The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-10-15

difference in the crops with this conn.,
post mix applied as compared with
others of the same adjoining which
were MANFRED only from the pile
outside the stable, and with other
crops on ground not far away, not
MANFRED. They grew faster, greener,
larger and yielded better so that 1
estimated the increased crop from
that acre fully paid for sheep dipand
all cost of the tobacco, about $12,
although most of my POTATOES rotted
that year.
Afterwards I noted one analysis of
tobacco stems, viz. Phosphoric
acid, so per cent ammonia, LAP per
cent. /; potash, 4.13 per cent. ; and I
see that an analysis as the North
Carolina Station and others are near
about the same. These with other
and varied trials made warrant me,
1 think, in giving another formula
for handling sheep properly
cared for, viz:
Provide 10 barrels land plaster, 25
barrels quick lime, ten tons best acid
phosphate Cor I much prefer six tons
pure ground bone), twelve tons to
bacco stems and refuse, cut short,
dried and shredded or ground, so
tons of muck and 80 tons of leaf
mold. (See Chapter XVII
For a flock of rs breeding ewes
one-fourth the above quantities will
be sufficient, and for one hundred
and fifty, one-half the amounts.
Surprising, of course, this to be on
a farm or plantation of over 400 acres
where 100 have been run in cotton,
but now 300 breeding ewes being
brought on the place to the agreed
plan that only so acres shall be
planted annually to cotton, while 80
Gre and the remainder of the place
shall be devoted to keeping the sheep
which are to have sufficient housing
and feed prepared for high keeping,
with a compost barn, &c. (See pre-
vious chapters }
Mix the lime and muck together as
before described, also the leaf mold,
cut tobacco stems, and phosphate or
ground bone all as directed. (See
Chapter XVII Lastly, mix these
piles in with the sheep and other
manure as directed in Chapter XVI.
Reserve the 10 barrels land plas
ter TO have constantly on hand to
sprinkle daily on the manure in the
stalls and in the sheep pens, having
previously mixed it with two or
three times its bulk of dry leaf mold
and enough of it used to Immediately
absorb all of the urine and wetness
of the manure and thus hold it for
composing with she manure. This
is a necessary and very paying pre-
caution and labor. All hay, straw
or other material used for bedding
should be run through a cutter and
cut short or raked up daily off the
manure and run through a Gutter.
This not only facilitates decomposi-
ton, but prevents much labor and
time expended on it in the compost
barn.
Great care must be exercised that
no manure be exposed to rain or
wet, or sun or drying wind which
may carry off any part whatever of
the elements contained in it. Take
care that enough dry earth and plas-
ter be used to keep down the pres
ence of any smell whatever, either
in the stables, pens, sheep barns or
compost room. All such is unhealthy
both to beast and man, besides it is
evidence that some fertilizing ele-
ments are escaping.
Let me urgently impress upon your
mind, brother sheep husbandman
who may have embarked in the sheep
business, the Importance of the dill
gent use of absorbents all the time.
You may in this case regard water,
sun and air as thieves that r CON
stantly watching TO carry away your
ammonia, phosphate and ash from
your manures, and thus rob your
farm of richness and Jour pocket of
dollars. Yes, guard against them as
intelligently and persistently as you
guard yours stables and money drawer
with locks and keys against thieves
by day and night. This will be to
you an insurance policy we'll in
vested.