The National tribune., 1892-02-04
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
SIANUREs.

/
when the fancied elixir of life drew the arrest
ed attention Of the nations. Its supposed value
was all-cugrOssing. Happily for the world, the
dark shades Of that nigh: of ignorance have re-
tired. But still subjects that are perceived to
be of high Importance engross the minds and
become the chosen hobbies Of men. Not infre-
! quently the elite and the Swans enter the arena
aud contend for the prize The efforts to dis
cover hidden truths or bring to light occult
science not infrequently exert an influence
which conducts unthinking and bewildered
men so far astray that they either neglect their
own interests, or else pursue it with such inap-
propriate means as are sure TO defeat their most
assiduous efforts.
But what bearing have these remarks on the
humble subject of manure for the farm? Re-
fleet, and you will perceive that they are not al
together inappropriate. BY at least common
consent the subject of manure is admitted to
be the foundation Of agricultural prosperity.
This is the true state OF the case in both Eu-
rope and America The admitted importance
of manure to successful farming is so great that
the most labOrious Investigations OF science are
/ directed to it. Men deseryedly in the highest
ranks Of talent and literature are bestowing
| upon it their untiring labOrs On this subject
several Of the most learned men that ever en-
| lightened and adorned any age or country are
| gathering their most unfading laurels. In our
own land, many Of the first scholars of the age
are awakened aud electrified by the command
ing importance of this rustic subject So far,
all is well. Noble minds. men of undying
fame, are in this particular giving their labors
TO subject every way worthy of their regard.
To increase the comforts and multiply the food
for world is no triaing concern.
IL, then, becomes matter Of no small interest
10 inquire what are some Of the means we'll
adapted to accumulate and preserve manure
The farmer should stable all his cattle during
the fOddering season. His stables should all be
prepared with tanks or watts under them 10 re-
ceive all the liquid secretiOns from his cattle.
| Into these watts should be thrown in the Fall
| quantity Of some suitable substance 20 absorb
and retain the liquids. This putting into the
watts some absorbent should be repeated two or
more times during the Winter. lie should also
have a good yard connected with his stables in
which his cattle may run in the daytime when
out OF the stables. His yard should DO covered
To the depth of six inches or more in the Fall
with swamp muck. with leaves from the forest,
with any turf from the highway or from his
utdutdHuH. lying IN the Narl curing the
Winter, and being mixed with tho dToppngs Of
his cattle, any Of these substances will bs as
good IN the Spring as common barnyard ma
nure. All the coarse remains Of the fodder,
which the stock refuse 10 eat should be thrown
into heaps aud sheltered from the rains and
SHOWS, 10 preserve il from teaching; all the
weeds on the farm. Of every kind, should be
collected while green and piled in the yard for
manure. The farmers hogs should be kept at
work making manure Their pen should be so
constructed that there will be hog laboratory
in one part OF IL. In this apartment should
often be placed sWamp-muck. turf. or straw, all
OF which the hogs will manufacture into first
rate manure during the season. They will work
diligently If occasionally encouraged with a
little corn and other grain sprinkled over their
task, aud provided they have clean. dry place
to which they can retire for rest after hard
fatigue. Each hog will produce at least one
cord OF manure in the course OF the Summer.
The privy, also, Should DO constructed with a
bin or portable box under the seat, with handles,
so that two men can remove il, rs occasion may
require. and empty it on the manure heap.
This box should be supplied with some absorb
ent material, and often be the recipient Of a
liberal supply Of gypsum. Every animal that
, pertains to the farmer should assist in accumu-
lating manure-the family. cattle, hogs, and all.
A well-regulated method Of doing this will es-
sentially contribute 10 the comfort and health
|
farmer
. In the Spring every place that contains ma
nure should be cleared of its contents for the
benefit Of the field. Farmers who cautiously
: secure all the manure they can use 10 discreet
ly, aud exercise becoming economy, with the
ordinary blessings Of Him who rewards the
diligent hand, will soon be able TO live in pal
aces, become mOney-lenders, and enjoy the APP
pellatiOn Of the nobility OF America-nOt made
noblemen by the ever-wavering breath OF mon
J archy, but constituted the nobility by their
I skill with the plow and their success in pro-
: ducing bread for the hungry.
D PLANTING SEED.
No rules OF universal application can be given
! rs TO the proper depth at which seed can be
planted. In dry, sandy soils, situated in dry
climates, deeper covering is required than
: would be judicious under opposite conditions
For example, il has been shown that peas con-
tinue longer in bearing condition on sandy
soils when sown nj a depth OF six inches than
they do when placed nearer the surface; and il
, is said that the Indians upon the table lands oil
! tho Colorado plant corn 10 TO ~ inches below
the surface, with the best results but if planted
with only one or two inches Of covering the
E crop fails. Seeds also vary in their ability to
I penetrate depths Of soil in terminating Legu
: minous seeds and some of the largest seeding
; graminR, can be planted deeper than those o.
\ lighter character.
KEEPING POTATOES
Much trouble Is experienced by farmers and
] others who have occasion TO store potatoes fol-
considerable length Of time, in preventing
I their termination, aud consequent depreciation
/ in value as food. Experiments prosecuted in
Germany have shown that this can be accom-
! plished by exposing the potatoes to the vapOl
! Of sulphurOu5 acid. by any Of the various we'll
| known modes, and a large mass OF potatoes Cal
y | be treated at one time This process, il not en-
tircly effective in accomplishing the object, viii
Tetard or modify the spronting of the potato h
, such an extent as to render the injury caused
!. thereby very slight The flavor Of the potato
: is not affected in the least by this treatment
= nor is its vitality diminished the action being
x simply TO retard or prevent the formation anC
: growth Of the eyes,
CARE OF CELLARS.
Fungus growth in cellars may be eombatet
either by burning sulphur or by pouring tw
i parts of concentrated sulphuric acid over on
o part Of common salt. In the first instance, sui
/ phurous acid gas is produced; and in th
:, second hydTochlqric acid, by means of whcl
- the fungi are destroyed. During the process
all openings must be closed, so rs 10 prevent an,
lie escape Of the gas, aud the greatest care exeT
W eised not TO enter the cellar after the operation
until il has been thoroughly ventilated.
ii CONPOsTs FOR AANUREs.
The adultcratiSn OF feed stuiIs aud manure
." is q subject which has attracted the attention
"a Of both agriculturists aud chemists within TIA
past few years, aud as Tie manufacture Of com