Oxford Democrat., 1909-06-15
The Useful Manure Barrel.

No matter how fertile and we'll enrich
ed the garden soil may be, there are al
ways a few plants whose freedom of
bloom or tropical luxuriance depends
upon a weekly or semi-weekly drink OF
liquid manure, and well-arranged ma
nure barrel is sure TO more than pay for
the trouble of its installation. The best
place for the establishment of this plant
is at point as convenient to the garden
and as accessible to water as possible.
If within reach of the hose, so that 1t
may be filled from that source, so much
the better.
Only sound, perfectly water-tight
barrel should be used-an oil or molasses
barrel being best-and this should be
we'll hooped and thoroughly painted in
side and out, as the presence of the ma
nure and water inside causes rapid de-
terioratiOn if no protective coating is
provided A position shielded from the
sun is advisable, as the hot rays during
long summer days are apt to start leak
in the barrel, which will prove annoying
if not disastrous. The barrel should be
set on a raised platform-a stout box or
other elevation, and three bricks should
be placed on top of the support for the
barrel to rest on, letting the rim OF the
bottom, not the bottom itself, rest on
the bricks. This is in order that the air
may circulate freely beneath it and in
sure it against decay, which would be
certain to result were il set fiat on the
box.
The barrel must be fitted with a re-
liable spigot, a molasses gate is best,
which should be set in the side two or
three inches from the bottom. An arm
ful of straw should be placed i'll the bot
tom of the barrel to act as a filter to the
manure water and keep the manure
from clogging up the spigot. The bar
rel should then be filled with manure to
the top, and water run in until the bar
rel is full. 1t is then ready for use, and
will require no further attention, save
replenishing the water as it is drawn of,
for some time. The best way to main
tain full supply of water is to add at
each using as much fresh water as is
withdrawn. Where water is added by
hand, the best way is TO carry water
ing-pot full to the barrel and empty it
in and draw out corresponding
amount; in this way one avoids the an
noyance of finding the barrel empty
Just when it is most needed, and also
obviates the danger of a leaky barrel,
caused by the withdrawal of all the wa
ter.
1t is best, in using liquid manure, to
have a certain regularity about it; that
is, if it is used once week, use it on the
same day of the week. Usually twice
week for rank-growing plants will prove
most satisfactory The first few pals
full of liquid drawn from the barrel will
be very strong and dark and should be
used with discretion-less being applied
than after the liquid has become weak.
Never use strong liquid when the ground
above the plants is dry, but water well
first and then apply the liquid; then the
plant will absorb what it needs as food
and no more; but if put on thirsty soil
and plant, a harmful amount will be ab-
sorbed. The wet soil weakens the ilq-
uid to safe dilution.
When the contents of the barrel are
no longer required, it should be emptied
and stored in a sheltered place; cared for
properly, a barrel will have many years
of usefulness, but may easily go TO
pieces in one OF two if neglected or mis-
managed. The old manure removed
from the barrel during and at the end OF
the season makes an excellent mulch Tor
the hardy perennials and shrubbery, or
NAV be used as litter for the bulb beds
during winter.-Cor. Country Gentle
man,