Year: 1872

''Since the virgin soil in nearly all the
older States is becoming exhausted, the
problem of fertilizing-ho to obtain the
most economical and efficient manure for
all soils and erops-is enc of great impo--
ance to every agriculturist. Experieice
has demonstrated that stable-manure,1r prop
erly composted and cared for, is tle very
best general fertilizer that can b. used
But the bulk and the expense TO transpor-
tation-if it could be bought must con-
fine its use to the supply thsc can be pro-
duced at home, or obtainel very near
With system and care tbs supply can be
largely increased by gatlering at the pro-
per season, everything of vegetable
nature that can be @rmented and decom-
posed, and storing it in convenient place
for use. Every animal should be made
auxiliary by being kept in stables, yards or
pens, aud the ground floors of which should
be kept well covered with vegetable litter.
AS often as this litter becomes soiled it
should be removed and placed in pile
under cover is BEST and fresh litter spread
on the floors. The liquid being rich in
ammonia, it is important that care should
be taken to have it all absorbed and pre-
served with the litter which furnishes the
carbonferous element. There is some
art and skill required in order to generate.
combine, and preserve the most valuable
elements in stable manure. The raw pile
will not ferment during freezing weather.
But.in the early Spring it should be re-
moved to suitable place to form into
pile about four feet high to ferment. This
pile should be covered with layer of dry
muck, or rich earth, or what is better, if
to be had, ground plaster of paris, to
absorb the gases, ammonia, nitrogen and
carbonic acid, as they are generated dur
ing fermentation. One ton of properly
composted and we'll cared for manure is
worth several tons of such as has been
allowed to evaporate its gases and leech
away its alkaline salts and phosphates.-
While guano and the manipulated fertiiz-
ers furnish only portion, and mainly the
stimulating elements of vegetable growth.
When the manure pile is too small to fer
tilize literally the projected crop, what it
lacks in size can be made up in strength by
the addition of the alkaline salts of ammo
MIA, potash, soda, &C., with ground bone
and plaster of Paris. These materials,
when combined in due proportion, form an
artificial guano destitute of the carbonif-
erous element; and if this compound or
guano alone is applied to worn-out soil,
where the carboniferous or vegetable mat
ter has become exhausted, the plant can
not perfect it's growth and fruit, although
its early life may have the appearance OF
great vigor. When stable-manure is
scarce, or not to be had, very good sub
stitute may be made with dry muck, or
any fine vegetable compost, or mould, by
the addition in due proportion OF the
aforementioned material or genuine
guano, and properly Incorporating them
with it. Lime and ashes are most valua-
BILE on sandy soil, but should be applied
separate, and never mixed with stable
manure or fertilizers, as they iberate and
volatilize the gases, ammonia &c. Those
who have plenty of money and little ambi-
tion to learn the treason why in their
profession, will always be good customers
for manipulated fertilizers; but those who
would thrive and leave their farms more
productive at the end of life than they
were at the beginning, will study the
science and practice the art of agriculture,
and experiment in manipulating their own
fertilizers at home"