat to the acre. The field was after
wards taxed with the growth Of two crops
of tobacco, then again sown to wheat,
and the yield was nearly twenty bushels
per acre. We attributed the first result
to too great manurial stimulant in the
soil.
An excessive quantity of rich manure
put in the hill-for instance, say a peck
of hen manure in the hill for melons,
and if a moist season follow, an excess
of vines with little or no fruit is likely
to be the result. But the manure we'll
intermixed with the soil in the fall, or
even very early in the spring, then the
result will be not only thrifty vines, but
fine fruit as well.
AS manures made on the farm are of
very unequal values, they should be
thoroughly mixed together before apply
ing to the land or crops. Some manures
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 ma
nure; and, on the contrary, the more
bulky the less value in fertility. For
this reason it is difficult to apply the less
bulky, rich manures economically to
land hence it is advisable to compost
them with the more bulky, such as barn
yard manures; the rich elements will
6OOh lOoNVi bAAC ACcps bllNlc
the richer manure can be evenly distrib-
uted over larger surface than it could
be if in smaller bulk; otherwise, too,
the less rich manure might be cast upon
the most sterile soil, where the best is
needed.
AS to applying manure in the hill,
this method according to our experience
is not safe as a role. 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 quantity
or in Jumps, foi it soon dries out when
the rains stop; then it Injuries rather
than benefits the crop. Besides, some
manures are too strong for young plants.
They do not need so much nourishment
at the start; but. when they have at.
tanned some size and have sent out root,
let's all through the soil, then they de
mand plant food in abundance, and if il
has been well incorporated with the soil
it will be found and taken up.