Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-12-16
THE SHORT COURSE
AND THE FARMER
Preserving Fertility In His Soil Is One
OF the Lessons He Learns At HIS
Agricultural College.
H. ]. PATTERSON,
Maryland Agricultural College.

Maryland Agricultural College.
With the beginning of the annual
winter short courses in improved farm'
ing methods at the Agricultural Coi-
lege the farmer who has not hitherto
attended them is inclined to question
what benefit is to be secured from
them. Perhaps no more striking les
son is taught than the preserving OF
fertility in the soil, which Is beyond
doubt the foundation of all successful
farming. Particularly Is this true IN
the matter of properly handling the
manure made on the farm.
How Manure Is Wasted.
Even though manure is regarded
highly by farmers in all sections OF the
State, there is, nevertheless, no prod
uct of equal value which is so much
neglected and poorly cared for. II
ha, been found as result or expert:
mcnts that fresh manure during decay
Will lose from 20 to 70 per cent. OF its
weight. In losing weight, manure also
loses in fertilizing value, sources OF
such loss being due to the incomplete
absorption of the liquid manure
which. by the way, Is richer both IN
nitrogen and potash than the dung;
to teaching, as when manure is plea
against the side Of the stable or IN
yard where rains wash out much
of the nitrogen and potash, which Is
seen in the dark brown liquid oozinS
from the pile; and to heating and fer
menting while in the pile which breaks
down the organic matter, causes loss
of humus, and the giving of OF am
monia, compounds, containing the
most valuable element in manure, the
nitrogen.
How To Handle Manure.
Steps to be taken in preventing such
losses are to provide sufficient bedding
or litter in the stable to absorb all the
LIQUID manure; TO check fermentation
By mixing the cooler COW manure with
horse manure; to make piles compact
so as to exclude air and lower the tenn
perature; to use chemical absorbents
such as plaster, kainit, phosphate rock
etc, sprinkled over the manure in the
stable. thus preserving 1t and prevent
ing loss; to prevent loss from teaching
by piling the manure under ROOF or
still better hauling it directly to the
field and spreading it as fast as 1t is
produced.
This last practice is without ques
ton the most economical, both in the
saving Of labor and in preserving the
fertilizing qualities OF the manure
Manure should be spread as soon as II
is hauled to the field. The practice OF
putting it in piles is Objectionable be
cause of the loss that is likely to oc
cur. The placing of it in piles also re
uuires additional labor. The manner
of spreading will depend on the equip
ment of the farmer, but where the dis
lance is relatively short and 1t Is de
sired to have the manure evenly
spread a manure spreader will prove
a valuable investment.
The proper handling of farm manure
is only one point among many that
t1le ldIIlltI " III lhS ppP'i
to hear discussed at the winter short
courses. The mixing of fertilizers
their application, the securing OF su
uperior seed, the use Of lime, the grow
Ing of clover crops, spring fertilization
of grass, proper drainage, and the
many other factors in successful soil
building and crop production which
every farmer ought to know furnish
endless food for thought and future ap
plcation in the Improvement OF
methods and the increasing of yields
What information his Agricultural Col
le"e can give is freely his; 1t lies
with the farmer himself to make the
most of his opportunity to become
acquainted with his Agricultural Col
lege and gain help from its instruc
tons.