Year: 1877

New York Husbandry.


As we think that actual experiments are
more valuable than mere theories, we SUBJ
Join some condensed extracts from statements
made at different agricultural and hortcul-
tural meetings held last month in Western
New York:


MANUREs.


Manure from barns should be drawn out in
the winter as fast as it accumulates, and
spread upon the snow, or the ground which
is to be planted in the spring. Put on lib
eral dressing, as much as can be well plowed
under, and only plant what can be manured.
Where different methods have been tried and
results compared, the winter dressing has
proved the most profitable. If there is any
loss connected with it, it is not so large as
that usually arising from over heating and
evaporation.


Liquid manure is often wasted, although
more valuable than the solid portion. An
expenditure Of ten dollars will put trough
in the rear Of the animals for the reception of
absolvents, or for conveying the contents in
to reservoir. And the liquid may be con.
Quoted elsewhere by placing tile drain un-
der the cattle. Ice from such a source ha
been drawn out into field and scattered
over it with wonderful effects. From such
reservoir the contents should be also applied
upon heaps prepared for composing, to pre-
vent heating. No very satisfactory results
were reported from compost experiments.
Manure that cannot be drawn out at once
should be housed. A farmer said that his
flock of sheep were fed in his barn yard by
day and kept under shed at night, and al
though their droppings were about equally
distributed, those in the shed were worth
twice as much as those in the yard. A dairy
man keeping fifty COWS and having but little
straw, draws out the manure every day and
spreads it upon his meadows. He thinks
that that spread in the month of August
does the most good. One spring he drew out
all his manure and composted it, and in the
fall top-dressed his wheat and could see but
little if any effect.


FERTILIZERS.


At meeting of farmers and horticulturists
great difference of opinion existed respect
ing the comparative valce of commercial fer
tilizers and barn manure. Superphosphates
and bonedust, hen manure, coal ashes, and
leached ashes were recommended for orchards
and small fruit.


The veteran Joseph Harris remarked that
the majority of farmers make poor manure
because they feed but little grain to their stock
what we must learn, is how how feed so as
to make rich manure. Bexy oilcake or bran
or barley cooms, anything that will make
nitrogen. He thought that nitrate of soda
was the best special manure to buy He
would apply from 300 to 500 lbs. to the acre,
broadcast. 1t does not act as stimulant.


Professor Dana stated that it has been
proved over and over again, by chemical
plant and soil analysis, by systematic water
culture. by pot culture, land by actual field ex-
pertinent, that the substances by the addi-
tion of which fertility of the soil is restored
and maintained are potash, phosphoric acid
and nitrogen, and occasionally lime and mag
nesia, in varying quantities according to the
previous condition of the soil, the kind OF
plant to be raised, and the period of its
growth.


As to which is the best fertilizer, that de-
pends on what elements of fertility the land
is deficient in, and the crop to be raised.
Sometimes gypsum, or plaster, is all that is
needed; sometimes wood ashes fill the bill,
more frequently phosphate of lime or nitro
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the needs of his soil for the crop he raises will
procure and apply just what is required and
nothing more. For the unscientiic fruit
grower or farmer well prepared ammoniated
superphosphate is, for all purposes, the best
fertilizer, containing, as it does, proper
percentage of phosphate of lime, gypsum and
nitrogen. 1t potash is wanting wood ashes
are the best thing so far as they go. Ger
man potash salts are the next best thing.


do not undervalue stable manure. On
the contrary, set very high value upon it.
would willingly pay fifty dollars per ton
for stable manure, free from seeds, water,
sand, carbon and such other substances
which nature supplies gratutitously, and in
such mechanical condition that it could be
applied with grain drill or a plaster sower !;
or, would pay to those who would deliver it
in crude form on my grounds the same price
per pound for all the fertilizing elements it
contains as must pay to fertilizer dealers
for the same substances. Bring on the stable
manure. Clean out the back yards, vaults
and sink holes before the approach of warm
weather, typoid fever and cholera.


GRAPES.


In discussing the question whether the
height of excellence had been reached, or if
not, what qualities were still wanting. the
general opinion was expressed that there is
yet room for improvement All the desirable
qualities are not to be found in one grape.
More sugar is needed in our grapes, hardi-
ness and quality combined also, in some a
handsomer bunch and in others longer keep
ing qualities, and generallya healthier fol-
age. For dressing ashes, hen manure mixed
with cheaper manure, night soil deodorized
with road dust ard then spread broadcast
and cultivated in, were all recommended.
Grape. growing is profitable, and many de-
pend upon it entirely for their living. Vine
yards must be cared for as market gardener
tends his garden. Many fail because they
have not managed right, they have tried to
raise grapes without labor and intelligence.
We must study the wants of the soil and the
habits of the grape, as no two varieties will
admit of the same treatment. Our principal
hindrances are from dry winters. One
grower shipped half ton of Catawbas to
New York in February, for which he received
twenty cents pound. He has 20 acres
which cost $500 year and bring in $4,000.
Another has 1900 vines on two acres and has
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