The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-08-06
The FurroW
Ne9Cs and Vieo0s About tbe Farm

of the turf and the manure with the
remainder of the soil, the best condi-
lions respecting moisture are secured.
| Manure on Grass
When the corporation embraces
two or more years of grass, or one of
clover followed by only one of grass,
it is better practice to use the manure
to thicken the sod. The obejct in view
is the largest possible amount of crops,
and the maximum amount of organic
matter for the soil. Grass is a heavy
feeder, like corn, and makes good use
of nitrogen. Its roots fill the soil 81
that no loss attends the use of manure.
When the supply is given the grass.
after the harvest of the second crop
of clover and during the winter, the
timothy can make a rank growth. The
part of the plant above ground has
corresponding development below
ground. Not only does large increase
in the hay crop result, but the heavy
mass of grass roots, the aftermath, and
the remains of the manure provide L
great amount of fertility for the corn
which follows. The increase in hay
permits a corresponding increase in
the manure supply the next year, if it
| is fed, and if is sold on account of a
market price greater than the value
for feed and manure, it adds to income
materially-and that is one reason for
farming.
Manure on Potatoes
| There are excellent cash crops that
may get more than their snare of the
farm supply of fertility, and against
the interest of fields in the farm not
adapted to cash crops. The justifica-
ton is found in the farm ledger. IN
some regions potatoes are the best
crop in point of net income per acre,
where the acreage is kept restricted so
that there may be plenty of organic
matter to help in conserving moisture.
1t is not good practice to use fresh
manure, and especially that from
horse stables, for potatoes. A heavy
application makes an excessive growth
of vine, and the yield of tubers suffers.
A stronger deterrent is the effect that
fresh manure has on the development
of the spores that produce the disease
knawn as potato scab. Rotted manure
is less dangerous, and few crops repay
it's use in higher degree than the
potato Some growers prefer to make
heavy application of fresh manure tG
grass for corn, and follow with pota-
toes so that they can profit by the
rotted organic matter that remains.
In this way the physical condition is
made excellent, moisture is well held
in a dry season, and commercial fer
tilizers can supplement the plant food
left in the manure.
| When to Pillow Down
Excellent farmers differ regarding
the efficiencies of manure plowed down
and that mixed with the top soil. Both
classes may be right for their indi-
vidual instances. The blowing down
of manure helps to deepen the soil,
and that always is desirable. 1t causes
plants to root deeply, and that is a
distinct benefit in a drouthy season.
and always desirable. When a soil is
in such filth that the breaking pillow
always brings fertile soil to the sur.
face, the blowing down of manu- e
gives excellent results, though It
should be permitted to leach al the
surface for a few weeks before being
prepared for a seeding of grass OF
clover, the supply of manure shou d
not be plowed down wherever the
breaking-plow brings soil to the sur
face that is deficient in humus. In
the latter case the manure always
should be used as a top-dressing, and
hould be evenly spread and well mixed
with the surface soil. 1t is needed
there far more than it can be needed
farther down. The surface soil always
should have high content of organic
matter.
Heavy Applications
When the farm supply of manure is
small, applications should be light
The manure should not be the de-
,pendence for plant food on part
of field or single field of the farm,
under such circumstances. 1t is more
profitable to give a light dressing tn
larger area. The manure is needed
to make fertilizing crop grow, and
| a very few tons Der acre can assist