Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-04-28
Stable Manure VS.. Green Crops.
George L. Gleason in New England Home
stead.

| Stable Manure VS.. Green Crops.
George L. Gleason in New England Home
This 10 q question in which all New
England farmers are interested, and to
which various answers are given. The
bulletins of experiment stations favor
green crops. In certain cases II may be
we'll. But first and last and always am
| in favor of stable manure. Il contains
all the elements of fertility which the
soil demands and in adequate proper.
tions. But especially does it contain
that organic matter which ID indispenss-
BILE to the maintenance OF fertility. II
| helps to restore carbon and nitrogen. II
is the principal element OF humus and
nothing equals it in the development oil
bacteria.
Besides, It furnishes the cheapest
method Of producing essential elements
of fertility. When crops are fed on the
farm so percent is restored to the soil, II
| the solids and liquids are properly pre-
served and applied. This, too, 10 in the
most available form. 1t has the best
mechanical effects upon the soil, making
| it light aud friable, and with thorough
cultivation it serves to liberate all the
elements which the crops demand.
Now, all this cannot be SAID of the
method of soiling. This is prolonged
and expensive process. A friend told
me recently that he once brought up a
worthless piece of land by plowing in
three crops. This must have required at
least two years and the expense OF culti-
waiting three crops. The last and best
one was at the bottom Of the furfow,
where it could be of no benefit to the
crop until it fermented and rotted. As
the grass roots are near the top OF the
soil it is doubtful il it's fertility was ever
available until a second cultivation.
Besides, in dry season 1t is positive
injury, as 1t serves as a mulch to prevent
the free circulation of moisture. / am
not aware that farmers in New England
have resorted TO this method to any
great extent for furnishing humus and
restoring the fertility to the soil. l
would like to hear of the results ii
such has been the practice.
A COMPROMISE METHOD.
1t is frequently done to supplement
the use of stable manure. A crop OF rye
can be sown in the autumn and plowed
10 early in the spring. But in this case l
find IL more expedient to feed this crop
green and then pillow in the sod with the
aftermath. 1t certainly does not pay to
plcw in clover and alfalfa when so per-
cent can be returned to the soil by ap.
plying it in the form of stable manure.
The latter is applied with q spreader,
followed by disc harrow, and 1t thus
becomes Immediately available and has
the best possible effects upon the soil.
l am accustomed to make the crops
raised during the process OF seeding
more than pay for the renovation of the
land. When the soil is apparently full
of humus and Is rich and friable, l fud
it profitable to apply heavy coat OF
manure. I used a carload on little
more than an acre in autumn OF 1912
when reseeding, and part of the field
in 1918 gave five tons of perfect timothy
and redtop hay per acre. So laid down
another field in the same manner.
At the same time depend upon COM
mercial fertilizer or chemicals for en-.
richipg soils and maintaining crops.
We can raise double the amount of hay
by combining the use of the two than by
stable manure alone. But In my opin.
ion the keeping of stock is indispensable
to the renovation of the soils of New
Eugland. find real profit and fun in
com bining stable manure with the chem
cal elements which each crop demands.