99 99 99 99 99 ,,talks ,,on ,,manures4 ,a ,series of ,familiar and ,practical ,talks ,between the ,author and the ,deacon1 the ,doctor1 and ,other ,neighbors1 on the ,whole ,subject of ,manures and ,fertilizers4 by ,,joseph ,,harris1 ,m4,s4 ,author of 8,walks and ,talks on the ,farm10 8,harris on the ,pig10 etc4 ,,new ,,and ,,enlarged ,,edition1 ,including a ,chapter ,specially ,written for ,it by ,sir ,john ,bennet ,lawes1 of ,rothamsted1 ,england4 ,illustration3 ,publisher's ,logo ,new ,york3 ,orange ,judd ,company1 #aiai ,entered1 according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahhc1 by the ,,orange ,,judd ,,company ,in the ,office of the ,librarian of ,congress1 at ,washington4 ,printed in ,u4 ,s4 ,a4 ,,contents4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,farming as a ,business4-- ,high ,farming and ,good ,farming4-- ,summer-fallowing and ,plowing under ,clover4-- ,we must raise larger ,crops per ,acre4-- ,destruction of ,weeds4-- ,farming is ,slow ,work4-- ,it requires ,personal ,attention4 #i ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,what is ,manure8-- ,the definitions given by the ,deacon and the ,doctor4 #ai ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,something about ,plant-food4-- ,all soils on which plants grow contain it4-- ,the ,season4-- ,water1 ,shade1 ,light1 and ,mulch1 not ,manures4-- ,several ,definitions of ,manure4 #ba ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,natural ,manure4-- ,accumulated ,plant-food in the ,soil4-- ,exhaustion of the ,soil4-- ,why our ,crops are so ,poor4-- ,how to get ,larger ,crops4-- ,we must ,drain1 ,cultivate thoroughly1 and ,make ,richer ,manure4 #bc ,,chapter ,v4 ,swamp-muck and ,peat as ,manure4-- ,draining ,swamp-land4-- ,composition of ,peat and ,muck4 #bi ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,what is ,potential ,ammonia4 #ca ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,tillage is ,manure4-- ,the ,doctor's ,lecture on ,manure4 #cb ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,summer-fallowing4-- ,mr4 ,lawes' crop every other year4-- ,wheat after ,barley4-- ,for ,larger ,crops raise less frequently1 and ,manure ,higher2 also keep better ,stock1 and ,feed ,higher4 #cd ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,how to ,restore a ,worn-out ,farm4-- ,the ,author's ,farm4-- ,tillage renders the ,plant-food stored in the soil available4-- ,cultivated ,lands contain less ,plant-food1 but are more productive4-- ,grass alone will not make rich land4 #cg ,,chapter ,x4 ,how to ,make ,manure4-- ,we must get it out of the ,land4 #da ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,the ,value of the ,manure depends upon the ,food--not upon the ,animal4 #dc ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,foods which ,make ,rich ,manure4-- ,table giving the composition of #ca kinds of ,food and the value of the ,manure they yield4-- ,cotton-seed ,cake4-- ,english and ,german ,clover4-- ,nitrogenous matter in ,rich and ,poor ,foods4-- ,manure from ,corn compared with that from ,straw4 #de ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,horse-manure and ,farm-yard ,manure4-- ,why the one is richer than the other4-- ,amount of ,manure from a ,horse4-- ,composition of ,farm-yard ,manure4-- ,we draw and spread a ton to get #cc lbs4 of ,nitrogen1 ,phosphoric ,acid1 and ,potash4 #ej ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,fermenting ,manure4-- ,composition of ,manure when ,fresh and in its stages of ,fermentation4-- ,loss in ,fermentation and from ,leaching4-- ,tables showing the composition of ,manure at different stages4-- ,fermenting makes ,manure more ,soluble4 #eb ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,keeping ,manure under ,cover4-- ,dr4 ,vlcker's ,experiments4-- ,manure ,fermented ,outside and ,under ,cover4-- ,loss from keeping ,manure spread in the ,barn-yard4-- ,keeping well-rotted ,manure in a ,heap4-- ,conclusions from ,dr4 ,vlcker's ,experiments4 #ei ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,an ,english ,plan of ,keeping ,manure4-- ,box feeding of ,cattle4-- ,spreading ,manure at once4-- ,piling in ,heaps in the ,field4-- ,old ,sods and ,ashes from ,charred ,sods4 #fi ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,soluble ,phosphates in ,farm-yard ,manure4-- ,fermented1 the ,manure has the most4-- ,over #dj per cent4 of the ,phosphoric ,acid is ,soluble4 #gb ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,how the ,deacon makes ,manure4-- ,a good plan for making poor ,manure4 #gd ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,how ,john ,johnston ,manages ,his ,manure4 ,summer-fallows for ,wheat4-- ,does not plow under ,clover4-- ,value of ,manure from different foods4-- ,piling ,manure4-- ,applies ,manure to ,grass-land in ,fall1 and ,plows under in ,spring for ,corn4-- ,his success due to the ,effect of ,manure on ,grass4-- ,it brought in ,red ,clover4 #gf ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,the ,author's ,plan of ,managing ,manure4-- ,piles as fast as it is ,made4-- ,what it is ,made of4-- ,horse and ,cow ,manure ,together4-- ,horse ,manure for ,bedding ,pigs4-- ,to ,prevent ,freezing4-- ,liquid ,manure from ,pigs4-- ,bedding ,sheep4-- ,piling in the ,field4-- ,where the ,piles should be ,made4-- ,manure in a ,basin4-- ,reasons for ,piling4-- ,what we ,gain by ,fermenting ,manure4 #hc ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,management ,continued4-- ,why ,we ,ferment ,manure4-- ,dr4 ,vlcker's ,experiments showing the ,loss when ,manure is spread in ,yards4-- ,fermenting adds ,nothing to ,manure1 but makes it more available4-- ,mr4 ,lawes' ,experiments on ,wheat and ,barley4-- ,dr4 ,vlcker's ,results4-- ,ellwander ,barry's ,experience4-- ,loss of ,ammonia by ,fermenting4-- ,waste from ,leaching4-- ,how to ,save the ,liquid ,manure from ,cows4 #id ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,manure on ,dairy ,farms4-- ,wheat removes much more ,nitrogen than ,cheese4-- ,manures for ,dairy ,farms4-- ,letter from ,hon4 ,harris ,lewis4-- ,how to make more and better ,manure on ,dairy ,farms4-- ,how to save and apply it4-- ,letter from ,t4 ,l4 ,harison1 ,esq4 #aja ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,management of ,manures on ,grain ,farms4-- ,letter from ,hon4 ,geo4 ,geddes4-- ,grain on ,dairy ,farms4-- ,sheep on ,grain ,farms4-- ,visit to ,john ,johnston4-- ,mr4 ,lawes' ,wheat-field4-- ,mr4 ,geddes and ,clover4-- ,gypsum and ,clover as ,manures4 #aaa ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,the ,cheapest ,manure a ,farmer can use4-- ,clover vs4 ,tillage4-- ,as ,plant-,food4-- ,constituents of a ,crop of ,clover1 as compared with one of ,wheat4-- ,making a ,farm ,rich by ,growing ,clover4 #abg ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,dr4 ,vlcker's ,experiments on ,clover4-- ,lawes and ,gilbert's on ,wheat4-- ,clover ,roots per ,acre4-- ,manures for ,wheat4-- ,liebig's ,manure ,theory4-- ,peruvian ,guano on ,wheat4-- ,manures and the ,quality of ,wheat4-- ,ammonia4-- ,over #ej ,bushels of ,wheat to the ,acre4 #ace ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,experiments on ,clover ,soils from ,burcott ,lodge ,farm1 ,leighton ,buzzard4-- ,soil from ,part of #aa-;acre ,field twice ,mown for ,hay4-- ,soil from do4 once ,mown for ,hay and left for ,seed4-- ,amount of ,roots left in the ,soil by different ,crops4-- ,manures for ,wheat4 #adi ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,lawes and ,gilbert's ,experiments on ,wheat4-- ,most ,valuable and ,instructive ,tables now first made accessible to the ,american ,farmer4-- ,the growth of ,wheat ,year after ,year on the same ,land1 unmanured1 with ,farm-yard ,manure1 and with various ,organic and ,inorganic ,fertilizers4 #agj ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,lime as a ,manure4-- ,prof4 ,way's ,experiments4-- ,the uses of ,lime in the ,soil4-- ,lime in this ,country4-- ,composts with ,lime4 #bae ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,manures for ,barley4-- ,composition of ,barley1 grain and straw4-- ,valuable ,tables giving the ,results of ,lawes and ,gilbert's ,experiments on the growth of ,barley1 ,year after ,year1 on the same ,land1 without ,manure1 and with different kinds of ,manure4-- ,manure and ,rotation of ,crops4 #bbg ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,manures for ,oats4-- ,experiments at ,rothamsted4-- ,experiments of ,mr4 ,bath of ,virginia4-- ,at ,moreton ,farm4 #beb ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,manures for ,potatoes4-- ,peruvian ,guano for ,potatoes4-- ,manure from different ,foods4-- ,experiments at ,moreton ,farm4-- ,mr4 ,hunter's ,experiments4 #bee ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,what ,crops should ,manure be ,applied to8-- ,how1 and ,when8-- ,john ,j4 ,thomas' manner of ,applying ,manure4-- ,top ,dressing4-- ,doct4 ,vlcker's ,experiments4 #bfe ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,manures on ,permanent ,meadows and ,pastures4-- ,experiments at ,rothamsted4 #bga ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,manures for ,special ,crops4-- ,hops4-- ,indian ,corn4-- ,turnips4-- ,mangel-,wurzel or ,sugar-,beets4-- ,cabbages1 ,parsnips1 ,lettuce1 ,onions1 etc4 #bgd ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,manures for ,gardens and ,orchards4-- ,market ,gardens4-- ,seed-growing ,farms4-- ,private ,gardens4-- ,hot-beds4-- ,manure for ,nurserymen4-- ,fruit ,growers4-- ,hen-,manure4 #bid ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,different ,kinds of ,manures4-- ,cow ,manure4-- ,sheep ,manure4-- ,buying ,manure4-- ,liquid ,manure4-- ,nightsoil and ,sewage4-- ,peruvian ,guano4-- ,salts of ,ammonia and ,nitrate of ,soda4 #cjb ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,bone-,dust and ,superphosphate of ,lime4-- ,bone furnishes ,nitrogen as well as ,phosphate of ,lime4-- ,increasing the ,availability of ,bone with ,sulphuric ,acid4 #cad ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,special ,manures4-- ,liebig's ,views4-- ,special ,manure for ,wheat and ,turnips4-- ,rothamsted ,experiments4 #cbj ,,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,value of ,fertilizers4-- ,cost per pound of the ,essential ,constituents of ,fertilizers4-- ,value of ,guanos4-- ,potash as a ,manure4 #cbd ,,chapter ,,xl4 ,restoring ,fertility to the ,soil1 a ,chapter by ,sir ,john ,bennet ,lawes4-- ,the ,treatment of a ,poor ,farm1 to ,restore it most ,profitably4-- ,meat-making the ,back-bone of the ,system4-- ,the ,use of ,sheep to ,manure the ,soil4-- ,the ,feeding of ,cotton-seed ,cake4-- ,artificial ,manures not ,profitable on ,poor ,land4-- ,the ,loss of ,nitrogen4-- ,the ,formation of ,nitric ,acid4 #cdb ,,appendix4 ,letter from ,edward ,jessop4-- ,from ,dr4 ,e4 ,l4 ,sturtevant4-- ,from ,m4 ,c4 ,weld4-- ,from ,peter ,henderson4-- ,from ,j4 ,b4 ,m4 anderson4-- ,manure ,statistics of ,long ,island4-- ,letter from ,j4 ,h4 ,rushmore4-- ,letter from ,john ,e4 ,backus4-- ,manure in ,philadelphia4-- ,various other ,letters4 #ceb ,,introduction ,,to ,,new ,,and ,,enlarged ,,edition4 ,sir ,john ,bennet ,lawes kindly consented to write a ,chapter for the new edition of this work4 ,the ,deacon1 the ,doctor1 the ,squire1 ,charlie and myself all felt flattered and somewhat bashful at finding ourselves in such distinguished company4 ,i need not say that this new ,chapter from the pen of the most eminent ,english agricultural investigator is worthy of a very careful study4 ,i have read it again and again1 and each time with great and renewed interest4 ,i could wish there was more of it4 ,but to the intelligent and well-informed reader this ,chapter will be valued not merely for what it contains1 but for what it omits4 ,a man who knew less would write more4 ,sir ,john goes straight to the mark1 and we have here his mature views on one of the most important questions in agricultural science and practice4 ,sir ,john describes a tract of poor land1 and tells us that the cheapest method of improving and enriching it is1 to keep a large breeding flock of sheep1 and feed them ,american cotton-seed cake4 ,we are pleased to find that this is in accordance with the general teaching of our 8,talks10 as given in this book several years ago4 ,when this work was first published1 some of my friends expressed surprise that ,i did not recommend the more extended use of artificial manures4 ,one thing is certain1 since that time the use of superphosphate has been greatly on the increase4 ,and it seems clear that its use must be profitable4 ,where ,i live1 in ,western ,new ,york1 it is sown quite generally on winter wheat1 and also on barley and oats in the spring4 ,on corn and potatoes1 its use is not so common4 ,whether this is because its application to these crops is not so easy1 or because it does not produce so marked an increase in the yield per acre1 ,i am unable to say4 ,our winter wheat is sown here the first1 second1 or 7rarely7 the third week in ,september4 ,we sow from one and a half to two and a quarter bushels per acre4 ,it is almost invariably sown with a drill4 ,the drill has a fertilizer attachment that distributes the superphosphate at the same time the wheat is sown4 ,the superphosphate is not mixed with the wheat1 but it drops into the same tubes with the wheat1 and is sown with it in the same drill mark4 ,in this way1 the superphosphate is deposited where the roots of the young plants can immediately find it4 ,for barley and oats the same method is adopted4 ,it will be seen that the cost of sowing superphosphate on these crops is merely nominal4 ,but for corn and potatoes1 when planted in hills1 the superphosphate must be dropped in the hill by hand1 and1 as we are almost always hurried at that season of the year1 we are impatient at anything which will delay planting even for a day4 ,the boys want to go fishing6 ,this is1 undoubtedly1 one reason why superphosphate is not used so generally with us for corn as for wheat1 barley1 and oats4 ,another reason may be1 that one hundred pounds of corn will not sell for anything like as much as one hundred pounds of wheat1 barley1 and oats4 ,we are now buying a very good superphosphate1 made from ,carolina rock phosphate1 for about one and a half cents per pound4 ,we usually drill in about two hundred pounds per acre at a cost of three dollars4 ,now1 if this gives us an increase of five bushels of wheat per acre1 worth six dollars1 we think it pays4 ,it often does far better than this4 ,last year the wheat crop of ,western ,new ,york was the best in a third of a century1 which is as far back as ,i have had anything to do with farming here4 ,from all ,i can learn1 it is doubtful if the wheat crop of ,western ,new ,york has ever averaged a larger yield per acre since the land was first cultivated after the removal of the original forest4 ,something of this is due to better methods of cultivation and tillage1 and something1 doubtless1 to the general use of superphosphate1 but much more to the favorable season4 ,the present year our wheat crop turned out exceedingly poor4 ,hundreds of acres of wheat were plowed up1 and the land resown1 and hundreds more would have been plowed up had it not been for the fact that the land was seeded with timothy grass at the time of sowing the wheat1 and with clover in the spring4 ,we do not like to lose our grass and clover4 ,dry weather in the autumn was the real cause of the poor yield of wheat this year4 ,true1 we had a very trying winter1 and a still more trying spring1 followed by dry1 cold weather4 ,the season was very backward4 ,we were not able to sow anything in the fields before the first of ,may1 and our wheat ought to have been ready to harvest in ,july4 ,on the first of ,may1 many of our wheat-fields1 especially on clay land1 looked as bare as a naked fallow4 ,there was here and there1 a good field of wheat4 ,as a rule1 it was on naturally moist land1 or after a good summer-fallow1 sown early4 ,i know of but one exception4 ,a neighboring nursery firm had a very promising field of wheat1 which was sown late4 ,but their land is rich and unusually well worked4 ,it is1 in fact1 in the very highest condition1 and1 though sown late1 the young plants were enabled to make a good strong growth in the autumn4 ,in such a dry season1 the great point is1 to get the seed to germinate1 and to furnish sufficient moisture and food to enable the young plants to make a strong1 vigorous growth of roots in the autumn4 ,i do not say that two hundred pounds of superphosphate per acre1 drilled in with the seed1 will always accomplish this object4 ,but it is undoubtedly a great help4 ,it does not furnish the nitrogen which the wheat requires1 but if it will stimulate the production of roots in the early autumn1 the plants will be much more likely to find a sufficient supply of nitrogen in the soil than plants with fewer and smaller roots4 ,in a season like the past1 therefore1 an application of two hundred pounds of superphosphate per acre1 costing three dollars1 instead of giving an increase of five or six bushels per acre1 may give us an increase of fifteen or twenty bushels per acre4 ,that is to say1 owing to the dry weather in the autumn1 followed by severe weather in the winter1 the weak plants on the unmanured land may either be killed out altogether1 or injured to such an extent that the crop is hardly worth harvesting1 while the wheat where the phosphate was sown may give us almost an average crop4 ,sir ,john ,b4 ,lawes has somewhere compared the owner of land to the owner of a coal mine4 ,the owner of the coal digs it and gets it to market in the best way he can4 ,the farmer's coal mine consists of plant food1 and the object of the farmer is to get this food into such plants1 or such parts of plants1 as his customers require4 ,it is hardly worth while for the owner of the coal mine to trouble his head about the exhaustion of the supply of coal4 ,his true plan is to dig it as economically as he can1 and get it into market4 ,there is a good deal of coal in the world1 and there is a good deal of plant food in the earth4 ,as long as the plant food lies dormant in the soil1 it is of no value to man4 ,the object of the farmer is to convert it into products which man and animals require4 ,mining for coal is a very simple matter1 but how best to get the greatest quantity of plant food out of the soil1 with the least waste and the greatest profit1 is a much more complex and difficult task4 ,plant food consists of a dozen or more different substances4 ,we have talked about them in the pages of this book1 and all ,i wish to say here is that some of them are much more abundant1 and more readily obtained1 than others4 ,the three substances most difficult to get at are3 nitric acid1 phosphoric acid and potash4 ,all these substances are in the soil1 but some soils contain much more than others1 and their relative proportion varies considerably4 ,the substance which is of the greatest importance1 is nitric acid4 ,as a rule1 the fertility of a soil is in proportion to the amount of nitric acid which becomes available for the use of plants during the growing season4 ,many of our soils contain large quantities of nitrogen1 united with carbon1 but the plants do not take it up in this form4 ,it has to be converted into nitric acid4 ,nitric acid consists of seven pounds of nitrogen and twenty pounds of oxygen4 ,it is produced by the combustion of nitrogen4 ,since these 8,talks0 were published1 several important facts have been discovered in regard to how plants take up nitrogen1 and especially in regard to how organic nitrogen is converted into nitric acid4 ,it is brought about through the action of a minute fungoid plant4 ,there are several things necessary for the growth of this plant4 ,we must have some nitrogenous substance1 a moderate degree of heat1 say from seventy to one hundred and twenty degrees1 a moderate amount of moisture1 and plenty of oxygen4 ,shade is also favorable4 ,if too hot or too cold1 or too wet or too dry1 the growth of the plant is checked1 and the formation of nitric acid suspended4 ,the presence of lime1 or of some alkali1 is also necessary for the growth of this fungus and the production of nitric acid4 ,the nitric acid unites with the lime1 and forms nitrate of lime1 or with soda to form nitrate of soda1 or with potash to form nitrate of potash1 or salt-petre4 ,a water-logged soil1 by excluding the oxygen1 destroys this plant1 hence one of the advantages of underdraining4 ,i have said that shade is favorable to the growth of this fungus1 and this fact explains and confirms the common idea that shade is manure4 ,the great object of agriculture is to convert the nitrogen of our soils1 or of green crops plowed under1 or of manure1 into nitric acid1 and then to convert this nitric acid into profitable products with as little loss as possible4 ,nitrogen1 or rather nitric acid1 is the most costly ingredient in plant food1 and unfortunately it is very easily washed out of the soil and lost4 ,perhaps it is absolutely impossible to entirely prevent all loss from leaching2 but it is certainly well worth our while to understand the subject1 and to know exactly what we are doing4 ,in a new country1 where land is cheap1 it may be more profitable to raise as large crops as possible without any regard to the loss of nitric acid4 ,but this condition of things does not last long1 and it very soon becomes desirable to adopt less wasteful processes4 ,in ,lawes and ,gilbert's experiments1 there is a great loss of nitric acid from drainage4 ,in no case has as much nitrogen been obtained in the increased crop as was applied in the manure4 ,there is always a loss and probably always will be4 ,but we should do all we can to make this loss as small as possible1 consistent with the production of profitable crops4 ,there are many ways of lessening this loss of nitric acid4 ,our farmers sow superphosphate with their wheat in the autumn1 and this stimulates1 we think1 the growth of roots1 which ramify in all directions through the soil4 ,this increased growth of root brings the plant in contact with a larger feeding surface1 and enables it to take up more nitric acid from its solution in the soil4 ,such is also the case during the winter and early spring1 when a good deal of water permeates through the soil4 ,the application of superphosphate1 unquestionably in many cases1 prevents much loss of nitric acid4 ,it does this by giving us a much greater growth of wheat4 ,i was at ,rothamsted in #ahgi1 and witnessed the injurious effect of an excessive rainfall1 in washing out of the soil nitrate of soda and salts of ammonia1 which were sown with the wheat in the autumn4 ,it was an exceedingly wet season1 and the loss of nitrates on all the different plots was very great4 ,but where the nitrates or salts of ammonia were sown in the spring1 while the crops were growing1 the loss was not nearly so great as when sown in the autumn4 ,the sight of that wheat field impressed me1 as nothing else could1 with the importance of guarding against the loss of available nitrogen from leaching1 and it has changed my practice in two or three important respects4 ,i realize1 as never before1 the importance of applying manure to crops1 rather than to the land4 ,i mean by this1 that the object of applying manure is1 not simply to make land rich1 but to make crops grow4 ,manure is a costly and valuable article1 and we want to convert it into plants1 with as little delay as possible1 which will1 directly or indirectly1 bring in some money4 ,our climate is very different from that of ,england4 ,as a rule1 we seldom have enough rain1 from the time corn is planted until it is harvested1 to more than saturate the ground on our upland soils4 ,this year is an exception4 ,on ,sunday night1 ,may #bj1 #ahhc1 we had a northeast storm which continued three days4 ,during these three days1 from three to five inches of rain fell1 and for the first time in many years1 at this season1 my underdrains discharged water to their full capacity4 ,had nitrate of soda been sown on bare land previous to this rain1 much of it would1 doubtless1 have been lost by leaching4 ,this1 however1 is an exceptional case4 ,my underdrains usually do not commence to discharge water before the first of ,december1 or continue later than the first of ,may4 ,to guard against loss of nitrogen by leaching1 therefore1 we should aim to keep rich land occupied by some crop1 during the winter and early spring1 and the earlier the crop is sown in the autumn or late summer1 the better1 so that the roots will the more completely fill the ground and take up all the available nitrogen within their reach4 ,i have said that this idea had modified my own practice4 ,i grow a considerable quantity of garden vegetables1 principally for seed4 ,it is necessary to make the land very rich4 ,the plan ,i have adopted to guard against the loss of nitrogen is this3 ,as soon as the land is cleared of any crop1 after it is too late to sow turnips1 ,i sow it with rye at the rate of one and a half to two bushels per acre4 ,on this rich land1 especially on the moist low land1 the rye makes a great growth during our warm autumn weather4 ,the rye checks the growth of weeds1 and furnishes a considerable amount of succulent food for sheep1 during the autumn or in the spring4 ,if not needed for food1 it can be turned under in the spring for manure4 ,it unquestionably prevents the loss of considerable nitric acid from leaching during the winter and early spring4 ,buckwheat1 or millet1 is sometimes sown on such land for plowing under as manure1 but as these crops are killed out by the winter1 they cannot prevent the loss of nitric acid during the winter and spring months4 ,it is only on unusually rich land that such precautions are particularly necessary4 ,it has been thought that these experiments of ,lawes and ,gilbert afford a strong argument against the use of summer-fallows4 ,i do not think so4 ,a summer-fallow1 in this country1 is usually a piece of land which has been seeded down one1 two1 and sometimes three years1 with red clover4 ,the land is plowed in ,may or ,june1 and occasionally in ,july1 and is afterwards sown to winter wheat in ,september4 ,the treatment of the summer-fallow varies in different localities and on different farms4 ,sometimes the land is only plowed once4 ,the clover1 or sod1 is plowed under deep and well1 and the after-treatment consists in keeping the surface soil free from weeds1 by the frequent use of the harrow1 roller1 cultivator or gang-plow4 ,in other cases1 especially on heavy clay land1 the first plowing is done early in the spring1 and when the sod is sufficiently rotted1 the land is cross-plowed1 and afterwards made fine and mellow by the use of the roller1 harrow1 and cultivator4 ,just before sowing the wheat1 many good1 old-fashioned farmers1 plow the land again4 ,but in this section1 a summer-fallow1 plowed two or three times during the summer1 is becoming more and more rare every year4 ,those farmers who summer-fallow at all1 as a rule1 plow their land but once1 and content themselves with mere surface cultivation afterwards4 ,it is undoubtedly true1 also1 that summer fallows of all kinds are by no means as common as formerly4 ,this fact may be considered an argument against the use of summer-fallowing2 but it is not conclusive in my mind4 ,patient waiting is not a characteristic of the age4 ,we are inclined to take risks4 ,we prefer to sow our land to oats1 or barley1 and run the chance of getting a good wheat crop after it1 rather than to spend several months in cleaning and mellowing the land1 simply to grow one crop of wheat4 ,it has always seemed to me entirely unnecessary to urge farmers not to summer-fallow4 ,we all naturally prefer to see the land occupied by a good paying crop1 rather than to spend time1 money1 and labor1 in preparing it to produce a crop twelve or fifteen months afterwards4 ,yet some of the agricultural editors and many of the agricultural writers1 seem to take delight in deriding the old-fashioned summer-fallow4 ,the fact that ,lawes and ,gilbert in ,england find that1 when land contains considerable nitric acid1 the water which percolates through the soil to the underdrains beneath1 contains more nitrate of lime when the land is not occupied by a crop1 than when the roots of growing plants fill the soil1 is deemed positive proof that summer-fallowing is a wasteful practice4 ,if we summer-fallowed for a spring crop1 as ,i have sometimes done1 it is quite probable that there would be a loss of nitrogen4 ,but1 as ,i have said before1 it is very seldom that any water passes through the soil from the time we commence the summer-fallow until the wheat is sown in the autumn1 or for many weeks afterwards4 ,the nitrogen1 which is converted into nitric acid by the agency of a good summer-fallow1 is no more liable to be washed out of the soil after the field is sown to wheat in the autumn1 than if we applied the nitrogen in the form of some readily available manure4 ,i still believe in summer fallows4 ,if ,i had my life to live over again1 ,i would certainly summer-fallow more than ,i have done4 ,i have been an agricultural writer for one-third of a century1 and have persistently advocated the more extended use of the summer-fallow4 ,i have nothing to take back1 unless it is what ,i have said in reference to 8fall-fallowing40 ,possibly this practice may result in loss1 though ,i do not think so4 ,a good summer-fallow1 on rather heavy clay land1 if the conditions are otherwise favorable1 is pretty sure to give us a good crop of wheat1 and a good crop of clover and grass afterwards4 ,of course1 a farmer who has nice1 clean sandy soil1 will not think of summer-fallowing it4 ,such soils are easily worked1 and it is not a difficult matter to keep them clean without summer-fallowing4 ,such soils1 however1 seldom contain a large store of unavailable plant food1 and instead of summer-fallowing1 we had better manure4 ,on such soils artificial manures are often very profitable1 though barn-yard manure1 or the droppings of animals feeding on the land1 should be the prime basis of all attempts to maintain1 or increase1 the productiveness of such soils4 ,since this book was first published1 ,i do not know of any new facts in regard to the important question of1 how best to manage and apply our barn-yard manure1 so as to make it more immediately active and available4 ,it is unquestionably true1 that the same amount of nitrogen in barn-yard manure1 will not produce so great an effect as its theoretical value would indicate4 ,there can be no doubt1 however1 that the better we feed our animals1 and the more carefully we save the liquids1 the more valuable and active will be the manure4 ,the conversion of the inert nitrogen of manures and soils1 into nitric acid1 as already stated1 is now known to be produced by a minute fungus4 ,i hope it will be found that we can introduce this bacterium into our manure piles1 in such a way as to greatly aid the conversion of inert nitrogen into nitrates4 ,experiments have been made1 and are still continued1 at ,woburn1 under the auspices of the ,royal ,agricultural ,society of ,england1 to ascertain1 among other things1 whether manure from sheep receiving an allowance of cotton-seed cake is any richer than that from sheep1 otherwise fed alike1 but having1 instead of cotton-seed cake1 the same amount of corn meal4 ,we know that such manure contains more nitrogen1 and other plant food1 than that from the corn meal4 ,but the experiments so far1 though they have been continued for several years1 do not show any striking superiority of the manure from cotton-seed cake over that from corn meal4 ,i saw the wheat on these differently manured plots in #ahgi4 ,dr4 ,vlcker and ,dr4 ,gilbert1 told me that1 one of two plots was dressed with the cotton-seed manure1 and the other with the corn meal manure1 and they wanted me to say which was the most promising crop4 ,i believe the one ,i said was the better1 was the cotton-seed plot4 ,but the difference was very slight4 ,the truth is that such experiments must be continued for many years before they will prove anything4 ,as ,i said before1 we know that the manure from the cotton-seed cake is richer in nitrogen than that from the corn meal2 but we also know that this nitrogen will not produce so great an effect1 as a much smaller amount of nitrogen in salts of ammonia1 or nitrate of soda4 ,in going over these experiments1 ,i was struck with the healthy and vigorous appearance of one of the plots of wheat1 and asked how it was manured4 ,dr4 ,vlcker called out1 8clover1 ,mr4 ,harris1 clover40 ,in ,england1 as in ,america1 it requires very little observation and experience to convince any one of the value of clover4 ,after what ,i have said1 and what the ,deacon1 the ,doctor1 ,charley and the ,squire have said1 in the pages of this book1 ,i hope no one will think that ,i do not appreciate the great value of red clover as a means of enriching our land4 ,dr4 ,vlcker evidently thought ,i was skeptical on this point4 ,i am not4 ,i have great faith in the benefits to be derived from the growth of clover4 ,but ,i do not think it originates fertility2 it does not get nitrogen from the atmosphere4 ,or at any rate1 we have no evidence of it4 ,the facts are all the other way4 ,we have discussed this question at considerable length in the pages of this book1 and it is not necessary to say more on the subject4 ,i would1 however1 particularly urge farmers1 especially those who are using phosphates freely1 to grow as much clover as possible1 and feed it out on the farm1 or plow it under for manure4 ,the question is frequently asked1 whether the use of phosphates will ultimately impoverish our farms4 ,it may1 or it may not4 ,it depends on our general management4 ,theoretically1 the use of a manure furnishing only one element of plant food1 if it increases the growth of crops which are sold from the farm1 must have a tendency to impoverish the land of the other elements of plant food4 ,in other words1 the use of superphosphate furnishing only1 or principally1 phosphoric acid1 lime and sulphuric acid1 must have a tendency to impoverish the soil of nitrogen and potash4 ,practically1 however1 it need do nothing of the kind4 ,if the land is well cultivated1 and if our low1 rich1 alluvial portions of the farm are drained1 and if the hay1 grass1 clover1 straw and fodder crops are retained1 the more phosphates we use1 the richer and more productive will the farm become4 ,and ,i think it is a fact1 that the farmers who use the most phosphates1 are the very men who take the greatest pains to drain their land1 cultivate it thoroughly1 and make the most manure4 ,it follows1 therefore1 that the use of phosphates is a national benefit4 ,some of our railroad managers take this view of the subject4 ,they carry superphosphate at a low rate1 knowing that its use will increase the freight the other way4 ,in other words1 they bring a ton of superphosphate from the seaboard1 knowing that its use will give them many tons of freight of produce1 from the interior to the seaboard4 ,it is not an uncommon thing for two hundred pounds of superphosphate1 to give an increase of five tons of turnips per acre4 ,or1 so to speak1 the railroad that brings one ton of superphosphate from the seaboard1 might1 as the result of its use1 have fifty tons of freight to carry back again4 ,this is perhaps an exceptionably favorable instance1 but it illustrates the principle4 ,years ago1 before the abolition of tolls on the ,english turnpike roads1 carriages loaded with lime1 and all other substances intended for manure1 were allowed to go free4 ,and our railroads will find it to their interest to transport manures of all kinds1 at a merely nominal rate4 ,many people will be surprised at the recommendation of ,sir ,john ,b4 ,lawes1 not to waste time and money in cleaning poor land1 before seeding it down to grass4 ,he thinks that if the land is made rich1 the superior grasses overgrow the bad grasses and weeds4 ,i have no doubt he is right in this1 though the principle may be pushed to an extreme4 ,our climate1 in this country1 is so favorable for killing weeds1 that the plow and the cultivator will probably be a more economical means of making our land clean1 than the liberal use of expensive manures4 ,it depends1 doubtless1 on the land and on circumstances4 ,it is well to know that manure on grass land1 will so increase the growth of the good grasses1 as to smother the weeds4 ,near my house was a piece of land that ,i wanted to make into a lawn4 ,i sowed it with grass seed1 but the weeds smothered it out4 ,i plowed it1 and hoed it1 and re-seeded it1 but still the weeds grew4 ,mallows came up by the thousand1 with other weeds too numerous to mention4 ,it was an eye-sore4 ,we mowed the weeds1 but almost despaired of ever making a decent bit of grass land out of it4 ,it so happened that1 one year1 we placed the chicken coops on this miserable weedy spot4 ,the hens and chickens were kept there for several weeks4 ,the feed and the droppings made it look more unsightly than ever1 but the next spring1 as if by magic1 the weeds were gone and the land was covered with dark green luxuriant grass4 ,in regard to the use of potash as a manure1 we have still much to learn4 ,it would seem that our grain crops will use soda1 if they cannot get potash4 ,they much prefer the potash1 and will grow much more luxuriantly where1 in the soil or manure1 in addition to the other elements of plant food1 potash is abundant4 ,but the increased growth caused by the potash1 is principally1 if not entirely1 straw1 or leaves and stem4 ,nature makes a great effort to propagate the species4 ,a plant of wheat or barley1 will produce seed if this is possible1 even at the expense of the other parts of the plant4 ,for grain crops1 grown for seed1 therefore1 it would seem to be entirely unprofitable to use potash as a manure4 ,if the soil contains the other elements of plant food1 the addition of potash may give us a much more luxuriant growth of leaves and stem1 but no more grain or seed4 ,for hay1 or grass or fodder crops1 the case is very different1 and potash may often be used on these crops to great advantage4 ,i am inclined to think that considerable nitrate of soda will yet be used in this country for manure4 ,i do not suppose it will pay as a rule1 on wheat1 corn and other standard grain crops4 ,but the gardener1 seed grower1 and nurseryman1 will find out how to use it with great profit4 ,our nurserymen say that they cannot use artificial manures with any advantage4 ,it is undoubtedly true that a dressing of superphosphate1 sown on a block of nursery trees1 will do little good4 ,it never reaches the roots of the plants4 ,superphosphate can not be washed down deep into the soil4 ,nitrate of soda is readily carried down1 as deep as the water sinks4 ,for trees1 therefore1 it would seem desirable to apply the superphosphate before they are planted1 and plow it under4 ,and the same is true of potash2 but nitrate of soda would be better applied as a top-dressing every year1 early in the spring4 ,the most discouraging fact1 in ,lawes' and ,gilbert's experiments1 is the great loss of nitrogen4 ,it would seem that1 on an average1 during the last forty years1 about one-half the nitrogen is washed out of the soil1 or otherwise lost4 ,i can not but hope and believe that1 at any rate in this country1 there is no such loss in practical agriculture4 ,in ,lawes' and ,gilbert's experiments on wheat1 this grain is grown year after year1 on the same land4 ,forty annual crops have been removed4 ,no clover is sown with the wheat1 and great pains are taken to keep the land clean4 ,the crop is hoed while growing1 and the weeds are pulled out by hand4 ,the best wheat season during the forty years1 was the year #ahfc4 ,the poorest1 that of #ahgi2 and it so happened1 that after an absence of thirty years1 ,i was at ,rothamsted during this poor year of #ahgi4 ,the first thing that struck me1 in looking at the experimental wheat1 was the ragged appearance of the crop4 ,my own wheat crop was being cut the day ,i left home1 ,july #ae4 ,several men and boys were pulling weeds out of the experimental wheat1 two weeks later4 ,had the weeds been suffered to grow1 ,sir ,john ,bennet ,lawes tells us1 there would be less loss of nitrogen4 ,the loss of nitrogen in #ahfc1 was about twenty-four pounds per acre1 and in #ahgi fifty pounds per acre--the amount of available nitrogen1 applied in each year1 being eighty-seven pounds per acre4 ,as ,i said before1 the wheat in #ahgi had to me a ragged look4 ,it was thin on the ground4 ,there were not plants enough to take up and evaporate the large amount of water which fell during the wet season4 ,such a condition of things rarely occurs in this country4 ,we sow timothy with our winter wheat1 in the autumn1 and red clover in the spring4 ,after the wheat is harvested1 we frequently have a heavy growth of clover in the autumn4 ,in such circumstances ,i believe there would be comparatively little loss of nitrogen4 ,in the summer-fallow experiments1 which have now been continued for twenty-seven years1 there has been a great loss of nitrogen4 ,the same remarks apply to this case4 ,no one ever advocates summer-fallowing land every other year1 and sowing nothing but wheat4 ,when we summer-fallow a piece of land for wheat1 we seed it down with grass and clover4 ,there is1 as a rule1 very little loss of nitrogen by drainage while the wheat is growing on the ground1 but after the wheat is cut1 the grass and clover are pretty sure to take up all the available nitrogen within the range of their roots4 ,this summer-fallow experiment1 instead of affording an argument against the use of summer-fallowing1 is an argument in its favor4 ,the summer-fallow1 by exposing the soil to the decomposing influences of the atmosphere1 converts more or less of the inert nitrogenous organic matter into ammonia and nitric acid4 ,this is precisely what a farmer wants4 ,it is just what the wheat crop needs4 ,but we must be very careful1 when we render the nitrogen soluble1 to have some plant ready to take it up1 and not let it be washed out of the soil during the winter and early spring4 ,we have much poor land in the ,united ,states1 and an immense area of good land4 ,the poor land will be used to grow timber1 or be improved by converting more or less of it1 gradually1 into pasture1 and stocking it with sheep and cattle4 ,the main point is1 to feed the sheep or cattle with some rich nitrogenous food1 such as cotton-seed cake1 malt-sprouts1 bran1 shorts1 mill-feed1 refuse beans1 or bean-meal made from beans injured by the weevil1 or bug4 ,in short1 the owner of such land must buy such food as will furnish the most nutriment and make the richest manure at the least cost--taking both of these objects into consideration4 ,he will also buy more or less artificial manures1 to be used for the production of fodder crops1 such as corn1 millet1 ,hungarian grass1 etc4 and1 as soon as a portion of the land can be made rich enough1 he will grow more or less mangel wurzels1 sugar beets1 turnips1 and other root crops4 ,superphosphate will be found admirably adapted for this purpose1 and two1 three1 or four hundred pounds of cheap potash salts1 per acre1 can frequently be used on fodder crops1 in connection with two or three hundred pounds of superphosphate1 with considerable profit4 ,the whole subject is well worthy of careful study4 ,never in the history of the world has there been a grander opportunity for the application of science to the improvement of agriculture than now4 ,on the richer lands1 the aim of the farmer will be to convert the plant food lying dormant in the soil into profitable crops4 ,the main point is good tillage4 ,in many cases weeds now run away with half our crops and all our profits4 ,the weeds which spring up after the grain crops are harvested1 are not an unmixed evil4 ,they retain the nitrogen and other plant food1 and when turned under make manure for the succeeding crops4 ,but weeds among the growing crop are evil1 and only an evil4 ,thorough plowing is the remedy1 accompanied by drainage where needed4 ,we have an immense number of farms on which there are both good and poor land4 ,in such cases we must adopt a combined system4 ,we must grow large crops on the rich land and use them1 at least in part1 to make manure for the poorer portions of the farm4 ,drainage and good tillage will convert much of our low1 alluvial lands into a perfect mine of wealth4 ,and much of our high1 rolling land consists of strong loam1 abounding in plant food4 ,such land requires little more than thorough tillage1 with perhaps two hundred pounds of superphosphate per acre1 to enable it to produce good grain crops4 ,after all is said and done1 farming is a business that requires not merely science1 but industry1 economy1 and common sense4 ,the real basis of success is faith1 accompanied with good works4 ,i cannot illustrate this better than by alluding to one of my neighbors1 a strong1 healthy1 intelligent1 observing and enterprising ,german1 who commenced life as a farm laborer1 and is to-day worth at least one hundred thousand dollars1 that he has made1 not by the advance of suburban property1 but by farming1 pure and simple4 ,he first rented a farm1 and then bought it1 and in a few years he bought another farm adjoining the first one1 and would to-day buy another if he found one that suited him4 ,he has faith in farming4 ,some people think he 8runs his land10 and1 in fact1 such is the case4 ,he keeps good teams1 and good plows1 and good harrows1 and good rollers1 and good cultivators1 and good grade ,shorthorn cows4 ,he acts as though he believed1 as ,sir ,john ,b4 ,lawes says1 that 8the soil is a mine10 out of which he digs money4 ,he runs his land for all it is worth4 ,he raises wheat1 barley1 oats1 corn1 potatoes1 and hay1 and when he can get a good price for his timothy hay1 he draws it to market and sells it4 ,thorough tillage is the basis of his success4 ,he is now using phosphates for wheat1 and will probably increase his herd of cows and make more manure4 ,he has great faith in manure1 but acts as though he had still greater faith in good plowing1 early sowing1 and thorough cultivation4 ,,preface ,,to ,,first ,,edition4 ,the ,printers have got our 8,talks on ,manures0 in type2 and the publishers want a ,preface4 ,the ,deacon is busy hoeing his corn2 the ,doctor is gone to ,rice ,lake1 fishing2 ,charley is cultivating mangels2 the ,squire is haying1 and ,i am here alone1 with a pencil in hand and a sheet of blank paper before me4 ,i would far rather be at work4 ,in fact1 ,i have only just come in from the field4 ,now1 what shall ,i say8 ,it will do no good to apologize for the deficiencies of the book4 ,if the critics condescend to notice it at all1 nothing ,i can say will propitiate their favor1 or moderate their censure4 ,they are an independent set of fellows6 ,i know them well1 ,i am an old editor myself1 and nothing would please me better than to sit down and write a slashing criticism of these 8,talks on ,manures40 ,but ,i am denied that pleasure4 ,the critics have the floor4 ,all ,i will say here1 is1 that the book is what it pretends to be4 ,some people seem to think that the 8,deacon0 is a fictitious character4 ,nothing of the kind4 ,he is one of the oldest farmers in town1 and lives on the farm next to me4 ,i have the very highest respect for him4 ,i have tried to report him fully and correctly4 ,of my own share in the conversations ,i will say little1 and of the ,doctor's nothing4 ,my own views are honestly given4 ,i hold myself responsible for them4 ,i may contradict in one chapter what ,i have asserted in another4 ,and so1 probably1 has the ,deacon4 ,i do not know whether this is or is not the case4 ,i know very well that on many questions 8much can be said on both sides0--and very likely the ,deacon is sometimes on the south side of the fence and ,i on the north side2 and in the next chapter you may find the ,deacon on the north side1 and where would you have me go1 except to the south side8 ,we cannot see both sides of the fence1 if both of us walk on the same side6 ,i fear some will be disappointed at not finding a particular subject discussed4 ,i have talked about those things which occupy my own thoughts4 ,there are some things not worth thinking about4 ,there are others beyond my reach4 ,i have said nothing about manures for cotton or for the sugar-cane--not because ,i feel no interest in the matter1 but because ,i have had no experience in the cultivation of these important crops4 ,i might have told what the crops contain1 and could have given minute directions for furnishing in manure the exact quantity of plant-food which the crops remove from the soil4 ,but ,i have no faith in such a system of farming4 ,the few cotton-planters ,i have had the pleasure of seeing were men of education and rare ability4 ,i cannot undertake to offer them advice4 ,but ,i presume they will find that1 if they desire to increase the growth of the cotton-plant1 in nine cases out of ten they can do it1 provided the soil is properly worked1 by supplying a manure containing available nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash4 ,but the proper proportion of these ingredients of plant-food must be ascertained by experiment1 and not from a mere analysis of the cotton-plant4 ,i have much faith in artificial manures4 ,they will do great things for ,american agriculture--directly1 and indirectly4 ,their general use will lead to a higher system of farming--to better cultivation1 more root and fodder crops1 improved stock1 higher feeding1 and richer manure4 ,but it has been no part of my object to unduly extol the virtues of commercial manures4 ,that may be left to the manufacturers4 ,my sympathy is with the farmer1 and especially with the farmer of moderate means1 who finds that improved farming calls for more and more capital4 ,i would like to encourage such a man4 ,and so1 in point of fact1 would the ,deacon1 though he often talks as though a man who tries to improve his farm will certainly come to poverty4 ,such men as the ,deacon are useful neighbors if their doubts1 and head-shakings1 and shoulder-shruggings lead a young and enthusiastic farmer to put more energy1 industry1 and economy into his business4 ,it is well to listen to the ,deacon--to hear all his objections1 and then to keep a sharp look-out for the dangers and difficulties1 and go-ahead4 ,,talks ,,on ,,manures4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,farming ,,as ,a ,,business4 8,farming is a poor business10 said the ,deacon4 8,take the corn crop4 ,thirty bushels per acre is a fair average1 worth1 at #ge cents per bushel1 #bb4ej4 ,if we reckon that1 for each bushel of corn1 we get #ajj lbs4 of stalks1 this would be a ton and a half per acre1 worth at #e per ton #g4ej40 ,total receipts per acre for corn crop #cj #jj ,expenses4--,preparing the land for the crop #e #jj ,planting and seed #a #ej ,cultivating1 three times1 twice in a row both ways #e #jj ,hoeing twice #c #jj ,cutting up the corn #a #ej ,husking and drawing in the corn #d #jj ,drawing in the stalks1 etc4 #a #jj ,shelling1 and drawing to market #b #jj ,total cost of the crop ----- #bc #jj ------ ,profit per acre #g #jj 8,and from this10 said the ,deacon1 8we have to deduct interest on land and taxes4 ,i tell you1 farming is a poor business40 8,yes10 ,i replied1 8poor farming is a very poor business4 ,but good farming1 if we have good prices1 is as good a business as ,i want1 and withal as pleasant4 ,a good farmer raises #ge bushels of corn per acre1 instead of #cj4 ,he would get for his crop1 including stalks #ge #jj ,expenses4--,preparing land for the crop #e #jj ,planting and seed #a #ej ,cultivating #e #jj ,hoeing #c #jj ,cutting up the corn #a #ej ,husking and drawing #aj #jj ,drawing in the stalks #c #jj ,shelling1 etc4 #f #jj ----- #ce #jj ------ ,profit per acre #dj #jj ,take another case1 which actually occurred in this neighborhood4 ,the ,judge is a good farmer1 and particularly successful in raising potatoes and selling them at a good price to hotels and private families4 ,he cultivates very thoroughly1 plants in hills1 and puts a handful of ashes1 plaster1 and hen-manure1 on the hill4 ,in #ahgc1 his crop of ,peachblows was at the rate of #bjh bushels per acre4 ,of these1 #bjj bushels were sold at #fj cents per bushel4 ,there were #h bushels of small potatoes1 worth say #ab cents per bushel1 to feed out to stock4 ,mr4 ,sloe1 who lives on an adjoining farm1 had three acres of ,peachblow potatoes the same year4 ,the yield was #ajj bushels per acre--of which #be bushels were not large enough for market1 he got #ej cents per bushel for the others4 ,the account of the two crops stands as follows3 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,expenses ,per ,acre3 ,mr4 ,sloe ,judge4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,plowing1 harrowing1 rolling1 marking1 planting and covering #h #jj #h #jj ,seed #e #jj #e #jj ,hoeing1 cultivating1 etc4 #g #jj #aj #jj ,digging #aj #jj #aj #jj ------------------- #cj #jj #cc #jj ,receipts ,per ,acre3 #ge bushels1 #ej;c #cg #ej #be 0 #ab;c #c #ab ------------------- #dj #fb #bjj bushels1 #fj;c #abj #jj #h 0 #ab;c #a #jj --------- #aba #jj ------------------- ,profit per acre #aj #fb #ih #jj ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,since then1 ,mr4 ,sloe has been making and using more manure1 and the year before last 7#ahge7 his crop of potatoes averaged over #bjj bushels per acre1 and on the sandy knolls1 where more manure was applied1 the yield was at least #bej bushels per acre4 8,nevertheless10 said the ,deacon1 8,i do not believe in #8high farming4' ,it will not pay40 8,possibly not10 ,i replied4 8,it depends on circumstances2 and these we will talk about presently4 ,high farming aims to get large crops every year4 ,good farming produces equally large crops per acre1 but not so many of them4 ,this is what ,i am trying to do on my own farm4 ,i am aiming to get #ce bushels of wheat per acre1 #hj bushels of shelled corn1 #ej bushels of barley1 #ij bushels of oats1 #cjj bushels of potatoes1 and #a1bjj bushels of mangel-wurzel per acre1 on the average4 ,i can see no way of paying high wages except by raising large crops per acre4 ,but if ,i get these large crops it does not necessarily follow that ,i am practising #8high farming4'0 ,to illustrate3 ,suppose ,i should succeed in getting such crops by adopting the following plan4 ,i have a farm of nearly #cjj acres1 one quarter of it being low1 alluvial land1 too wet for cultivation1 but when drained excellent for pasturing cows or for timothy meadows4 ,i drain this land1 and after it is drained ,i dam up some of the streams that flow into it or through it1 and irrigate wherever ,i can make the water flow4 ,so much for the low land4 ,the upland portion of the farm1 containing say #bjj acres1 exclusive of fences1 roads1 buildings1 garden1 etc41 is a naturally fertile loam1 as good as the average wheat land of ,western ,new ,york4 ,but it is1 or was1 badly 8run down40 ,it had been what people call 8worked to death20 although1 in point of fact1 it had not been half-worked4 ,some said it was 8wheated to death10 others that it had been 8oated to death10 others that it had been 8grassed to death10 and one man said to me1 8,that field has had sheep on it until they have gnawed every particle of vegetable matter out of the soil1 and it will not now produce enough to pasture a flock of geese40 ,and he was not far from right--notwithstanding the fact that sheep are thought to be1 and are1 the best animals to enrich land4 ,but let me say1 in passing1 that ,i have since raised on that same field #ej bushels of barley per acre1 #cc bushels of ,diehl wheat1 a great crop of clover1 and last year1 on a part of it1 over #a1jjj bushels of mangel-wurzel per acre4 ,but this is a digression4 ,let us carry out the illustration4 ,what does this upland portion of the farm need8 ,it needs underdraining1 thorough cultivation1 and plenty of manure4 ,if ,i had plenty of manure1 ,i could adopt high farming4 ,but where am ,i to get plenty of manure for #bjj acres of land8 8,make it10 says the ,deacon4 ,very good2 but what shall ,i make it of8 8,make it out of your straw and stalks and hay40 ,so ,i do1 but all the straw and stalks and hay raised on the farm when ,i bought it would not make as much manure as 8high farming0 requires for five acres of land4 ,and is this not true of half the farms in the ,united ,states to-day8 ,what then1 shall we do8 ,the best thing to do1 theoretically1 is this3 ,any land that is producing a fair crop of grass or clover1 let it lie4 ,pasture it or mow it for hay4 ,if you have a field of clayey or stiff loamy land1 break it up in the fall1 and summer-fallow it the next year1 and sow it to wheat and seed it down with clover4 ,let it lie two or three years in clover4 ,then break it up in ,july or ,august1 8fall-fallow0 it1 and sow it with barley the next spring1 and seed it down again with clover4 ,sandy or light land1 that it will not pay to summer-fallow1 should have all the manure you can make1 and be plowed and planted with corn4 ,cultivate thoroughly1 and either seed it down with the corn in ,august1 or sow it to barley or oats next spring1 and seed it down with clover4 ,i say1 theoretically this is the best plan to adopt4 ,but practically it may not be so1 because it may be absolutely necessary that we should raise something that we can sell at once1 and get money to live upon or pay interest and taxes4 ,but the gentlemen who so strenuously advocate high farming1 are not perhaps often troubled with considerations of this kind4 ,meeting them1 therefore1 on their own ground1 ,i contend that in my case 8high farming0 would not be as profitable as the plan hinted at above4 ,the rich alluvial low land is to be pastured or mown2 the upland to be broken up only when necessary1 and when it is plowed to be plowed well and worked thoroughly1 and got back again into clover as soon as possible4 ,the hay and pasture from the low land1 and the clover and straw and stalks from the upland1 would enable us to keep a good many cows and sheep1 with more or less pigs1 and there would be a big pile of manure in the yard every spring4 ,and when this is once obtained1 you can get along much more pleasantly and profitably4 8,but10 ,i may be asked1 8when you have got this pile of manure can not you adopt high farming80 ,no4 ,my manure pile would contain say3 #fj tons of clover-hay2 #bj tons wheat-straw2 #be tons oat1 barley1 and pea-straw2 #dj tons meadow-hay2 #bj tons corn-stalks2 #bj tons corn1 oats1 and other grain2 #abj tons mangel-wurzel and turnips4 ,this would give me about #ejj tons of well-rotted manure4 ,i should want #bjj tons of this for the mangels and turnips1 and the #cjj tons ,i should want to top-dress #bj acres of grass land intended for corn and potatoes the next year4 ,my pile of manure1 therefore1 is all used up on #be to #cj acres of land4 ,in other words1 ,i use the unsold produce of #aj acres to manure one4 ,is this 8high farming80 ,i think in my circumstances it is good farming1 but it is not high farming4 ,it gives me large crops per acre1 but ,i have comparatively few acres in crops that are sold from the farm4 8,high farming10 if the term is to have any definite meaning at all should only be used to express the idea of a farm so managed that the soil is rich enough to produce maximum crops every year4 ,if you adopt the system of rotation quite general in this section--say1 #ast year1 corn on sod2 #b;d1 barley or oats2 #c;d1 wheat2 #dth1 clover for hay and afterwards for seed2 #eth1 timothy and clover for hay2 and then the #fth year plowed up for corn again--it would be necessary to make the land rich enough to produce say #ajj bushels shelled corn1 #ej bushels of barley1 #dj bushels of wheat1 #c tons clover-hay1 and #e bushels of clover-seed1 and #c tons clover and timothy-hay per acre4 ,this would be moderate high farming4 ,if we introduced lucern1 ,italian rye-grass1 corn-fodder1 and mangel-wurzel into the rotation1 we should need still richer land to produce a maximum growth of these crops4 ,in other words1 we should need more manure4 ,the point ,i am endeavoring to get at1 is this3 ,where you want a farm to be self-supporting--where you depend solely on the produce of the farm to supply manure--it is a sheer impossibility to adopt high farming on the whole of your land4 ,i want to raise just as large crops per acre as the high farmers1 but there is no way of doing this1 unless we go outside the farm for manure1 without raising a smaller area of such crops as are sold from the farm4 ,i do not wish any one to suppose that ,i am opposed to high farming4 ,there is occasionally a farm where it may be practised with advantage1 but it seems perfectly clear to my mind that as long as there is such an unlimited supply of land1 and such a limited supply of fertilizers1 most of us will find it more profitable to develop the latent stores of plant-food lying dormant in the soil rather than to buy manures4 ,and it is certain that you can not adopt high farming without either buying manure directly1 or buying food to feed to animals that shall make manure on the farm4 ,and you must recollect that high farming requires an increased supply of labor1 and hired help is a luxury almost as costly as artificial fertilizers4 ,we have heard superficial thinkers object to agricultural papers on the ground that they were urging farmers to improve their land and produce larger crops1 8while10 say they1 8we are producing so much already that it will not sell for as much as it costs to produce it40 ,my plan of improved agriculture does not necessarily imply the production of any more wheat or of any more grain of any kind that we sell than we raise at present4 ,i would simply raise it on fewer acres1 and thus lessen the expense for seed1 cultivation1 harvesting1 etc4 ,i would raise #cj bushels of wheat per acre every third year1 instead of #aj bushels every year4 ,if we summer-fallowed and plowed under clover in order to produce the #cj bushels of wheat once in three years1 instead of #aj bushels every year1 no more produce of any kind would be raised4 ,but my plan does not contemplate such a result4 ,on my own farm ,i seldom summer-fallow1 and never plow under clover4 ,i think ,i can enrich the farm nearly as much by feeding the clover to animals and returning the manure to the land4 ,the animals do not take out more than from five to ten per cent of the more valuable elements of plant-food from the clover4 ,and so my plan1 while it produces as much and no more grain to sell1 adds greatly to the fertility of the land1 and gives an increased production of beef1 mutton1 wool1 butter1 cheese1 and pork4 8,but what is a man to do who is poor and has poor land80 ,if he has good health1 is industrious1 economical1 and is possessed of a fair share of good common sense1 he need have no doubt as to being able to renovate his farm and improve his own fortune4 ,faith in good farming is the first requisite4 ,if this is weak1 it will be strengthened by exercise4 ,if you have not faith1 act as though you had4 ,work hard1 but do not be a drudge4 ,a few hours' vigorous labor will accomplish a great deal1 and encourage you to continued effort4 ,be prompt1 systematic1 cheerful1 and enthusiastic4 ,go to bed early and get up when you wake4 ,but take sleep enough4 ,a man had better be in bed than at the tavern or grocery4 ,let not friends1 even1 keep you up late2 8manners is manners1 but still your elth's your elth40 8,but what has this to do with good farming80 ,more than chemistry and all the science of the schools4 ,agriculture is an art and must be followed as such4 ,science will help--help enormously--but it will never enable us to dispense with industry4 ,chemistry throws great light on the art of cooking1 but a farmer's wife will roast a turkey better than a ,liebig4 ,when ,mr4 ,james ,o4 ,sheldon1 of ,geneva4 ,n4,y41 bought his farm1 his entire crop of hay the first year was #gf loads4 ,he kept stock1 and bought more or less grain and bran1 and in eleven years from that time his farm produced #dcj loads of hay1 afforded pasture for his large herd of ,shorthorn cattle1 and produced quite as much grain as when he first took it4 ,except in the neighborhood of large cities1 8high farming0 may not pay1 owing to the fact that we have so much land4 ,but whether this is so or not1 there can be no doubt that the only profitable system of farming is to raise large crops on such land as we cultivate4 ,high farming gives us large crops1 and many of them4 ,at present1 while we have so much land in proportion to population1 we must1 perhaps1 be content with large crops of grain1 and few of them4 ,we must adopt the slower but less expensive means of enriching our land from natural sources1 rather than the quicker1 more artificial1 and costly means adopted by many farmers in ,england1 and by market gardeners1 seed-growers1 and nurserymen in this country4 ,labor is so high that we can not afford to raise a small crop4 ,if we sow but half the number of acres1 and double the yield1 we should quadruple our profits4 ,i have made up my mind to let the land lie in clover three years1 instead of two4 ,this will lessen the number of acres under cultivation1 and enable us to bestow more care in plowing and cleaning it4 ,and the land will be richer1 and produce better crops4 ,the atmosphere is capable of supplying a certain quantity of ammonia to the soil in rains and dews every year1 and by giving the wheat crop a three years supply instead of two years1 we gain so much4 ,plaster the clover1 top-dress it in the fall1 if you have the manure1 and stimulate its growth in every way possible1 and consume all the clover on the land1 or in the barn-yard4 ,do not sell a single ton2 let not a weed grow1 and the land will certainly improve4 ,the first object should be to destroy weeds4 ,i do not know how it is in other sections1 but with us the majority of farms are completely overrun with weeds4 ,they are eating out the life of the land1 and if something is not done to destroy them1 even exorbitantly high prices can not make farming profitable4 ,a farmer yesterday was contending that it did not pay to summer-fallow4 ,he has taken a run-down farm1 and a year ago last spring he plowed up ten acres of a field1 and sowed it to barley and oats4 ,the remainder of the field he summer-fallowed1 plowing it four times1 rolling and harrowing thoroughly after each plowing4 ,after the barley and oats were off1 he plowed the land once1 harrowed it and sowed ,mediterranean wheat4 ,on the summer-fallow he drilled in ,diehl wheat4 ,he has just threshed1 and got #bb bushels per acre of ,mediterranean wheat after the spring crop1 at one plowing1 and #bf bushels per acre of ,diehl wheat on the summer-fallow4 ,this1 he said1 would not pay1 as it cost him #bj per acre to summer-fallow1 and he lost the use of the land for one season4 ,now this may be all true1 and yet it is no argument against summer-fallowing4 ,wait a few years4 ,farming is slow work4 ,mr4 ,george ,geddes remarked to me1 when ,i told him ,i was trying to renovate a run-down farm1 8you will find it the work of your life40 ,we ought not to expect a big crop on poor1 run-down land1 simply by plowing it three or four times in as many months4 ,time is required for the chemical changes to take place in the soil4 ,but watch the effect on the clover for the next two years1 and when the land is plowed again1 see if it is not in far better condition than the part not summer-fallowed4 ,i should expect the clover on the summer-fallow to be fully one-third better in quantity1 and of better quality than on the other part1 and this extra quantity of clover will make an extra quantity of good manure1 and thus we have the means of going on with the work of improving the farm4 8,yes10 said the ,doctor1 8and there will also be more clover-roots in the soil40 8,but ,i can not afford to wait for clover1 and summer-fallowing10 writes an intelligent ,new ,york gentleman1 a dear lover of good stock1 who has bought an exhausted ,new ,england farm1 8,i must have a portion of it producing good crops right off40 ,very well4 ,a farmer with plenty of money can do wonders in a short time4 ,set a gang of ditchers to work1 and put in underdrains where most needed4 ,have teams and plows enough to do the work rapidly4 ,as soon as the land is drained and plowed1 put on a heavy roller4 ,then sow #ejj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano per acre broadcast1 or its equivalent in some other fertilizer4 ,follow with a ,shares' harrow4 ,this will mellow the surface and cover the guano without disturbing the sod4 ,follow with a forty-toothed harrow1 and roll again1 if needed1 working the land until there is three or four inches of fine1 mellow surface soil4 ,then mark off the land in rows as straight as an arrow1 and plant corn4 ,cultivate thoroughly1 and kill every weed4 ,if the ditchers can not get through until it is too late to plant corn1 drill in beans on the last drained part of the field4 ,another good crop to raise on a stock farm is corn-fodder4 ,this can be drilled in from time to time as the land can be got ready4 ,put on half a ton of guano per acre and harrow in1 and then mark off the rows three feet apart1 and drill in four bushels of corn per acre4 ,cultivate thoroughly1 and expect a great crop4 ,by the last of ,july1 the ,ayrshire cows will take kindly to the succulent corn-fodder1 and with three or four quarts of meal a day1 it will enable each of them to make #aj lbs4 of butter a week4 ,for the pigs1 sow a few acres of peas4 ,these will do well on sod-land1 sown early or late1 or a part early and a part late1 as most convenient4 ,sow broadcast and harrow in1 #ejj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano per acre and #bjj lbs4 of gypsum4 ,drill in three bushels of peas per acre1 or sow broadcast1 and cover them with a ,shares' harrow4 ,commence to feed the crop green as soon as the pods are formed1 and continue to feed out the crop1 threshed or unthreshed1 until the middle of ,november4 ,up to this time the bugs do comparatively little damage4 ,the pigs will thrive wonderfully on this crop1 and make the richest and best of manure4 ,i have little faith in any attempt to raise root crops on land not previously well prepared4 ,but as it is necessary to have some mangel-wurzel and ,swede turnips for the ,ayrshire cows and long-wool sheep next winter and spring1 select the cleanest and richest land that can be found that was under cultivation last season4 ,if fall plowed1 the chances of success will be doubled4 ,plow the land two or three times1 and cultivate1 harrow1 and roll until it is as mellow as a garden4 ,sow #djj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano and #cjj lbs4 of good superphosphate per acre broadcast1 and harrow them in4 ,ridge up the land into ridges #b to #c ft4 apart1 with a double mould-board plow4 ,roll down the ridges with a light roller1 and drill in the seed4 ,sow the mangel-wurzel in ,may--the earlier the better--and the ,swedes as soon afterwards as the land can be thoroughly prepared4 ,better delay until ,june rather than sow on rough land4 ,the first point on such a farm will be to attend to the grass land4 ,this affords the most hopeful chance of getting good returns the first year4 ,but no time is to be lost4 ,sow #ejj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano per acre on all the grass land and on the clover1 with #bjj lbs4 of gypsum in addition on the latter4 ,if this is sown early enough1 so that the spring rains dissolve it and wash it into the soil1 great crops of grass may be expected4 8,but will it pay80 ,my friend in ,new ,york is a very energetic and successful business man1 and he has a real love for farming1 and ,i have no sort of doubt that1 taking the ,new ,york business and the farm together1 they will afford a very handsome profit4 ,furthermore1 ,i have no doubt that if1 after he has drained it1 he would cover the whole farm with #ejj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano per acre1 or its equivalent1 it would pay him better than any other agricultural operation he is likely to engage in4 ,by the time it was on the land the cost would amount to about #bj per acre4 ,if he sells no more grass or hay from the farm than he would sell if he did not use the guano1 this #bj may very properly be added to the permanent capital invested in the farm4 ,and in this aspect of the case1 ,i have no hesitation in saying it will pay a high rate of interest4 ,his bill for labor will be as much in one case as in the other2 and if he uses the guano he will probably double his crops4 ,his grass lands will carry twenty cows instead of ten1 and if he raises the corn-fodder and roots1 he can probably keep thirty cows better than he could otherwise keep a dozen2 and1 having to keep a herdsman in either case1 the cost of labor will not be much increased4 8,but you think it will not pay80 ,it will probably not pay him4 ,i do not think his business would pay me if ,i lived on my farm1 and went to ,new ,york only once or twice a week4 ,if there is one business above all others that requires constant attention1 it is farming--and especially stock-farming4 ,but my friend is right in saying that he cannot afford to wait to enrich his land by clover and summer-fallowing4 ,his land costs too much2 he has a large barn and everything requisite to keep a large stock of cattle and sheep4 ,the interest on farm and buildings1 and the money expended in labor1 would run on while the dormant matter in the soil was slowly becoming available under the influence of good tillage4 ,the large barn must be filled at once1 and the only way to do this is to apply manure with an unsparing hand4 ,if he lived on the farm1 ,i should have no doubt that1 by adopting this course1 and by keeping improved stock1 and feeding liberally1 he could make money4 ,perhaps he can find a man who will successfully manage the farm under his direction1 but the probabilities are that his present profit and pleasure will come from the gratification of his early love for country life4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,what ,,is ,,manure8 8,what is the good of asking such a question as that80 said the ,deacon2 8we all know what manure is40 8,well1 then10 ,i replied1 8tell us what it is80 8,it is anything that will make crops grow better and bigger10 replied the ,deacon4 8,that is not a bad definition10 said ,i2 8but let us see if it is a true one4 ,you have two rows of cabbage in the garden1 and you water one row1 and the plants grow bigger and better4 ,is water manure8 ,you cover a plant with a hand-glass1 and it grows bigger and better4 ,is a hand-glass manure8 ,you shelter a few plants1 and they grow bigger and better4 ,is shelter manure8 ,you put some pure sand round a few plants1 and they grow bigger and better4 ,is pure sand manure8 ,i think we shall have to reject the ,deacon's definition40 ,let us hear what the ,doctor has to say on the subject4 8,manure10 replied the ,doctor1 8is the food of plants40 8,that is a better definition10 said ,i2 8but this is really not answering the question4 ,you say manure is plant-food4 ,but what is plant-food80 8,plant-food10 said the ,doctor1 8is composed of twelve elements1 and1 possibly1 sometimes one or two more1 which we need not here talk about4 ,four of these elements are gases1 oxygen1 hydrogen1 carbon1 and nitrogen4 ,when a plant or animal is burnt1 these gases are driven off4 ,the ashes which remain are composed of potash1 soda1 lime1 and magnesia2 sulphuric acid1 phosphoric acid1 chlorine1 and silica4 ,in other words1 the #8food of plants' is composed of four organic1 or gaseous elements1 and eight inorganic1 or mineral elements1 of which four have acid and four alkaline properties40 8,thank you1 ,doctor10 said the ,deacon1 8,i am glad to know what manure is4 ,it is the food of plants1 and the food of plants is composed of four gases1 four acid and four alkaline elements4 ,i seem to know all about it4 ,all ,i have wanted to make my land rich was plenty of manure1 and now ,i shall know where to get it--oxygen1 hydrogen1 carbon1 and nitrogen2 these four atmospheric elements4 ,then potash1 soda1 magnesia1 and lime4 ,i know what these four are4 ,then sulphur1 phosphorous1 silica 7sand17 and chlorine 7salt74 ,i shall soon have rich land and big crops40 ,charley1 who has recently come home from college1 where he has been studying chemistry1 looked at the ,deacon1 and was evidently puzzled to understand him4 ,turning to the ,doctor1 ,charley asked modestly if what the ,doctor had said in regard to the composition of plant food could not be said of the composition of all our animals and plants4 8,certainly10 replied the ,doctor1 8all our agricultural plants and all our animals1 man included1 are composed of these twelve elements1 oxygen1 hydrogen1 carbon1 and nitrogen2 phosphorus1 sulphur1 silica1 chlorine1 potash1 soda1 magnesia1 and lime40 ,charley said something about lime1 potash1 and soda1 not being 8elements20 and something about silica and chlorine not being found in animals4 8,yes10 said ,i1 8and he has left out iron1 which is an important constituent of all our farm crops and animals40 ,neither the ,doctor nor the ,deacon heard our remarks4 ,the ,deacon1 who loves an argument1 exclaimed3 8,i thought ,i knew all about it4 ,you told us that manure was the food of plants1 and that the food of plants was composed of the above twelve elements2 and now you tell us that man and beast1 fruit and flower1 grain and grass1 root1 stem1 and branch1 all are composed or made up of these same dozen elements4 ,if ,i ask you what bread is made of1 you say it is composed of the dozen elements aforesaid4 ,if ,i ask what wheat-straw is made of1 you answer1 the dozen4 ,if ,i ask what a thistle is made of1 you say the dozen4 ,there are a good many milk-weeds in my strawberry patch1 and ,i am glad to know that the milk-weed and the strawberry are both composed of the same dozen elements4 ,manure is the food of plants1 and the food of plants is composed of the above dozen elements1 and every plant and animal that we eat is also composed of these same dozen elements1 and so ,i suppose there is no difference between an onion and an omelet1 or between bread and milk1 or between mangel-wurzel and manure40 8,the difference10 replied the ,doctor1 8is one of proportion4 ,mangels and manure are both composed of the same elements4 ,in fact1 mangels make good manure1 and good manure makes good mangels40 ,the ,deacon and the ,doctor sat down to a game of backgammon1 and ,charley and ,i continued the conversation more seriously4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,something ,,about ,,plant-,,food4 8,the ,doctor is in the main correct10 said ,i2 8but he does not fully answer the question1 #8,what is manure8' ,to say that manure is plant-food1 does not cover the whole ground4 ,all soils on which plants grow1 contain more or less plant-food4 ,a plant can not create an atom of potash4 ,it can not get it from the atmosphere4 ,we find potash in the plant1 and we know that it got it from the soil and we are certain1 therefore1 that the soil contains potash4 ,and so of all the other mineral elements of plants4 ,a soil that will produce a thistle1 or a pig-weed1 contains plant-food4 ,and so the definition of the ,doctor is defective1 inasmuch as it makes no distinction between soil and manure4 ,both contain plant-food40 8,what is your definition of manure80 asked ,charley2 8it would seem as though we all knew what manure was4 ,we have got a great heap of it in the yard1 and it is fermenting nicely40 8,yes10 ,i replied1 8we are making more manure on the farm this winter than ever before4 ,two hundred pigs1 #abj large sheep1 #h horses1 #aa cows1 and a hundred head of poultry make considerable manure2 and it is a good deal of work to clean out the pens1 pile the manure1 draw it to the field1 and apply it to the crops4 ,we ought to know something about it2 but we might work among manure all our lives1 and not know what manure is4 ,at any rate1 we might not be able to define it accurately4 ,i will1 however1 try my hand at a definition4 8,let us assume that we have a field that is free from stagnant water at all seasons of the year2 that the soil is clean1 mellow1 and well worked seven inches deep1 and in good order for putting in a crop4 ,what the coming #8season' will be we know not4 ,it may be what we call a hot1 dry summer1 or it may be cool and moist1 or it may be partly one and partly the other4 ,the #8season' is a great element of uncertainty in all our farming calculations2 but we know that we shall have a season of some kind4 ,we have the promise of seed-time and harvest1 and we have never known the promise to fail us4 ,crops1 however1 vary very much1 according to the season2 and it is necessary to bear this fact in mind4 ,let us say that the sun and heat1 and rain and dews1 or what we call #8the season1' is capable of producing #ej bushels of wheat per acre1 but that the soil ,i have described above1 does not produce over #bj bushels per acre4 ,there is no mechanical defect in the soil4 ,the seed is good1 it is put in properly1 and at the right time1 and in the best manner4 ,no weeds choke the wheat plants or rob them of their food2 but that field does not produce as much wheat by #cj bushels per acre as the season is capable of producing4 ,why8 ,the answer is evident4 ,because the wheat plants do not find food enough in the soil4 ,now1 anything that will furnish this food1 anything that will cause that field to produce what the climate or season is capable of producing1 is manure4 ,a gardener may increase his crops by artificial heat1 or by an increased supply of water1 but this is not manure4 ,the effect is due to improved climatic conditions4 ,it has nothing to do with the question of manure4 ,we often read in the agricultural papers about #8shade as manure4' ,we might just as well talk about sunlight as #8manure4' ,the effects observed should be referred to modifications of the climate or season2 and so in regard to mulching4 ,a good mulch may often produce a larger increase of growth than an application of manure4 ,but mulch1 proper1 is not manure4 ,it is climate4 ,it checks evaporation of moisture from the soil4 ,we might as well speak of rain as manure as to call a mulch manure4 ,in fact1 an ordinary shower in summer is little more than a mulch4 ,it does not reach the roots of plants2 and yet we see the effect of the shower immediately in the increased vigor of the plants4 ,they are full of sap1 and the drooping leaves look refreshed4 ,we say the rain has revived them1 and so it has2 but probably not a particle of the rain has entered into the circulation of the plant4 ,the rain checked evaporation from the soil and from the leaves4 ,a cool night refreshes the plants1 and fills the leaves with sap1 precisely in the same way4 ,all these fertilizing effects1 however1 belong to climate4 ,it is inaccurate to associate either mulching1 sunshine1 shade1 heat1 dews1 or rain1 with the question of manure1 though the effect may in certain circumstances be precisely the same40 ,charley evidently thought ,i was wandering from the point4 8,you think1 then10 said he1 8manure is plant-food that the soil needs80 8,yes10 said ,i1 8that is a very good definition--very good1 indeed1 though not absolutely accurate1 because manure is manure1 whether a particular soil needs it or not40 ,unobserved by us1 the ,deacon and the ,doctor had been listening to our talk4 --8,i would like10 said the ,deacon1 8to hear you give a better definition than ,charley has given40 --8,manure10 said ,i1 8is anything containing an element or elements of plant-food1 which1 if the soil needed it1 would1 if supplied in sufficient quantity1 and in an available condition1 produce1 according to soil1 season1 climate1 and variety1 a maximum crop40 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,natural ,,manure4 ,we often hear about 8natural0 manure4 ,i do not like the term1 though ,i believe it originated with me4 ,it is not accurate2 not definite enough4 8,i do not know what you mean by natural manure10 said the ,deacon1 8unless it is the droppings of animals40 --8,to distinguish them1 ,i suppose10 said the ,doctor1 8from artificial manures1 such as superphosphate1 sulphate of ammonia1 and nitrate of soda40 --8,no2 that is not how ,i used the term4 ,a few years ago1 we used to hear much in regard to the #8exhaustion of soils4' ,i thought this phrase conveyed a wrong idea4 ,when new land produces large crops1 and when1 after a few years1 the crops get less and less1 we were told that the farmers were exhausting their land4 ,i said1 no2 the farmers are not exhausting the soil2 they are merely exhausting the accumulated plant-food in the soil4 ,in other words1 they are using up the natural manure4 8,take my own farm4 ,fifty years ago1 it was covered with a heavy growth of maple1 beech1 black walnut1 oak1 and other trees4 ,these trees had shed annual crops of leaves for centuries4 ,the leaves rot on the ground2 the trees also1 age after age4 ,these leaves and other organic matter form what ,i have called natural manure4 ,when the land is cleared up and plowed1 this natural manure decays more rapidly than when the land lies undisturbed2 precisely as a manure-pile will ferment and decay more rapidly if turned occasionally1 and exposed to the air4 ,the plowing and cultivating renders this natural manure more readily available4 ,the leaves decompose1 and furnish food for the growing crop40 ,,exhaustion ,,of ,,the ,,soil4 8,you think1 then10 said the ,doctor1 8that when a piece of land is cleared of the forest1 harrowed1 and sown to wheat2 plowed and planted to corn1 and the process repeated again and again1 until the land no longer yields profitable crops1 that it is the #8natural manure1' and not the soil1 that is exhausted80 8,i think the soil1 at any rate1 is not exhausted1 and ,i can easily conceive of a case where even the natural manure is very far from being all used up40 8,why1 then10 asked the ,deacon1 8is the land so poor that it will scarcely support a sheep to the acre80 8,simply because the natural manure and other plant-food which the soil contains is not in an available condition4 ,it lies dead and inert4 ,it is not soluble1 and the roots of the plants cannot get enough of it to enable them to thrive2 and in addition to this1 you will find as a matter of fact that these poor #8exhausted' farms are infested with weeds1 which rob the growing crops of a large part of the scanty supply of available plant-food40 8,but these weeds10 said the ,deacon1 8are not removed from the farm4 ,they rot on the land2 nothing is lost40 8,true10 said ,i1 8but they1 nevertheless1 rob the growing crops of available plant-food4 ,the annual supply of plant-food1 instead of being used to grow useful plants1 is used to grow weeds40 8,i understand that10 said the ,deacon1 8but if the weeds are left on the land1 and the useful plants are sold1 the farmer who keeps his land clean would exhaust his land faster than the careless farmer who lets his land lie until it is overrun with thistles1 briars1 and pig-weed4 ,you agricultural writers1 who are constantly urging us to farm better and grow larger crops1 seem to overlook this point4 ,as you know1 ,i do not take much stock in chemical theories as applied to agriculture1 but as you do1 here is a little extract ,i cut from an agricultural paper1 that seems to prove that the better you work your land1 and the larger crops you raise1 the sooner you exhaust your land40 ,the ,deacon put on his spectacles1 drew his chair nearer the lamp on the table1 and read the following3 8,there is1 on an average1 about one-fourth of a pound of potash to every one hundred pounds of soil1 and about one-eighth of a pound of phosphoric acid1 and one-sixteenth of a pound of sulphuric acid4 ,if the potatoes and the tops are continually removed from the soil1 it will soon exhaust the potash4 ,if the wheat and straw are removed1 it will soon exhaust the phosphate of lime2 if corn and the stalks1 it will soon exhaust the sulphuric acid4 ,unless there is a rotation1 or the material the plant requires is supplied from abroad1 your crops will soon run out1 though the soil will continue rich for other plants40 8,that extract10 said ,i1 8carries one back twenty-five years4 ,we used to have article after article in this strain4 ,we were told that #8always taking meal out of the tub soon comes to the bottom1' and always taking potash and phosphoric acid from the soil will soon exhaust the supply4 ,but1 practically1 there is really little danger of our exhausting the land4 ,it does not pay4 ,the farmer's resources will be exhausted long before he can exhaust his farm40 8,assuming10 said the ,doctor1 who is fond of an argument1 8that the above statement is true1 let us look at the facts4 ,an acre of soil1 #ab inches deep1 would weigh about #a1fjj tons2 and if1 as the writer quoted by the ,deacon states1 the soil contains #d ozs4 of potash in every #ajj lbs4 of soil1 it follows that an acre of soil1 #ab inches deep1 contains #h1jjj lbs4 of potash4 ,now1 potatoes contain about #bj per cent of dry matter1 and this dry matter contains say1 #d per cent of ash1 half of which is potash4 ,it follows1 therefore1 that #bej bushels of potatoes contain about #fj lbs4 of potash4 ,if we reckon that the tops contain #bj lbs4 more1 or #hj lbs4 in all1 it follows that the acre of soil contains potash enough to grow an annual crop of #bej bushels of potatoes per acre for one hundred years40 8,i know farmers10 said ,charley1 8who do not get over #ej bushels of potatoes per acre1 and in that case the potash would last five hundred years1 as the weeds grown with the crop are left on the land1 and do not1 according to the ,deacon1 exhaust the soil40 8,good for you1 ,charley10 said the ,doctor4 8,now let us see about the phosphoric acid1 of which the soil1 according to the above statement1 contains only half as much as it contains of potash1 or #d1jjj lbs4 per acre4 8,a crop of wheat of #cj bushels per acre10 continued the ,doctor1 8contains in the grain about #bf lbs4 of ash1 and we will say that half of this ash is phosphoric acid1 or #ac lbs4 ,allowing that the straw1 chaff1 etc41 contain #g lbs4 more1 we remove from the soil in a crop of wheat of #cj bushels per acre1 #bj lbs4 of phosphoric acid1 and so1 according to the above estimate1 an acre of soil contains phosphoric acid to produce annually a crop of wheat and straw of #cj bushels per acre for two hundred years4 8,the writer of the paragraph quoted by the ,deacon10 continued the ,doctor1 8selected the crops and elements best suited to his purpose1 and yet1 according to his own estimate1 there is sufficient potash and phosphoric acid in the first #ab inches of the soil to enable us to raise unusually large crops until the next ,centennial in #aigf4 8,but let us take another view of the subject10 continued the ,doctor4 8,no intelligent farmer removes all the potatoes and tops1 all the wheat1 straw1 and chaff1 or all the corn and stalks from his farm4 ,according to ,dr4 ,salisbury1 a crop of corn of #ge bushels per acre removes from the soil #fjj lbs4 of ash1 but the grain contains only #df lbs4 ,the other #eed lbs4 is contained in the stalks1 etc41 all of which are usually retained on the farm4 ,it follows from this1 that when only the grain is sold off the farm1 it takes more than thirteen crops to remove as much mineral matter from the soil as is contained in the whole of one crop4 ,again1 the ash of the grain contains less than #c per cent of sulphuric acid1 so that the #df lbs4 of ash1 in #ge bushels of corn1 contains less than #a lbs4 of sulphuric acid1 and thus1 if an acre of soil contains #b1jjj lbs4 of sulphuric acid1 we have sufficient for an annual crop of #ge bushels per acre for fifteen hundred years6 8,as ,i said before10 continued the ,doctor1 8intelligent farmers seldom sell their straw1 and they frequently purchase and consume on the farm nearly as much bran1 shorts1 etc41 as is sent to market with the grain they sell4 ,in the #8,natural ,history of ,new ,york1' it is stated that an acre of wheat in ,western ,new ,york1 of #cj bushels per acre1 including straw1 chaff1 etc41 removes from the soil #add lbs4 of mineral matter4 ,genesee wheat usually yields about #hj per cent4 of flour4 ,this flour contains only #j4g per cent of mineral matter1 while fine middlings contain #d per cent2 coarse middlings1 #e per cent2 shorts1 #h per cent1 and bran #h per cent of mineral matter or ash4 ,it follows from this1 that out of the #add lbs4 of mineral matter in the crop of wheat1 less than #aj lbs4 is contained in the flour4 ,the remaining #acd lbs4 is found in the straw1 chaff1 bran1 shorts1 etc41 which a good farmer is almost sure to feed out on his farm4 ,but even if the farmer feeds out none of his wheat-bran1 but sells it all with his wheat1 the #cj bushels of wheat remove from the soil only #bf lbs4 of mineral matter2 and it would take more than five crops to remove as much mineral matter as one crop of wheat and straw contains4 ,allowing that half the ash of wheat is phosphoric acid1 #cj bushels remove only #ac lbs4 from the soil1 and if the soil contains #d1jjj lbs41 it will take three hundred and seven crops1 of #cj bushels each1 to exhaust it40 8,that is to say10 said ,charley1 8if all the straw and chaff is retained on the farm1 and is returned to the land without loss of phosphoric acid40 8,yes10 said the ,doctor1 8and if all the bran and shorts1 etc41 were retained on the farm1 it would take eight hundred crops to exhaust the soil of phosphoric acid2 and it is admitted that of all the elements of plant-food1 phosphoric acid is the one first to be exhausted from the soil40 ,i have sold some timothy hay this winter1 and propose to do so whenever the price suits4 ,but some of my neighbors1 who do not hesitate to sell their own hay1 think ,i ought not to do so1 because ,i 8write for the papers06 ,it ought to satisfy them to know that ,i bring back #cj cwt4 of bran for every ton of hay ,i sell4 ,my rule is to sell nothing but wheat1 barley1 beans1 potatoes1 clover-seed1 apples1 wool1 mutton1 beef1 pork1 and butter4 ,everything else is consumed on the farm--corn1 peas1 oats1 mustard1 rape1 mangels1 clover1 straw1 stalks1 etc4 ,let us make a rough estimate of how much is sold and how much retained on a hundred-acre farm1 leaving out the potatoes1 beans1 and live-stock4 ,we have say3 ,sold4 #ae acres wheat1 #dj bushels per acre #ah tons #e 0 barley1 #ej 0 0 #f 0 #ae 0 clover seed1 #d 0 0 #a ton4 ------ ,total sold #be tons4 ,retained on the farm4 #ae acres corn1 #hj bushels per acre #cc tons4 ,corn stalks from do4 #dj 0 #e acres barley straw #h 0 #aj 0 oats and peas1 equal #hj bushels of oats #ab 0 ,straw from do4 #bj 0 #ae acres wheat-straw #be 0 #ae 0 clover-hay #be 0 ,clover-seed straw #aj 0 #ae acres pasture and meadow1 equal #dj tons hay #dj 0 #e 0 mustard1 equal #aj tons hay #aj 0 #e 0 rape1 equal #aj tons hay #aj 0 #e 0 mangels1 #be tons per acre1 #ae 0 equal to #c tons dry ,leaves from do4 #c 0 ------- ,total retained on the farm #beb tons4 ,it would take a good many years to exhaust any ordinary soil by such a course of cropping4 ,except1 perhaps1 the sandy knolls1 ,i think there is not an acre on my farm that would be exhausted in ten thousand years1 and as some portions of the low alluvial soil will grow crops without manure1 there will be an opportunity to give the poor1 sandy knolls more than their share of plant-food4 ,in this way1 notwithstanding the fact that we sell produce and bring nothing back1 ,i believe the whole farm will gradually increase in productiveness4 ,the plant-food annually rendered available from the decomposition and disintegration of the inert organic and mineral matter in the soil1 will be more than equal to that exported from the farm4 ,if the soil becomes deficient in anything1 it is likely that it will be in phosphates1 and a little superphosphate or bone-dust might at any rate be profitably used on the rape1 mustard1 and turnips4 ,the point in good farming is to develop from the latent stores in the soil1 and to accumulate enough available plant-food for the production of the largest possible yield of those crops which we sell4 ,in other words1 we want enough available plant-food in the soil to grow #dj bushels of wheat and #ej bushels of barley4 ,i think the farmer who raises #aj tons for every ton he sells1 will soon reach this point1 and when once reached1 it is a comparatively easy matter to maintain this degree of fertility4 ,,why ,,our ,,crops ,,are ,,so ,,poor4 8,if the soil is so rich in plant-food10 said the ,deacon1 8,i again ask1 why are our crops so poor80 ,the ,deacon said this very quietly4 ,he did not seem to know that he had asked one of the most important questions in the whole range of agricultural science4 ,it is a fact that a soil may contain enough plant-food to produce a thousand large crops1 and yet the crops we obtain from it may be so poor as hardly to pay the cost of cultivation4 ,the plant-food is there1 but the plants cannot get at it4 ,it is not in an available condition2 it is not soluble4 ,a case is quoted by ,prof4 ,johnson1 where a soil was analyzed1 and found to contain to the depth of one foot #d1feb lbs4 of nitrogen per acre1 but only #fc lbs4 of this was in an available condition4 ,and this is equally true of phosphoric acid1 potash1 and other elements of plant-food4 ,no matter how much plant-food there may be in the soil1 the only portion that is of any immediate value is the small amount that is annually available for the growth of crops4 ,,how ,,to ,,get ,,larger ,,crops4 8,i am tired of so much talk about plant-food10 said the ,deacon2 8what we want to know is how to make our land produce larger crops of wheat1 corn1 oats1 barley1 potatoes1 clover1 and grass40 ,this is precisely what ,i am trying to show4 ,on my own farm1 the three leading objects are 7#a7 to get the land drained1 7#b7 to make it clean and mellow1 and 7#c7 to get available nitrogen for the cereal crops4 ,after the first two objects are accomplished1 the measure of productiveness will be determined by the amount of available nitrogen in the soil4 ,how to get available nitrogen1 therefore1 is my chief and ultimate object in all the operations on the farm1 and it is here that science can help me4 ,i know how to get nitrogen1 but ,i want to get it in the cheapest way1 and then to be sure that ,i do not waste it4 ,there is one fact fully established by repeated experiment and general experience--that #hj lbs4 of available nitrogen per acre1 applied in manure1 will almost invariably give us a greatly increased yield of grain crops4 ,i should expect1 on my farm1 that on land which1 without manure1 would give me #ae bushels of wheat per acre1 such a dressing of manure would give me1 in a favorable season1 #ce or #dj bushels per acre1 with a proportional increase of straw2 and1 in addition to this1 there would be considerable nitrogen left for the following crop of clover4 ,is it not worth while making an earnest effort to get this #hj lbs4 of available nitrogen8 ,i have on my farm many acres of low1 mucky land1 bordering on the creek1 that probably contain several thousand pounds of nitrogen per acre4 ,so long as the land is surcharged with water1 this nitrogen1 and other plant-food1 lies dormant4 ,but drain it1 and let in the air1 and the oxygen decomposes the organic matter1 and ammonia and nitric acid are produced4 ,in other words1 we get available nitrogen and other plant-food1 and the land becomes capable of producing large crops of corn and grass2 and the crops obtained from this low1 rich land1 will make manure for the poorer1 upland portions of the farm4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,swamp-,,muck ,,or ,,peat ,,as ,,manure4 8,it would pay you10 said the ,deacon1 8to draw out #bjj or #cjj loads of muck from the swamp every year1 and compost it with your manure40 ,this may or may not be the case4 ,it depends on the composition of the muck1 and how much labor it takes to handle it4 8,what you should do10 said the ,doctor1 8is to commence at the creek1 and straighten it4 ,take a gang of men1 and be with them with yourself1 or get a good foreman to direct operations4 ,commence at a1 and straighten the creek to b1 and from b to c 7see map on next page74 ,throw all the rich1 black muck in a heap by itself1 separate from the sand4 ,you1 or your foreman1 must be there1 or you will not get this done4 ,a good ditcher will throw out a great mass of this loose muck and sand in a day2 and you want him to dig1 not think4 ,you must do the thinking1 and tell him which is muck1 and which is only sand and dirt4 ,when thrown up1 this muck1 in our dry1 hot climate1 will1 in the course of a few months1 part with a large amount of water1 and it can then be drawn to the barns and stables1 and used for bedding1 or for composting with manure4 ,or if you do not want to draw it to the barn1 get some refuse lime from the lime-kiln1 and mix it with the muck after it has been thrown up a few weeks1 and is partially dry4 ,turn over the heap1 and put a few bushels of lime to every cord of the muck1 mixing the lime and muck together1 leaving the heap in a compact form1 and in good shape1 to shed the rain4 8,when you have straightened1 and cleaned out1 and deepened the creek10 continued the ,doctor1 8commence at z on the new creek1 and cut a ditch through the swamp to y4 ,throw the muck on one side1 and the sand on the other4 ,this will give you some good1 rich muck1 and at the same time drain your swamp4 ,then cut some under-drains from y towards the higher land at w1 v1 and h1 and from f to x4 ,these will drain your land1 and set free the inert plant-food1 and such crops of timothy as you will get from this swamp will astonish the natives1 and your bill for medical attendance and quinine will sink to zero40 ,illustration3 ,map of ,creek4 ,the ,doctor is right4 ,there is money and health in the plan4 ,prof4 ,s4 ,w4 ,johnson1 as chemist to the ,conn4 ,state ,ag4 ,society1 made accurate analyses of #cc samples of peat and muck sent him by gentlemen from different parts of the ,state4 ,the amount of potential ammonia in the chemically dry peat was found to vary from #j4eh in the poorest1 to #d4jf per cent in the richest samples4 ,in other words1 one deposit of muck may contain seven times as much nitrogen as another1 and it would be well before spending much money in drawing out muck for manure to send a sample of it to some good chemist4 ,a bed of swamp-muck1 easily accessible1 and containing #c per cent of nitrogen1 would be a mine of wealth to any farmer4 ,one ton of such muck1 dry1 would contain more nitrogen than #g tons of straw4 8,it would be capital stuff10 said the ,deacon1 8to put in your pig-pens to absorb the urine4 ,it would make rich manure40 8,that is so10 said ,i1 8and the weak point in my pig-breeding is the want of sufficient straw4 ,pigs use up more bedding than any other animals4 ,i have over #bjj pigs1 and ,i could use a ton of dry muck to each pig every winter to great advantage4 ,the pens would be drier1 the pigs healthier1 and the manure richer40 ,the ,doctor here interrupted us4 8,i see10 said he1 8that the average amount of ammonia in the #cc samples of dry peat analyzed by ,professor ,johnson is #b4jg per cent4 ,i had no idea that muck was so rich4 ,barn-yard manure1 or the manure from the horse stables in the cities1 contains only half a per cent 7#j4e7 of ammonia1 and it is an unusually rich manure that contains one per cent4 ,we are safe in saying that a ton of dry muck1 on the average1 contains at least twice as much potential ammonia as the average of our best and richest stable-manure40 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,what ,,is ,,potential ,,ammonia8 8,you say10 said the ,deacon1 8that dry muck contains twice as much #8potential ammonia' as manure80 8,yes10 said the ,doctor1 8it contains three or four times as much as the half-rotted straw and stalks you call manure40 8,but what do you mean10 asked the ,deacon1 8by #8potential ammonia8'0 8,it is a term10 said the ,doctor1 8we used to hear much more frequently than we do now4 ,ammonia is composed of #ad lbs4 of nitrogen and #c lbs4 of hydrogen2 and if1 on analysis1 a guano or other manure was found to contain1 in whatever form1 #g per cent of nitrogen1 the chemist reported that he found in it #h per cent of #8potential' ammonia4 ,dried blood contains no ammonia1 but if it contained #ad per cent of nitrogen1 the chemist would be justified in saying it contained #ag per cent of potential ammonia1 from the fact that the dried blood1 by fermentation1 is capable of yielding this amount of ammonia4 ,we say a ton of common horse-manure contains #aj or #ab lbs4 of potential ammonia4 ,if perfectly fresh1 it may not contain a particle of ammonia2 but it contains nitrogen enough to produce1 by fermentation1 #aj or #ab lbs4 of ammonia4 ,and when it is said that dry swamp-muck contains1 on the average1 #b4jg per cent of potential ammonia1 it simply means that it contains nitrogen enough to produce this amount of ammonia4 ,in point of fact1 ,i suppose muck1 when dug fresh from the swamp1 contains no ammonia4 ,ammonia is quite soluble in water1 and if there was any ammonia in the swamp-muck1 it would soon be washed out4 ,the nitrogen1 or #8potential ammonia1' in the muck exists in an inert1 insoluble form1 and before the muck will yield up this nitrogen to plants1 it is necessary1 in some way1 to ferment or decompose it4 ,but this is a point we will discuss at a future meeting40 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,tillage ,,is ,,manure4 ,the ,doctor has been invited to deliver a lecture on manure before our local ,farmers' ,club4 8,the etymological meaning of the word manure10 he said1 8is hand labor1 from main1 hand1 and ouvrer1 to work4 ,to manure the land originally meant to cultivate it1 to hoe1 to dig1 to plow1 to harrow1 or stir it in any way so as to expose its particles to the oxygen of the atmosphere1 and thus render its latent elements assimilable by plants4 8,when our first parent10 he continued1 8was sent forth from the ,garden of ,eden to till the ground from whence he was taken1 he probably did not know that the means necessary to kill the thorns and thistles enhanced the productiveness of the soil1 yet such was undoubtedly the case4 8,the farmer for centuries was simply a #8tiller of the ground4' ,guano1 though formed1 according to some eminent authorities1 long ages before the creation of man1 was not then known4 ,the coprolites lay undisturbed in countless numbers in the lias1 the greensand1 and the ,suffolk crag4 ,charleston phosphates were unknown4 ,superphosphate1 sulphate of ammonia1 nitrate of soda1 and kainit were not dreamed of4 ,nothing was said about the mineral manure theory1 or the exhaustion of the soil4 ,there were no frauds in artificial fertilizers2 no ,experiment ,stations4 ,the earth1 fresh from the hands of its ,creator1 needed only to be #8tickled with a hoe to laugh with a harvest4' ,nothing was said about the value of the manure obtained from the consumption of a ton of oil-cake1 or malt-combs1 or bran1 or clover-hay4 ,for many centuries1 the hoe1 the spade1 and the rake constituted ,adam's whole stock in trade4 8,at length10 continued the ,doctor1 8a great discovery was made4 ,a ,roman farmer--probably a prominent ,granger--stumbled on a mighty truth4 ,manuring the land--that is1 hoeing and cultivating it--increased its fertility4 ,this was well known--had been known for ages1 and acted upon2 but this ,roman farmer1 ,stercutius1 who was a close observer1 discovered that the droppings of animals had the same effect as hoeing4 ,no wonder these idolatrous people voted him a god4 ,they thought there would be no more old-fashioned manuring2 no more hoeing4 8,of course they were mistaken10 continued the ,doctor1 8our arable land will always need plowing and cultivating to kill weeds4 ,manure1 in the sense in which we now use the term1 is only a partial substitute for tillage1 and tillage is only a partial substitute for manure2 but it is well to bear in mind that the words mean the same thing1 and the effects of both are1 to a certain extent1 identical4 ,tillage is manure1 and manure is tillage40 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,summer-,,fallowing4 ,this is not the place to discuss the merits1 or demerits1 of fallowing4 ,but an intelligent ,ohio farmer writes me3 --8,i see that you recommend fallow plowing1 what are your reasons8 ,granting that the immediate result is an increased crop1 is not the land impoverished8 ,will not the thorough cultivation of corn1 or potatoes1 answer as well80 ,and a distinguished farmer1 of this ,state1 in a recent communication expressed the same idea--that summer-fallowing would soon impoverish the land4 ,but if this is the case1 the fault is not in the practice of summer-fallowing1 but in growing too many grain crops1 and selling them1 instead of consuming them on the farm4 ,take two fields2 summer-fallow one1 and sow it to wheat4 ,plant the other to corn1 and sow wheat after it in the fall4 ,you get1 say #ce bushels of wheat per acre from the summer-fallow4 ,from the other field you get1 say1 #cj bushels of shelled corn per acre1 and #aj bushels of wheat afterwards4 ,now1 where a farmer is in the habit of selling all his wheat1 and consuming all his corn on the farm1 it is evident that the practice of summer-fallowing will impoverish the soil more rapidly than the system of growing corn followed by wheat--and for the simple reason that more wheat is sold from the farm4 ,if no more grain is sold in one case than in the other1 the summer-fallowing will not impoverish the soil any more than corn growing4 ,my idea of fallowing is this3--,the soil and the atmosphere furnish1 on good1 well cultivated land1 plant-food sufficient1 say1 for #ae bushels of wheat per acre1 every year4 ,it will be sometimes more1 and sometimes less1 according to the season and the character of the soil1 but on good1 strong limestone land this may be taken as about the average4 ,to grow wheat every year in crops of #ae bushels per acre1 would impoverish the soil just as much as to summer-fallow and get #cj bushels of wheat every other year4 ,it is the same thing in either case4 ,but in summer-fallowing1 we clean the land1 and the profits from a crop of #cj bushels per acre every other year1 are much more than from two crops of #ae bushels every year4 ,you know that ,mr4 ,lawes has a field of about thirteen acres that he sows with wheat every year4 ,on the plot that receives no manure of any kind1 the crop1 for twenty years1 averaged #af bushels per acre4 ,it is plowed twice every year1 and the wheat is hand-hoed in the spring to keep it clean4 ,a few years ago1 in a field adjoining this experimental wheat field1 and that is of the same character of land1 he made the following experiment4 ,the land1 after wheat1 was fallowed1 and then sown to wheat2 then fallowed the next year1 and again sown to wheat1 and the next year it was sown to wheat after wheat4 ,the following is the result compared with the yield of the continuously unmanured plot in the experimental field that is sown to wheat every year3 #a4 ,year--,no4 #a--;,fallow ,no crop4 ,no4 #b--,wheat after wheat #ae bushels #c pecks per acre4 #b4 ,year--,no4 #a--,wheat after fallow #cg 0 -- 0 0 ,no4 #b--,wheat after wheat #ac 0 #c 0 0 #c4 ,year--,no4 #a--;,fallow after wheat ,no crop4 ,no4 #b--,wheat after wheat #ae bushels #c pecks per acre4 #d4 ,year--,no4 #a--,wheat after fallow #db 0 -- 0 0 ,no4 #b--,wheat after wheat #ba 0 #j 0 0 #e4 ,year--,no4 #a--,wheat after wheat #ag 0 #a 0 0 ,no4 #b--,wheat after wheat #ag 0 -- 0 0 ,taking the first four years1 we have a total yield from the plot sown every year of #ff bushels #b pecks1 and from the two crops alternately fallowed1 a total yield of #gi bushels4 ,the next year1 when wheat was sown after wheat on the land previously fallowed1 the yield was almost identical with the yield from the plot that has grown wheat after wheat for so many years4 ,so far1 these results do not indicate any exhaustion from the practice of fallowing4 ,on the other hand1 they tend to show that we can get more wheat by sowing it every other year1 than by cropping it every year in succession4 ,the reason for this may be found in the fact that in a fallow the land is more frequently exposed to the atmosphere by repeated plowings and harrowings2 and it should be borne in mind that the effect of stirring the land is not necessarily in proportion to the total amount of stirring1 but is according to the number of times that fresh particles of soil are exposed to the atmosphere4 ,two plowings and two harrowings in one week1 will not do as much good as two plowings and two harrowings1 at different times in the course of three or four months4 ,it is for this reason that ,i object1 theoretically1 to sowing wheat after barley4 ,we often plow the barley stubble twice1 and spend considerable labor in getting the land into good condition2 but it is generally all done in the course of ten days or two weeks4 ,we do not get any adequate benefit for this labor4 ,we can kill weeds readily at this season1 7,august71 but the stirring of the soil does not develope the latent plant-food to the extent it would if the work was not necessarily done in such a limited period4 ,i say theoretically1 for in point of fact ,i do sow wheat after barley4 ,i do so because it is very convenient1 and because it is more immediately profitable4 ,i am satisfied1 however1 that in the end it would be more profitable to seed down the barley with clover4 ,we must raise larger crops2 and to do this we must raise them less frequently4 ,this is the key-note of the coming improved system of ,american agriculture1 in all sections where good land is worth less than one hundred dollars per acre4 ,in the neighborhood of large cities1 and wherever land commands a high price1 we must keep our farms in a high state of fertility by the purchase of manures or cattle foods4 ,those of us in the interior1 where we can not buy manure1 must raise fewer grain crops1 and more clover4 ,we must aim to raise #dj bushels of wheat1 #ej bushels of barley1 #hj bushels of oats1 and #ajj bushels of shelled corn1 and #e bushels of clover-seed per acre4 ,that this can be done on good1 well-drained land1 from the unaided resources of the farm1 ,i have no doubt4 ,it may give us no more grain to sell than at present1 but it will enable us to produce much more mutton1 wool1 beef1 cheese1 butter1 and pork1 than at present4 8,but1 then1 will there be a demand for the meat1 wool1 etc480 ,the present indications are highly favorable4 ,but we must aim to raise good meat4 ,the low-priced beef and mutton sold in our markets are as unprofitable to the consumer as they are to the producer4 ,we must feed higher1 and to do this to advantage we must have improved stock4 ,there is no profit in farming without good tillage1 larger crops1 improved stock1 and higher feeding4 ,the details will be modified by circumstances1 but the principles are the same wherever agri-culture is practised4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,how ,,to ,,restore ,a ,,worn-,,out ,,farm4 ,i have never yet seen a 8worn-out0 or 8exhausted farm40 ,i know many farms that are 8run down40 ,i bought just such a farm a dozen or more years ago1 and ,i have been trying hard1 ever since1 to bring it up to a profitable standard of productiveness--and am still trying1 and expect to have to keep on trying so long as ,i keep on farming4 ,the truth is1 there never was a farm so rich1 that the farmer did not wish it was richer4 ,i have succeeded in making the larger part of my farm much more productive than it ever was before1 since it was cleared from the original forest4 ,but it is far from being as rich as ,i want it4 ,the truth is1 ,god sent us into this world to work1 and ,he has given us plenty to do1 if we will only do it4 ,at any rate1 this is true of farming4 ,he has not given us land ready to our hand4 ,the man who first cleared up my farm1 had no easy task4 ,he fairly earned all the good crops he ever got from it4 ,i have never begrudged him one particle of the 8natural manure0 he took out of the land1 in the form of wheat1 corn1 oats1 and hay4 ,on the dry1 sandy knolls1 he probably got out a good portion of this natural manure1 but on the wetter and heavier portions of the farm1 he probably did not get out one-hundredth part of the natural manure which the land contained4 ,now1 when such a farm came into my possession1 what was ,i to do with it8 8,tell us what you did10 said the ,doctor1 8and then1 perhaps1 we can tell you what you ought to have done1 and what you ought to have left undone40 8,i made many mistakes40 8,amen10 said the ,deacon2 8,i am glad to hear you acknowledge it40 8,well10 said the ,doctor1 8it is better to make mistakes in trying to do something1 than to hug our self-esteem1 and fold our hands in indolence4 ,it has been said that critics are men who have failed in their undertakings4 ,but ,i rather think the most disagreeable1 and self-satisfied critics1 are men who have never done anything1 or tried to do anything1 themselves40 ,the ,deacon1 who1 though something of an old fogy1 is a good deal of a man1 and possessed of good common sense1 and much experience1 took these remarks kindly4 8,well10 said he to me1 8,i must say that your farm has certainly improved1 but you did things so differently from what we expected1 that we could not see what you were driving at40 8,i can tell you what ,i have been aiming at all along4 #ast4 ,to drain the wet portions of the arable land4 #b;d4 ,to kill weeds1 and make the soil mellow and clean4 #c;d4 ,to make more manure40 8,you have also bought some bone-dust1 superphosphate1 and other artificial manures40 8,true2 and if ,i had had more money ,i would have bought more manure4 ,it would have paid well4 ,i could have made my land as rich as it is now in half the time40 ,i had to depend principally on the natural resources of the land4 ,i got out of the soil all ,i could1 and kept as much of it as possible on the farm4 ,one of the mistakes ,i made was1 in breaking up too much land1 and putting in too much wheat1 barley1 oats1 peas1 and corn4 ,it would have been better for my pocket1 though possibly not so good for the farm1 if ,i had left more of the land in grass1 and also1 if ,i had summer-fallowed more1 and sown less barley and oats1 and planted less corn4 8,i do not see how plowing up the grass land10 said the ,deacon1 8could possibly be any better for the farm4 ,you agricultural writers are always telling us that we plow too much land1 and do not raise grass and clover enough40 8,what ,i meant by saying that it would have been better for my pocket1 though possibly not so good for the farm1 if ,i had not plowed so much land1 may need explanation4 ,the land had been only half cultivated1 and was very foul4 ,the grass and clover fields did not give more than half a crop of hay1 and the hay was poor in quality1 and much of it half thistles1 and other weeds4 ,i plowed this land1 planted it to corn1 and cultivated it thoroughly4 ,but the labor of keeping the corn clean was costly1 and absorbed a very large slice of the profits4 ,but the corn yielded a far larger produce per acre than ,i should have got had the land lain in grass4 ,and as all this produce was consumed on the farm1 we made more manure than if we had plowed less land40 ,i have great faith in the benefits of thorough tillage--or1 in other words1 of breaking up1 pulverizing1 and exposing the soil to the decomposing action of the atmosphere4 ,i look upon a good1 strong soil as a kind of storehouse of plant-food4 ,but it is not an easy matter to render this plant-food soluble4 ,if it were any less soluble than it is1 it would have all leached out of the land centuries ago4 ,turning over1 and fining a manure-heap1 if other conditions are favorable1 cause rapid fermentation with the formation of carbonate of ammonia1 and other soluble salts4 ,many of our soils1 to the depth of eight or ten inches1 contain enough nitrogenous matter in an acre to produce two or three thousand pounds of ammonia4 ,by stirring the soil1 and exposing it to the atmosphere1 a small portion of this nitrogen becomes annually available1 and is taken up by the growing crops4 ,and it is so with the other elements of plant-food4 ,stirring the soil1 then1 is the basis of agriculture4 ,it has been said that we must return to the soil as much plant-food as we take from it4 ,if this were true1 nothing could be sold from the farm4 ,what we should aim to do1 is to develop as much as possible of the plant-food that lies latent in the soil1 and not to sell in the form of crops1 cheese1 wool1 or animals1 any more of this plant-food than we annually develop from the soil4 ,in this way the 8condition0 of the soil would remain the same4 ,if we sell less than we develop1 the condition of the soil will improve4 ,by 8condition10 ,i mean the amount of available plant-food in the soil4 ,nearly all our farms are poorer in plant-food to-day than when first cleared of the original forest1 or than they were ten1 fifteen1 or twenty years later4 ,in other words1 the plants and animals that have been sold from the farm1 have carried off a considerable amount of plant-food4 ,we have taken far more nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 potash1 etc41 out of the soil1 than we have returned to it in the shape of manure4 ,consequently1 the soil must contain less and less of plant-food every year4 ,and yet1 while this is a self-evident fact1 it is1 nevertheless1 true that many of these self-same farms are more productive now than when first cleared1 or at any rate more productive than they were twenty-five or thirty years ago4 ,sometime ago1 the ,deacon and ,i visited the farm of ,mr4 ,dewey1 of ,monroe ,co41 ,n4,y4 ,he is a good farmer4 ,he does not practice 8high farming0 in the sense in which ,i use that term4 ,his is a good example of what ,i term slow farming4 ,he raises large crops1 but comparatively few of them4 ,on his farm of #cjj acres1 he raises #dj acres of wheat1 #ag acres of ,indian corn1 and #bc acres of oats1 barley1 potatoes1 roots1 etc4 ,in other words1 he has #hj acres in crops1 and #bbj acres in grass--not permanent grass4 ,he lets it lie in grass five1 six1 seven1 or eight years1 as he deems best1 and then breaks it up1 and plants it to corn4 ,the land he intends to plant to corn next year1 has been in grass for seven years4 ,he will put pretty much all his manure on this land4 ,after corn1 it will be sown to oats1 or barley2 then sown to wheat1 and seeded down again4 ,it will then lie in grass three1 four1 five1 six1 or seven years1 until he needs it again for corn1 etc4 ,this is 8slow farming10 but it is also good farming--that is to say1 it gives large yields per acre1 and a good return for the labor expended4 ,the soil of this farm is richer to-day in available plant-food than when first cleared4 ,it produces larger crops per acre4 ,mr4 ,d4 called our attention to a fact that establishes this point4 ,an old fence that had occupied the ground for many years was removed some years since1 and the two fields thrown into one4 ,every time this field is in crops1 it is easy to see where the old fence was1 by the short straw and poor growth on this strip1 as compared with the land on each side which had been cultivated for years4 ,this is precisely the result that ,i should have expected4 ,if ,mr4 ,d4 was a poor farmer--if he cropped his land frequently1 did not more than half-cultivate it1 sold everything he raised1 and drew back no manure--,i think the old fence-strip would have given the best crops4 ,the strip of land on which the old fence stood in ,mr4 ,dewey's field1 contained more plant-food than the soil on either side of it4 ,but it was not available4 ,it was not developed4 ,it was latent1 inert1 insoluble1 crude1 and undecomposed4 ,it was so much dead capital4 ,the land on either side which had been cultivated for years1 produced better crops4 ,why8 ,simply because the stirring of the soil had developed more plant-food than had been removed by the crops4 ,if the stirring of the soil developed #ajj lbs4 of plant-food a year1 and only #ge lbs4 were carried off in the crops--#be lbs4 being left on the land in the form of roots1 stubble1 etc4--the land1 at the expiration of #dj years1 would contain1 provided none of it was lost1 #a1jjj lbs4 more available plant-food than the uncultivated strip4 ,on the other hand1 the latter would contain #c1jjj lbs4 more actual plant-food per acre than the land which had been cultivated--but it is in an unavailable condition4 ,it is dead capital4 ,i do not know that ,i make myself understood1 though ,i would like to do so1 because ,i am sure there is no point in scientific farming of greater importance4 ,mr4 ,geddes calls grass the 8pivotal crop0 of ,american agriculture4 ,he deserves our thanks for the word and the idea connected with it4 ,but ,i am inclined to think the pivot on which our agriculture stands and rotates1 lies deeper than this4 ,the grass crop creates nothing--developes nothing4 ,the untilled and unmanured grass lands of ,herkimer ,county1 in this ,state1 are no richer to-day than they were #ej years ago4 ,the pastures of ,cheshire1 ,england1 except those that have been top-dressed with bones1 or other manures1 are no more productive than they were centuries back4 ,grass alone will not make rich land4 ,it is a good 8savings bank40 ,it gathers up and saves plant-food from running to waste4 ,it pays a good interest1 and is a capital institution4 ,but the real source of fertility must be looked for in the stores of plant-food lying dormant in the soil4 ,tillage1 underdraining1 and thorough cultivation1 are the means by which we develop and render this plant-food available4 ,grass1 clover1 peas1 or any other crop consumed on the farm1 merely affords us the means of saving this plant-food and making it pay a good interest4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,how ,,to ,,make ,,manure4 ,if we have the necessary materials1 it is not a difficult matter to make manure2 in fact1 the manure will make itself4 ,we sometimes need to hasten the process1 and to see that none of the fertilizing matter runs to waste4 ,this is about all that we can do4 ,we cannot create an atom of plant-food4 ,it is ready formed to our hands2 but we must know where to look for it1 and how to get it in the easiest1 cheapest1 and best way1 and how to save and use it4 ,the science of manure-making is a profound study4 ,it is intimately connected with nearly every branch of agriculture4 ,if weeds grow and decay on the land1 they make manure4 ,if we grow a crop of buckwheat1 or spurry1 or mustard1 or rape1 or clover1 and mow it1 and let it lie on the land1 it makes manure2 or if we plow it under1 it forms manure2 or if1 after it is mown1 we rake up the green crop1 and put it into a heap1 it will ferment1 heat will be produced by the slow combustion of a portion of the carbonaceous and nitrogenous matter1 and the result will be a mass of material1 which we should all recognize as 8manure40 ,if1 instead of putting the crop into a heap and letting it ferment1 we feed it to animals1 the digestible carbonaceous and nitrogenous matter will be consumed to produce animal heat and to sustain the vital functions1 and the refuse1 or the solid and liquid droppings of the animals1 will be manure4 ,if the crop rots on the ground1 nothing is added to it4 ,if it ferments1 and gives out heat1 in a heap1 nothing is added to it4 ,if it is passed through an animal1 and produces heat1 nothing is added to it4 ,i have heard people say a farmer could not make manure unless he kept animals4 ,we might with as much truth say a farmer cannot make ashes unless he keeps stoves2 and it would be just as sensible to take a lot of stoves into the woods to make ashes1 as it is to keep a lot of animals merely to make manure4 ,you can make the ashes by throwing the wood into a pile1 and burning it2 and you can make the manure by throwing the material out of which the manure is to be made into a pile1 and letting it ferment4 ,on a farm where neither food nor manure of any kind is purchased1 the only way to make manure is to get it out of the land4 8,from the land and from the atmosphere10 remarked the ,doctor4 8,plants get a large portion of the material of which they are composed from the atmosphere40 8,yes10 ,i replied1 8but it is principally carbonaceous matter1 which is of little or no value as manure4 ,a small amount of ammonia and nitric acid are also brought to the soil by rains and dews1 and a freshly-stirred soil may also sometimes absorb more or less ammonia from the atmosphere2 but while this is true1 so far as making manure is concerned1 we must look to the plant-food existing in the soil itself4 8,take such a farm as ,mr4 ,dewey's1 that we have already referred to4 ,no manure or food has been purchased2 or at any rate1 not one-tenth as much as has been sold1 and yet the farm is more productive to-day than when it was first cleared of the forest4 ,he has developed the manure from the stores of latent plant-food previously existing in the soil and this is the way farmers generally make manure40 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,the ,,value ,,of ,,manure ,,depends ,,on ,,the ,,food--,,not ,,on ,,the ,,animal4 8,if10 said ,i1 8you should put a ton of cut straw in a heap1 wet it1 and let it rot down into manure2 and should place in another heap a ton of cut corn-fodder1 and in another heap a ton of cut clover-hay1 wet them1 and let them also rot down into manure2 and in another heap a ton of pulped-turnips1 and in another heap a ton of corn-meal1 and in another heap a ton of bran1 and in another a ton of malt-sprouts1 and let them be mixed with water1 and so treated that they will ferment without loss of ammonia or other valuable plant-food1 ,i think no one will say that all these different heaps of manure will have the same value4 ,and if not1 why not80 8,because10 said ,charley1 8the ton of straw does not contain as much valuable plant-food as the ton of corn-fodder1 nor the ton of corn-fodder as much as the ton of clover-hay40 8,now then10 said ,i1 8instead of putting a ton of straw in one heap to rot1 and a ton of corn-fodder in another heap1 and a ton of clover in another heap1 we feed the ton of straw to a cow1 and the ton of corn-fodder to another cow1 and the ton of clover to another cow1 and save all the solid and liquid excrements1 will the manure made from the ton of straw be worth as much as the manure made from the ton of corn-fodder or clover-hay80 8,no10 said ,charley4 --8,certainly not10 said the ,doctor4 --8,i am not so sure about it10 said the ,deacon2 8,i think you will get more manure from the corn-fodder than from the straw or clover-hay40 8,we are not talking about bulk10 said the ,doctor1 8but value40 8,suppose1 ,deacon10 said he1 8you were to shut up a lot of your ,brahma hens1 and feed them a ton of corn-meal1 and should also feed a ton of corn-meal made into slops to a lot of pigs1 and should save all the liquid and solid excrements from the pigs1 and all the manure from the hens1 which would be worth the most80 --8,the hen-manure1 of course10 said the ,deacon1 who has great faith in this kind of 8guano10 as he calls it4 8,and yet10 said the ,doctor1 8you would probably not get more than half a ton of manure from the hens1 while the liquid and solid excrements from the pigs1 if the corn-meal was made into a thin slop1 would weigh two or three tons40 8,more1 too10 said the ,deacon1 8the way you feed your store pigs40 8,very well2 and yet you say that the half ton of hen-manure made from a ton of corn is worth more than the two or three tons of pig-manure made from a ton of corn4 ,you do not seem to think1 after all1 that mere bulk or weight adds anything to the value of the manure4 ,why then should you say that the manure from a ton of corn-fodder is worth more than from a ton of straw1 because it is more bulky80 8,you1 yourself10 said the ,deacon1 8also say the manure from the ton of corn-fodder is worth more than from the ton of straw40 --8,true10 said ,i 8but not because it is more bulky4 ,it is worth more because the ton of corn-fodder contains a greater quantity of valuable plant-food than the ton of straw4 ,the clover is still richer in this valuable plant-food1 and the manure is much more valuable2 in fact1 the manure from the ton of clover is worth as much as the manure from the ton of straw and the ton of corn-fodder together40 8,i would like to see you prove that10 said the ,deacon1 8for if it is true1 ,i will sell no more clover-hay4 ,i can't get as much for clover-hay in the market as ,i can for rye-straw40 8,i will not attempt to prove it at present10 said the ,doctor2 8but the evidence is so strong and so conclusive that no rational man1 who will study the subject1 can fail to be thoroughly convinced of its truth40 8,the value of manure10 said ,i1 8does not depend on the quantity of water which it contains1 or on the quantity of sand1 or silica1 or on the amount of woody fibre or carbonaceous matter4 ,these things add little or nothing to its fertilizing value1 except in rare cases2 and the sulphuric acid and lime are worth no more than the same quantity of sulphate of lime or gypsum1 and the chlorine and soda are probably worth no more than so much common salt4 ,the real chemical value of the manure1 other things being equal1 is in proportion to the nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 that the manure contains4 8,and the quantity of nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash found in the manure is determined1 other things being equal1 by the quantity of the nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash contained in the food consumed by the animals making the manure40 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,foods ,,which ,,make ,,rich ,,manure4 ,the amount of nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 contained in different foods1 has been accurately determined by many able and reliable chemists4 ,the following table was prepared by ,dr4 ,j4 ,b4 ,lawes1 of ,rothamsted1 ,england1 and was first published in this country in the 8,genesee ,farmer10 for ,may1 #ahfj4 ,since then1 it has been repeatedly published in nearly all the leading agricultural journals of the world1 and has given rise to much discussion4 ,the following is the table1 with some recent additions3 ,,td3 ,total dry matter4 ,,tm3 ,total mineral matter 7ash74 ,ph3 ,phosphoric acid reckoned as phosphate of lime4 ,p3 ,potash4 ,n3 ,nitrogen4 ,v3 ,value of manure in dollars and cents from #a ton 7#b1jjj lbs47 of food4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,per ,cent4 ------------------------------ ,,td ,,tm ,ph ,p ,n ,v ---------------------------------------- -------------------- #a4 ,linseed cake #hh4j #g4jj #d4ib #a4fe #d4ge #ai4gb #b4 ,cotton-seed cake99 #hi4j #h4jj #g4jj #c4ab #f4ej #bg4hf #c4 ,rape-cake #hi4j #h4jj #e4ge #a4gf #e4jj #ba4ja #d4 ,linseed #ij4j #d4jj #c4ch #a4cg #c4hj #ae4fe #e4 ,beans #hd4j #c4jj #b4bj #a4bg #d4jj #ae4ge #f4 ,peas #hd4e #b4dj #a4hd #j4if #c4dj #ac4ch #g4 ,tares #hd4j #b4jj #a4fc #j4ff #d4bj #af4ge #h4 ,lentils #hh4j #c4jj #a4hi #j4if #d4cj #af4ea #i4 ,malt-dust #id4j #h4ej #e4bc #b4ab #d4bj #ah4ba #aj4 ,locust beans #he4j #a4ge 4444 4444 #a4be #d4ha #aa4 ,indian-meal #hh4j #a4cj #a4ac #j4ce #a4hj #f4fe #ab4 ,wheat #he4j #a4gj #a4hg #j4ej #a4hj #g4jh #ac4 ,barley #hd4j #b4bj #a4ce #j4ee #a4fe #f4cb #ad4 ,malt #ie4j #b4fj #a4fj #j4fe #a4gj #f4fe #ae4 ,oats #hf4j #b4he #a4ag #j4ej #b4jj #g4gj #af4 ,fine pollard #hf4j #e4fj #f4dd #a4df #b4jj #ac4ec #ag4 ,coarse pollard #hf4j #f4bj #g4eb #a4di #b4eh #ad4cf #ah4 ,wheat-bran #hf4j #f4fj #g4ie #a4de #b4ee #ad4ei #ai4 ,clover-hay #hd4j #g4ej #a4be #a4cj #b4ej #i4fd #bj4 ,meadow-hay #hd4j #f4jj #j4hh #a4ej #a4ej #f4dc #ba4 ,bean-straw #hb4e #e4ee #j4ij #a4aa #j4ij #c4hg #bb4 ,pea-straw #hb4j #e4ie #j4he #j4hi 4444 #c4gd #bc4 ,wheat-straw #hd4j #e4jj #j4ee #j4fe #j4fj #b4fh #bd4 ,barley-straw #he4j #d4ej #j4cg #j4fc #j4ej #b4be #be4 ,oat-straw #hc4j #e4ej #j4dh #j4ic #j4fj #b4ij #bf4 ,mangel-wurzel #ab4e #a4jj #j4ji #j4be #j4be #a4jg #bg4 ,swedish turnips #aa4j #j4fh #j4ac #j4ah #j4bb #j4ia #bh4 ,common turnips #h4j #j4fh #j4aa #j4bi #j4ah #j4hf #bi4 ,potatoes #bd4j #a4jj #j4cb #j4dc #j4ce #a4ej #cj4 ,carrots #ac4e #j4gj #j4ac #j4bc #j4bj #j4hj #ca4 ,parsnips #ae4j #a4jj #j4db #j4cf #j4bb #a4ad ---------------------------------------- -------------------- 99 ,the manure from a ton of undecorticated cotton-seed cake is worth #ae4gd2 that from a ton of cotton-seed1 after being ground and sifted1 is worth #ac4be4 ,the grinding and sifting in ,mr4 ,lawes' experiments1 removed about #h per cent of husk and cotton4 ,cotton-seed1 so treated1 proved to be a very rich and economical food4 ,middlings1 ,canielle4 ,shipstuff4 ,of all vegetable substances used for food1 it will be seen that decorticated cotton-seed cake is the richest in nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 and consequently makes the richest and most valuable manure4 ,according to ,mr4 ,lawes' estimate1 the manure from a ton of decorticated cotton-seed cake is worth #bg4hf in gold4 ,rape-cake comes next4 ,twenty-five to thirty years ago1 rape-cake1 ground as fine as corn-meal1 was used quite extensively on many of the light-land farms of ,england as a manure for turnips1 and not unfrequently as a manure for wheat4 ,mr4 ,lawes used it for many years in his experiments on turnips and on wheat4 ,of late years1 however1 it has been fed to sheep and cattle4 ,in other words1 it has been used1 not as formerly1 for manure alone1 but for food first1 and manure afterwards4 ,the oil and other carbonaceous matter which the cake contains is of little value for manure1 while it is of great value as food4 ,the animals take out this carbonaceous matter1 and leave nearly all the nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash in the manure4 ,farmers who had found it profitable to use on wheat and turnips for manure alone1 found it still more profitable to use it first for food1 and then for manure afterwards4 ,mr4 ,lawes1 it will be seen1 estimates the manure produced from the consumption of a ton of rape-cake at #ba4ja4 ,linseed-oil cake comes next4 ,pure linseed-cake is exceedingly valuable1 both for food and manure4 ,it is a favorite food with all cattle and sheep breeders and feeders4 ,it has a wonderful effect in improving the appearance of cattle and sheep4 ,an ,english farmer thinks he cannot get along without 8cake0 for his calves1 lambs1 cattle1 and sheep4 ,in this country1 it is not so extensively used1 except by the breeders of improved stock4 ,it is so popular in ,england that the price is fully up to its intrinsic value1 and not unfrequently other foods1 in proportion to the nutritive and manurial value1 can be bought cheaper4 ,this fact shows the value of a good reputation4 ,linseed-cake1 however1 is often adulterated1 and farmers need to be cautious who they deal with4 ,when pure1 it will be seen that the manure made by the consumption of a ton of linseed-cake is worth #ai4gb4 ,malt-dust stands next on the list4 ,this article is known by different names4 ,in ,england1 it is often called 8malt-combs20 here it is known as 8malt-sprouts10 or 8malt-roots40 ,in making barley into malt1 the barley is soaked in water1 and afterwards kept in a warm room until it germinates1 and throws out sprouts and roots4 ,it is then dried1 and before the malt is used1 these dried sprouts and roots are sifted out1 and are sold for cattle-food4 ,they weigh from #bb to #be lbs4 per bushel of #dj quarts4 ,they are frequently mixed at the breweries with the 8grains10 and are sold to milkmen at the same price--from #ab to #ae cents per bushel4 ,where their value is not known1 they can1 doubtless1 be sometimes obtained at a mere nominal price4 ,milkmen1 ,i believe1 prefer the 8grains0 to the malt-dust4 ,the latter1 however1 is a good food for sheep4 ,it has one advantage over brewer's 8grains40 ,the latter contain #gf per cent of water1 while the malt-dust contains only #f per cent of water4 ,we can afford1 therefore1 to transport malt-dust to a greater distance than the grains4 ,we do not want to carry water many miles4 ,there is another advantage3 brewer's grains soon ferment1 and become sour2 while the malt-dust1 being dry1 will keep for any length of time4 ,it will be seen that ,mr4 ,lawes estimates the value of the manure left from the consumption of a ton of malt-dust at #ah4ba4 ,tares or vetches1 lentils1 linseed or flaxseed1 beans1 wheat1 bran1 middlings1 fine mill-feed1 undecorticated cotton-seed cake1 peas1 and cotton-seed1 stand next on the list4 ,the value of these for manure ranging from #ac4be to #af4ge per ton4 ,then comes clover-hay4 ,mr4 ,lawes estimates the value of the manure from the consumption of a ton of clover-hay at #i4fd4 ,this is from early cut clover-hay4 ,when clover is allowed to grow until it is nearly out of flower1 the hay would not contain so much nitrogen1 and would not be worth quite so much per ton for manure4 ,when mixed with timothy or other grasses1 or with weeds1 it would not be so valuable4 ,the above estimate is for the average quality of good pure ,english clover-hay4 ,our best farmers raise clover equally as good2 but ,i have seen much clover-hay that certainly would not come up to this standard4 ,still1 even our common clover-hay makes rich manure4 ,in ,wolff's ,table1 given in the appendix1 it will be seen that clover-hay contains only #a4ig per cent of nitrogen and #e4g per cent of ash4 ,mr4 ,lawes' clover contains more nitrogen and ash4 ,this means richer land and a less mature condition of the crop4 ,the cereal grains1 wheat1 barley1 oats1 and ,indian corn1 stand next on the list1 being worth from #f4cb to #g4gj per ton for manure4 8,meadow-hay10 which in the table is estimated as worth #f4dc per ton for manure1 is the hay from permanent meadows4 ,it is a quite different article from the 8,english ,meadow-hay0 of ,new ,england4 ,it is1 in fact1 the perfection of hay4 ,the meadows are frequently top-dressed with composted manure or artificial fertilizers1 and the hay is composed of a number of the best grasses1 cut early and carefully cured4 ,it will be noticed1 however1 that even this choice meadow-hay is not as valuable for manure as clover-hay4 ,english bean-straw is estimated as worth #c4hg per ton for manure4 ,the ,english 8horse bean10 which is the kind here alluded to1 has a very stiff1 coarse long straw1 and looks as though it was much inferior as fodder1 to the straw of our ordinary white beans4 ,see ,wolff's table in the appendix4 ,pea-straw is estimated at #c4gd per ton4 ,when the peas are not allowed to grow until dead ripe1 and when the straw is carefully cured1 it makes capital food for sheep4 ,taking the grain and straw together1 it will be seen that peas are an unusually valuable crop to grow for the purpose of making rich manure4 ,the straw of oats1 wheat1 and barley1 is worth from #b4be to #b4ij per ton4 ,barley straw being the poorest for manure1 and oat straw the richest4 ,potatoes are worth #a4ej per ton1 or nearly #e cents a bushel for manure4 ,the manurial value of roots varies from #hj cents a ton for carrots1 to #a4jg for mangel-wurzel1 and #a4ad for parsnips4 ,i am very anxious that there should be no misapprehension as to the meaning of these figures4 ,i am sure they are well worth the careful study of every intelligent farmer4 ,mr4 ,lawes has been engaged in making experiments for over thirty years4 ,there is no man more competent to speak with authority on such a subject4 ,the figures showing the money value of the manure made from the different foods1 are based on the amount of nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 which they contain4 ,mr4 ,lawes has been buying and using artificial manures for many years1 and is quite competent to form a correct conclusion as to the cheapest sources of obtaining nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash4 ,he has certainly not overestimated their cost4 ,they can not be bought at lower rates1 either in ,england or ,america4 ,but of course it does not follow from this that these manures are worth to the farmer the price charged for them2 that is a matter depending on many conditions4 ,all that can be said is1 that if you are going to buy commercial manures1 you will have to pay at least as much for the nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 as the price fixed upon by ,mr4 ,lawes4 ,and you should recollect that there are other ingredients in the manure obtained from the food of animals1 which are not estimated as of any value in the table4 ,for instance1 there is a large amount of carbonaceous matter in the manure of animals1 which1 for some crops1 is not without value1 but which is not here taken into account4 ,viewed from a farmer's stand-point1 the table of money values must be taken only in a comparative sense4 ,it is not claimed that the manure from a ton of wheat-straw is worth #b4fh4 ,this may1 or may not1 be the case4 ,but if the manure from a ton of wheat-straw is worth #b4jh1 then the manure from a ton of pea-straw is worth #c4gd1 and the manure from a ton of corn-meal is worth #f4fe1 and the manure from a ton of clover-hay is worth #i4fd1 and the manure from a ton of wheat-bran is worth #ad4ei4 ,if the manure from a ton of corn meal is not worth #f4fe1 then the manure from a ton of bran is not worth #ad4ei4 ,if the manure from the ton of corn is worth more than #f4fe1 then the manure from a ton of bran is worth more than #ad4ei4 ,there need be no doubt on this point4 ,settle in your own mind what the manure from a ton of any one of the foods mentioned is worth on your farm1 and you can easily calculate what the manure is worth from all the others4 ,if you say that the manure from a ton of wheat-straw is worth #a4cd1 then the manure from a ton of ,indian corn is worth #c4cc1 and the manure from a ton of bran is worth #g4cj1 and the manure from a ton of clover-hay is worth #d4hb4 ,in this section1 however1 few good farmers are willing to sell straw1 though they can get from #h4jj to #aj4jj per ton for it4 ,they think it must be consumed on the farm1 or used for bedding1 or their land will run down4 ,i do not say they are wrong1 but ,i do say1 that if a ton of straw is worth #b4fh for manure alone1 then a ton of clover-hay is worth #i4fd for manure alone4 ,this may be accepted as a general truth1 and one which a farmer can act upon4 ,and so1 too1 in regard to the value of corn-meal1 bran1 and all the other articles given in the table4 ,there is another point of great importance which should be mentioned in this connection4 ,the nitrogen in the better class of foods is worth more for manure than the nitrogen in straw1 corn-stalks1 and other coarse fodder4 ,nearly all the nitrogen in grain1 and other rich foods1 is digested by the animals1 and is voided in solution in the urine4 ,in other words1 the nitrogen in the manure is in an active and available condition4 ,on the other hand1 only about half the nitrogen in the coarse fodders and straw is digestible4 ,the other half passes off in a crude and comparatively unavailable condition1 in the solid excrement4 ,in estimating the value of the manure from a ton of food1 these facts should be remembered4 ,i have said that if the manure from a ton of straw is worth #b4fh1 the manure from a ton of corn is worth #f4fe2 but ,i will not reverse the proposition1 and say that if the manure from a ton of corn is worth #f4fe1 the manure from a ton of straw is worth #b4fh4 ,the manure from the grain is nearly all in an available condition1 while that from the straw is not4 ,a pound of nitrogen in rich manure is worth more than a pound of nitrogen in poor manure4 ,this is another reason why we should try to make rich manure4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,horse ,,manure ,,and ,,farm-,,yard ,,manure4 ,the manure from horses is generally considered richer and better than that from cows4 ,this is not always the case1 though it is probably so as a rule4 ,there are three principal reasons for this4 #ast4 ,the horse is usually fed more grain and hay than the cow4 ,in other words1 the food of the horse is usually richer in the valuable elements of plant-food than the ordinary food of the cow4 #b;d4 ,the milk of the cow abstracts considerable nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 etc41 from the food1 and to this extent there is less of these valuable substances in the excrements4 #c;d4 ,the excrements of the cow contain much more water than those of the horse4 ,and consequently a ton of cow-dung1 other things being equal1 would not contain as much actual manure as a ton of horse-dung4 ,boussingault1 who is eminently trustworthy1 gives us the following interesting facts3 ,a horse consumed in #bd hours1 #bj lbs4 of hay1 #f lbs4 of oats1 and #dc lbs4 of water1 and voided during the same period1 #c lbs4 #g ozs4 of urine1 and #ch lbs4 #b ozs4 of solid excrements4 ,the solid excrements contained #bc lbs4 of water1 and the urine #b lbs4 #f ozs4 of water4 ,according to this1 a horse1 eating #bj lbs4 of hay1 and #f lbs4 of oats1 per day1 voids in a year nearly seven tons of solid excrements1 and #a1bee lbs4 of urine4 ,it would seem that there must have been some mistake in collecting the urine1 or what was probably the case1 that some of it must have been absorbed by the dung2 for #c pints of urine per day is certainly much less than is usually voided by a horse4 ,stockard gives the amount of urine voided by a horse in a year at #c1jjj lbs42 a cow1 #h1jjj lbs42 sheep1 #chj lbs42 pig1 #a1bjj lbs4 ,dr4 ,vlcker1 at the ,royal ,agricultural ,college1 at ,cirencester1 ,england1 made some valuable investigations in regard to the composition of farm-yard manure1 and the changes which take place during fermentation4 ,the manure was composed of horse1 cow1 and pig-dung1 mixed with the straw used for bedding in the stalls1 pig-pens1 sheds1 etc4 ,on the #c;d of ,november1 #ahed1 a sample of what ,dr4 ,vlcker calls 8,fresh ,long ,dung10 was taken from the 8manure-pit0 for analysis4 ,it had lain in the pit or heap about #ad days4 ,the following is the result of the analysis3 ,fresh ,farm-,yard ,manure4 ,half ,a ,ton1 ,or #a1jjj ,lbs4 ,water #ffa4g lbs4 ,organic matter #bhb4d 0 ,ash #ee4i 0 ------------- #a1jjj4j lbs4 ,nitrogen #f4dc 0 8,before you go any farther10 said the ,deacon1 8let me understand what these figures mean8 ,do you mean that a ton of manure contains only #ab lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #aaa lbs4 of ash1 and that all the rest is carbonaceous matter and water1 of little or no value80 --8,that is it precisely1 ,deacon10 said ,i1 8and furthermore1 a large part of the ash has very little fertilizing value1 as seen from the following3 ,detailed ,composition of the ,ash of ,fresh ,barn-,yard ,manure4 ,soluble silica #ba4ei ,insoluble silicious matter 7sand7 #aj4jd ,phosphate of lime #e4ce ,oxide of iron1 alumina1 with phosphate #h4dg ,containing phosphoric acid #c4ah ,lime #ba4ca ,magnesia #b4gf ,potash #ab4jd ,soda #a4cj ,chloride of sodium #j4ed ,sulphuric acid #a4di ,carbonic acid and loss #ae4aa ------ #ajj4jj ,nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 are the most valuable ingredients in manure4 ,it will be seen that a ton of fresh barn-yard manure1 of probably good average quality1 contains3 ,nitrogen #ab lbs4 ,phosphoric acid #f 0 ,potash #ac 0 ,i do not say that these are the only ingredients of any value in a ton of manure4 ,nearly all the other ingredients are indispensable to the growth of plants1 and if we should use manures containing nothing but nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 the time would come when the crops would fail1 from lack of a sufficient quantity of1 perhaps1 magnesia1 or lime1 sulphuric acid1 or soluble silica1 or iron4 ,but it is not necessary to make provision for such a contingency4 ,it would be a very exceptional case4 ,farmers who depend mainly on barn-yard manure1 or on plowing under green crops for keeping up the fertility of the land1 may safely calculate that the value of the manure is in proportion to the amount of nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 it contains4 ,we draw out a ton of fresh manure and spread it on the land1 therefore1 in order to furnish the growing crops with #ab lbs4 of nitrogen1 #f lbs4 of phosphoric acid1 and #ac lbs4 of potash4 ,less than #cc lbs4 in all6 ,we cannot dispense with farm-yard manure4 ,we can seldom buy nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 as cheaply as we can get them in home-made manures4 ,but we should clearly understand the fact that we draw out #b1jjj lbs4 of matter in order to get #cc lbs4 of these fertilizing ingredients4 ,we should try to make richer manure4 ,a ton of manure containing #fj lbs4 of nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 costs no more to draw out and spread1 than a ton containing only #cj lbs41 and it would be worth nearly or quite double the money4 ,how to make richer manure we will not discuss at this time4 ,it is a question of food4 ,but it is worth while to enquire if we can not take such manure as we have1 and reduce its weight and bulk without losing any of its nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,fermenting ,,manure4 ,dr4 ,vlcker placed #b1hch lbs4 of fresh mixed manure in a heap ,nov4 #c1 #ahed1 and the next spring1 ,april #cj1 it weighed #b1jbf lbs41 a shrinkage in weight of #bh4f per cent4 ,in other words #ajj tons of such manure would be reduced to less than #ga tons4 ,the heap was weighed again1 ,august #bc;d1 and contained #a1iid lbs4 ,it was again weighed ,nov4 #ae1 and contained #a1igd lbs4 ,the following table shows the composition of the heap when first put up1 and also at the three subsequent periods3 ,table ,showing ,composition of the ,whole ,heap2 ,fresh ,farm-,yard ,manure 7,no4 ,i47 ,exposed--,expressed in ,lbs4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,when put ,april #cj1;,aug4 #bc1 ,nov4 #ae1 up1 ,nov4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #c1 #ahed4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,weight of manure in lbs4 #b1hch #b1jbf #a1iid #a1igd ,amt4 of water in the manure #a1hgg4i #a1ccf4a #a1eje4c #a1dff4e ,amt4 of dry matter in the manure #ifj4a #fhi4i #dhh4g #ejg4e ,consisting of-- ,soluble organic matter #gj4ch #hf4ea #eh4hc #ed4jd ,soluble mineral matter #dc4ga #eg4hh #ci4af #cf4hi ,insoluble organic matter #gca4jg #chi4gd #bdc4bb #bad4ib ,insoluble mineral matter #aad4ib #aee4gg #adg4di #bja4fe -------- -------- -------- -------- #ifj4a #fhi4i #dhh4g #ejg4e ,containing nitrogen #d4bb #f4jg #c4gf #c4fe ,equal to ammonia #e4ab #g4cg #d4ef #d4cf ,containing nitrogen #ad4ja #ab4jg #i4ch #i4ch ,equal to ammonia #ag4jb #ad4fe #aa4dj #aa4ci -------- -------- -------- -------- ,total amount of nitrogen in manure #ah4bc #ah4ad #ac4ad #ac4jc ,equal to ammonia #bb4ad #bb4jb #ae4if #ae4ge ,the manure contains ammonia in free state 4#if 4#ae 4#bj 4#aa ,the manure contains ammonia in form of salts1 easily decomposed by quicklime #b4di #a4ga 4#ge 4#hj ,total amount of organic matters #hja4de #dgf4be #cjb4je #bfh4if ,total amount of mineral matters #aeh4ae #bac4fe #ahf4fe #bch4ed ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ 8,it will be remarked10 says ,dr4 ,vlcker1 8that in the first experimental period1 the fermentation of the dung1 as might have been expected1 proceeded most rapidly1 but that1 notwithstanding1 very little nitrogen was dissipated in the form of volatile ammonia2 and that on the whole1 the loss which the manure sustained was inconsiderable when compared with the enormous waste to which it was subject in the subsequent warmer and more rainy seasons of the year4 ,thus we find at the end of ,april very nearly the same amount of nitrogen which is contained in the fresh2 whereas1 at the end of ,august1 #bg4i per cent of the total nitrogen1 or nearly one-third of the nitrogen in the manure1 has been wasted in one way or the other4 8,it is worthy of observation10 continues ,dr4 ,vlcker1 8that1 during a well-regulated fermentation of dung1 the loss in intrinsically valuable constituents is inconsiderable1 and that in such a preparatory process the efficacy of the manure becomes greatly enhanced4 ,for certain purposes fresh dung can never take the place of well-rotted dung4 99 99 ,the farmer will1 therefore1 always be compelled to submit a portion of home-made dung to fermentation1 and will find satisfaction in knowing that this process1 when well regulated1 is not attended with any serious depreciation of the value of the manure4 ,in the foregoing analyses he will find the direct proof that as long as heavy showers of rain are excluded from manure-heaps1 or the manure is kept in water-proof pits1 the most valuable fertilizing matters are preserved40 ,this experiment of ,dr4 ,vlcker proves conclusively that manure can be kept in a rapid state of fermentation for six months during winter1 with little loss of nitrogen or other fertilizing matter4 ,during fermentation a portion of the insoluble matter of the dung becomes soluble1 and if the manure is then kept in a heap exposed to rain1 there is a great loss of fertilizing matter4 ,this is precisely what we should expect4 ,we ferment manure to make it more readily available as plant-food1 and when we have attained our object1 the manure should be applied to the land4 ,we keep winter apples in the cellar until they get ripe4 ,as soon as they are ripe1 they should be eaten1 or they will rapidly decay4 ,this is well understood4 ,and it should be equally well known that manure1 after it has been fermenting in a heap for six months1 cannot safely be kept for another six months exposed to the weather4 ,the following table shows the composition of #ajj lbs4 of the farm-yard manure1 at different periods of the year3 ,composition of #ajj ,lbs4 of ,fresh ,farm-,yard ,manure 7,no4 ,i47 ,exposed in ,natural ,state1 at ,different ,periods of the ,year4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,when put,feb4 #ad1;,apr4 #cj1;,aug4 #bc1,nov4 #ae1 up1 ,nov4#ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #c1 #ahed4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,water #ff4ag #fi4hc #fe4ie #ge4di #gd4bi ,soluble organic matter #b4dh #c4hf #d4bg #b4ie #b4gd ,soluble inorganic matter #a4ed #b4ig #b4hf #a4ig #a4hg ,insoluble organic matter #be4gf #ah4dd #ai4bc #ab4bj #aj4hi ,insoluble mineral matter #d4je #d4ij #g4fi #g4ci #aj4ba ---------------------------------------- #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj ,containing nitrogen 4#adi 4#bg 4#cj 4#ai 4#ah ,equal to ammonia 4#aha 4#cb 4#cf 4#bc 4#ba ,containing nitrogen 4#did 4#dg 4#ei 4#dg 4#dg ,equal to ammonia 4#eii 4#eg 4#ga 4#fb 4#eg ,total amount of nitrogen 4#fdc 4#gd 4#hi 4#ff 4#fe ,equal to ammonia 4#ghj 4#hi #a4jg 4#he 4#gh ,ammonia in a free state 4#jcd 4#jdi 4#jjh 4#jaj 4#jjf ,ammonia in form of salts easily decomposed by quicklime 4#jhh 4#jfd 4#jhe 4#jch 4#jda ,total amt4 of organic #bh4bd #bb4cj #bc4ej #ae4ae #ac4fc matter ,total amt4 of mineral #e4ei #g4hg #aj4ee #i4cf #ab4jh substances ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,it will be seen that two-thirds of the fresh manure is water4 ,after fermenting in an exposed heap for six months1 it still contains about the same percentage of water4 ,when kept in the heap until ,august1 the percentage of water is much greater4 ,of four tons of such manure1 three tons are water4 ,of ,nitrogen1 the most valuable ingredient of the manure1 the fresh dung1 contained #j4fd per cent2 after fermenting six months1 it contained #j4hi per cent4 ,six months later1 it contained #j4fe per cent1 or about the same amount as the fresh manure4 ,of mineral matter1 or ash1 this fresh farm-yard manure contained #e4ei per cent2 of which #a4ed was soluble in water1 and #d4je insoluble4 ,after fermenting in the heap for six months1 the manure contained #aj4ee per cent of ash1 of which #b4hf was soluble1 and #g4fi insoluble4 ,six months later1 the soluble ash had decreased to #a4ig per cent4 ,the following table shows the composition of the manure1 at different periods1 in the dry state4 ,in other words1 supposing all the water to be removed from the manure1 its composition would be as follows3 ,composition of ,fresh ,farm-,yard ,manure 7,no4 ,i47 ,exposed4 ,calculated ,dry4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,when put,feb4 #ad1;,apr4 #cj1;,aug4 #bc1,nov4 #ae1 up1 ,nov4#ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #c1 #ahed4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,soluble organic matter #g4cc #ab4gi #ab4ed #ab4jd #aj4fe ,soluble inorganic matter #d4ee #i4hd #h4ci #h4jc #g4bg ,insoluble organic matter #gf4ae #fa4ab #ef4di #di4gg #db4ce ,insoluble mineral matter #aa4ig #af4be #bb4eh #cj4af #ci4gc ---------------------------------------- #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj ,containing nitrogen 4#dd 4#ia 4#hh 4#gg 4#gb ,equal to ammonia 4#ec #a4aj #a4jf 4#ic 4#hh ,containing nitrogen #a4df #a4ee #a4ge #a4ib #a4he ,equal to ammonia #a4gg #a4hh #b4ab #b4cc #b4bd ,total amount of nitrogen #a4ij #b4df #b4fc #b4fi #b4eg ,equal to ammonia #b4cj #b4ih #c4ah #c4bf #c4ab ,ammonia in free state 4#aj 4#jfb 4#jbc 4#jda 4#jbc ,ammonia in form of salts easily decomposed by quicklime 4#bf 4#bab 4#bdi 4#aed 4#aei ,total amount of organic matter #hc4dh #gc4ia #fi4jc #fa4ha #ec4jj ,total amount of mineral substances #af4eb #bf4ji #cj4ig #ch4ai #dg4jj ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- 8,a comparison of these different analyses10 says ,dr4 ,vlcker1 8points out clearly the changes which fresh farm-yard manure undergoes on keeping in a heap1 exposed to the influence of the weather during a period of twelve months and twelve days4 8#a4 ,it will be perceived that the proportion of organic matter steadily diminishes from month to month1 until the original percentage of organic matter in the dry manure1 amounting to #hc4dh per cent1 becomes reduced to #ec per cent4 8#b4 ,on the other hand1 the total percentage of mineral matter rises as steadily as that of the organic matter falls4 8#c4 ,it will be seen that the loss in organic matter affects the percentage of insoluble organic matters more than the percentage of soluble organic substances4 8#d4 ,the percentage of soluble organic matters1 indeed1 increased considerably during the first experimental period2 it rose1 namely1 from #g4cc per cent to #ab4gi per cent4 ,examined again on the #cjth of ,april1 very nearly the same percentage of soluble organic matter1 as on ,february the #adth1 was found4 ,the ,august analysis shows but a slight decrease in the percentage of soluble organic matters1 while there is a decrease of #b per cent of soluble organic matters when the ,november analysis is compared with the ,february analysis4 8#e4 ,the soluble mineral matters in this manure rise or fall in the different experimental periods in the same order as the soluble organic matters4 ,thus1 in ,february1 #i4hd per cent of soluble mineral matters were found1 whilst the manure contained only #d4ee per cent1 when put up into a heap in ,november1 #ahed4 ,gradually1 however1 the proportion of soluble mineral matters again diminished1 and became reduced to #g4bg per cent1 on the examination of the manure in ,november1 #ahee4 8#f4 ,a similar regularity will be observed in the percentage of nitrogen contained in the soluble organic matters4 8#g4 ,in the insoluble organic matters1 the percentage of nitrogen regularly increased from ,november1 #ahed1 up to the #bc;d of ,august1 notwithstanding the rapid diminution of the percentage of insoluble organic matter4 ,for the last experimental period1 the percentage of nitrogen in the insoluble matter is nearly the same as on ,august #bc;d4 8#h4 ,with respect to the total percentage of nitrogen in the fresh manure1 examined at different periods of the year1 it will be seen that the ,february manure contains about one-half per cent more of nitrogen than the manure in a perfectly fresh state4 ,on the #cjth of ,april1 the percentage of nitrogen again slightly increased2 on ,august #bc;d1 it remained stationary1 and had sunk but very little when last examined on the #aeth of ,november1 #ahee4 8,this series of analyses thus shows that fresh farm-yard manure rapidly becomes more soluble in water1 but that this desirable change is realized at the expense of a large proportion of organic matters4 ,it likewise proves1 in an unmistakable manner1 that there is no advantage in keeping farm-yard manure for too long a period2 for1 after ,february1 neither the percentage of soluble organic1 nor that of soluble mineral matter1 has become greater1 and the percentage of nitrogen in the manure of ,april and ,august is only a very little higher than in ,february40 8,before you go any further10 said the ,deacon1 8answer me this question3 ,suppose ,i take five tons of farm-yard manure1 and put it in a heap on the #c;d of ,november1 tell me1 #ast1 what that heap will contain when first made2 #b;d1 what the heap will contain ,april #cjth2 and1 #c;d1 what the heap will contain ,august #bc;d40 ,here is the table3 ,contents of a ,heap of ,manure at ,different ,periods1 ,exposed to ,rain1 etc4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,when ,apr4 #cj4 ,aug4 #bc4 ,nov4 #ae4 put up1 ,nov4 #c4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,total weight of manure in heap #aj1jjj #g1ach #g1jbe #f1ied ,water in the heap of manure #f1fag #d1gjg #e1cjd #e1afg ,total organic matter #b1hbd #a1fgh #a1jcd #idg ,total inorganic matter #eei #gec #feg #hdj ,total nitrogen in heap #fd4c #fc4i #df4c #df4j ,total soluble organic matter #bdh #cje #bjg #aij ,total insoluble organic matter #b1egf #a1cgc #heg #geg ,soluble mineral matter #aed #bjd #ach #acj ,insoluble mineral matter #dje #edi #eai #gaj ,nitrogen in soluble matter #ad4i #ba4d #ac4b #ab4i ,nitrogen in insoluble matter #di4d #db4e #cc4a #cc4a ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,the ,deacon put on his spectacles and studied the above table carefully for some time4 8,that tells the whole story10 said he1 8you put five tons of fresh manure in a heap1 it ferments and gets warm1 and nearly one ton of water is driven off by the heat40 8,yes10 said the ,doctor1 8you see that over half a ton 7#a1adf lbs47 of dry organic matter has been slowly burnt up in the heap2 giving out as much heat as half a ton of coal burnt in a stove4 ,but this is not all4 ,the manure is cooked1 and steamed1 and softened by the process4 ,the organic matter burnt up is of no value4 ,there is little or no loss of nitrogen4 ,the heap contained #fd4c lbs4 of nitrogen when put up1 and #fc4i lbs4 after fermenting six months4 ,and it is evident that the manure is in a much more active and available condition than if it had been applied to the land in the fresh state4 ,there was #ad4i lbs4 of nitrogen in a soluble condition in the fresh manure1 and #ba4d lbs4 in the fermented manure4 ,and what is equally important1 you will notice that there is #aed lbs4 of soluble ash in the heap of fresh manure1 and #bjd lbs4 in the heap of fermented manure4 ,in other words1 #ej lbs4 of the insoluble mineral matter had1 by the fermentation of the manure1 been rendered soluble1 and consequently immediately available as plant-food4 ,this is a very important fact40 ,the ,doctor is right4 ,there is clearly a great advantage in fermenting manure1 provided it is done in such a manner as to prevent loss4 ,we have not only less manure to draw out and spread1 but the plant-food which it contains1 is more soluble and active4 ,the table we have given shows that there is little or no loss of valuable constituents1 even when manure is fermented in the open air and exposed to ordinary rain and snows during an ,english winter4 ,but it also shows that when the manure has been fermented for six months1 and is then turned and left exposed to the rain of spring and summer1 the loss is very considerable4 ,the five tons 7#aj1jjj lbs417 of fresh manure placed in a heap on the #c;d of ,november1 are reduced to #g1ach lbs4 by the #cjth of ,april4 ,of this #d1gjg lbs4 is water4 ,by the #bc;d of ,august1 the heap is reduced to #g1jbe lbs41 of which #e1cjd lbs4 is water4 ,there is nearly #fjj lbs4 more water in the heap in ,august than in ,april4 ,of total nitrogen in the heap1 there is #fd4c lbs4 in the fresh manure1 #fc4i lbs4 in ,april1 and only #df4c lbs4 in ,august4 ,this is a great loss1 and there is no compensating gain4 ,we have seen that1 when five tons of manure is fermented for six months1 in winter1 the nitrogen in the soluble organic matter is increased from #ad4i lbs4 to #ba4d lbs4 ,this is a decided advantage4 ,but when the manure is kept for another six months1 this soluble nitrogen is decreased from #ba4d lbs4 to #ac4b lbs4 ,we lose over #h lbs4 of the most active and available nitrogen4 ,and the same remarks will apply to the valuable soluble mineral matter4 ,in the five tons of fresh manure there is #aed lbs4 of soluble mineral matter4 ,by fermenting the heap six months1 we get #bjd lbs41 but by keeping the manure six months longer1 the soluble mineral matter is reduced to #ach lbs4 ,we lose #ff lbs4 of valuable soluble mineral matter4 ,by fermenting manure for six months in winter1 we greatly improve its condition2 by keeping it six months longer1 we lose largely of the very best and most active parts of the manure4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,keeping ,,manure ,,under ,,cover4 ,dr4 ,vlcker1 at the same time he made the experiments alluded to in the preceding chapter1 placed another heap of manure under cover1 in a shed4 ,it was the same kind of manure1 and was treated precisely as the other--the only difference being that one heap was exposed to the rain1 and the other not4 ,the following table gives the results of the weighings of the heap at different times1 and also the percentage of loss3 ,manure ,fermented ,under ,cover in ,shed4 ,table ,showing the ,actual ,weighings1 and ,percentage of ,loss in ,weight1 of ,experimental ,heap 7,no4 ,,ii47 ,fresh ,farm-,yard ,manure ,under ,shed1 at ,different ,periods of the ,year4 ,weight ,loss in ,percentage of original of ,loss4 ,manure weight in ,lbs4 in ,lbs4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- ,put up on the #c;d of ,november1 #ahed #c1beh ,weighed on the #cjth of ,april1 #ahee1 or after a lapse of #f months #a1fac #a1fde #ej4d ,weighed on the #bc;d of ,august1 #ahee1 or after a lapse of #i months and #bj days #a1big #a1ifa #fj4j ,weighed on the #aeth of ,november1 #ahee1 or after a lapse of #ab months and #ab days #a1bce #b1jbc #fb4a ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- ,it will be seen that #ajj tons of manure1 kept in a heap under cover for six months1 would be reduced to #di4f-aj tons4 ,whereas1 when the same manure was fermented for the same length of time in the open air1 the #ajj tons was reduced to only #ga4d-aj tons4 ,the difference is due principally to the fact that the heap exposed contained more water1 derived from rain and snow1 than the heap kept under cover4 ,this1 of course1 is what we should expect4 ,let us look at the results of ,dr4 ,vlcker's analyses3 ,table ,showing the ,composition of ,experimental ,heap 7,no4 ,,ii47 ,fresh ,farmyard ,manure ,under ,shed1 in ,natural ,state at ,different ,periods of the ,year4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,when put,feb4 #ad1;,apr4 #cj1;,aug4 #bc1,nov4 #ae1 up1 ,nov4#ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #c1 #ahed4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,water #ff4ag #fg4cb #ef4hi #dc4dc #da4ff 99 ,soluble organic matter #b4dh #b4fc #d4fc #d4ac #e4cg ,soluble inorganic matter #a4ed #b4ab #c4ch #c4je #d4dc ,insoluble organic matter #be4gf #bj4df #be4dc #bf4ja #bg4fi ,insoluble mineral matter #d4je #g4dg #i4fg #bc4ch #bj4he ---------------------------------------- #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#adi 4#ag 4#bg 4#bf 4#db ,equal to ammonia 4#aha 4#bj 4#cb 4#ca 4#ea ,containing nitrogen 4#did 4#eh 4#ib #a4ja #a4ji ,equal to ammonia 4#eii 4#gj #a4aa #a4bc #a4ca ,total amount of nitrogen 4#fdc 4#ge #a4ai #a4bg #a4ea ,equal to ammonia 4#ghj 4#ij #a4dc #a4ed #a4hb ,ammonia in free state 4#jcd 4#jbb 4#jee 4#jae 4#jai ,ammonia in form of salts easily decomposed by quicklime 4#jhh 4#jed 4#aja 4#ajc 4#adf ,total amount of organic matter #bh4bd #bc4ji #cj4jf #cj4ad #cc4jf ,total amount of mineral substance #e4ei #i4ei #ac4je #bf4dc #be4bh ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,table ,showing the ,composition of ,experimental ,heap 7,no4 ,,ii47 ,fresh ,farmyard ,manure ,under ,shed1 ,calculated ,dry1 at ,different ,periods of the ,year4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,when put,feb4 #ad1;,apr4 #cj1;,aug4 #bc1,nov4 #ae1 up1 ,nov4#ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #c1 #ahed4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- 99 ,soluble organic matter #g4cc #h4jd #aj4gd #g4cj #i4bj ,soluble inorganic matter #d4ee #f4dh #g4hd #e4ci #g4ei ,insoluble organic matter #gf4ae #fb4fj #eh4ii #de4ig #dg4df ,insoluble mineral matter #aa4ig #bb4hh #bb4dc #da4cd #ce4ge ---------------------------------------- #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#dd 4#ec 4#fc 4#df 4#gb ,equal to ammonia 4#ec 4#ff 4#ge 4#ef 4#hh ,containing nitrogen #a4df #a4gg #b4ad #a4gh #a4hh ,equal to ammonia #a4gg #b4ad #b4ei #b4af #b4bf ,total amount of nitrogen #a4ij #b4cj #b4gg #b4bd #b4fj ,equal to ammonia #b4cj #b4hj #c4ce #b4gb #c4jh ,ammonia in free state 4#aj 4#jfg 4#abg 4#jbf 4#jcc ,ammonia in form of salts1 easily decomposed by quicklime 4#bf 4#afe 4#bcd 4#ahb 4#bej ,total amount of organic matter #hc4dh #gj4fd #fi4gc #ec4bg #ef4ff ,total amount of mineral substance #af4eb #bi4cf #cj4bg #df4gc #dc4cd ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,the above analyses are of value to those who buy fresh and fermented manure4 ,they can form some idea of what they are getting4 ,if they buy a ton of fresh manure in ,november1 they get #ab lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #cj lbs4 of soluble mineral matter4 ,if they buy a ton of the same manure that has been kept under cover until ,february1 they get1 nitrogen1 #ae lbs42 soluble minerals1 #db lbs4 ,in ,april1 they get1 nitrogen1 #bc lbs42 soluble minerals1 #fg lbs4 ,in ,august1 they get1 nitrogen1 #be lbs42 soluble minerals1 #fa lbs4 ,in ,november1 when the manure is over one year old1 they get1 in a ton1 nitrogen1 #cj lbs42 soluble minerals1 #hh lbs4 ,when manure has not been exposed1 it is clear that a purchaser can afford to pay considerably more for a ton of rotted manure than for a ton of fresh manure4 ,but waiving this point for the present1 let us see how the matter stands with the farmer who makes and uses the manure4 ,what does he gain by keeping and fermenting the manure under cover8 ,the following table shows the weight and composition of the entire heap of manure1 kept under cover1 at different times3 ,table ,showing ,composition of ,entire ,experimental ,heap 7,no4 ,,ii47 ,fresh ,farm-,yard ,manure1 ,under ,shed4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,when put ,april #cj1;,aug4 #bc1 ,nov4 #ae1 up1 ,nov4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #c1 #ahed4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,weight of manure #c1beh4 #a1fac4 #a1big4 #a1bce4 ----------------------------------- ,amount of water in the manure #b1aef4 #iag4f #efc4b #ead4e ,amount of dry matter #a1ajb4 #fie4d #gcc4h #gbj4e 99 ,consisting of soluble organic matter #hj4gg #gd4fh #ec4ef #ff4bh ,soluble mineral matter #ej4ad #ed4ea #ci4ee #ed4fh ,insoluble organic matter #hci4ag #daj4bd #ccg4cb #cda4ig ,insoluble mineral matter #aca4ib #aee4ig #cjc4cg #beg4eg ----------------------------------- #a1ajb4 #fie4d #gcc4h #gbj4e 99 ,containing nitrogen #d4he #d4ch #c4df #e4be ,equal to ammonia #e4hh #e4cc #d4bj #f4cg ,containing nitrogen #af4jh #ad4hh #ac4jh #ac4ed ,equal to ammonia #ai4ei #ag4df #ae4hh #af4dd ,total amount of nitrogen in manure #bj4ic #ai4bf #af4ed #ah4gi ,equal to ammonia #be4dj #bb4gi #bj4jh #bb4ha ,the manure contains ammonia in free state #a4aj 4#hh 4#ai 4#bc ,the manure contains ammonia in form of salts1 easily decomposed by quicklime #b4hf #a4fb #a4cc #a4hj ,total amount of organic matter #iai4id #dhd4ib #cij4hh #djh4be ,total amount of mineral matter #ahb4jf #baj4dh #cdb4ib #cab4ce ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,this is the table1 as given by ,dr4 ,vlcker4 ,for the sake of comparison1 we will figure out what the changes would be in a heap of five tons 7#aj1jjj lbs47 of manure1 when fermented under cover1 precisely in the same way as we did with the heap fermented in the open air1 exposed to the rain4 ,the following is the table3 ,contents of a ,heap ,of ,manure at ,different ,periods4 ,fermented ,under ,cover4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,when put ,april #cj1;,aug4 #bc1 ,nov4 #ae1 up1 ,nov4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #c1 #ahed4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,total weight of manure in heap #aj1jjj #d1ifj #d1jjj #c1gij ,water in the heap of manure #f1fag #b1hbb #a1gcg #a1egi ,total organic matter #b1hbd #a1dij #a1bje #a1bec ,total inorganic matter #eei #fdf #a1jeg #ieh ,total nitrogen in heap #fd4c #ei #ej4h #eg4b ,total soluble organic matter #bdh #bcj #afe #bjc4e ,insoluble organic matter #b1egf #a1bfj #a1jdj #a1jdi ,soluble mineral matter #aed #afg #abb #afh ,insoluble mineral matter #dje #dgi #ice #gij ,nitrogen in soluble matter #ad4i #ac4d #aj4d #ae4i ,nitrogen in insoluble matter #di4d #de4f #dj4d #da4c ,total dry matter in heap #c1chc #b1jch #b1bfc #b1baa ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,it will be seen that the heap of manure kept under cover contained1 on the #cjth of ,april1 less soluble organic matter1 less soluble mineral matter1 less soluble nitrogenous matter1 and less total nitrogen than the heap of manure exposed to the weather4 ,this is precisely what ,i should have expected4 ,the heap of manure in the shed probably fermented more rapidly than the heap out of doors1 and there was not water enough in the manure to retain the carbonate of ammonia1 or to favor the production of organic acids4 ,the heap was too dry4 ,if it could have received enough of the liquid from the stables to have kept it moderately moist1 the result would have been very different4 ,we will postpone further consideration of this point at present1 and look at the results of another of ,dr4 ,vlcker's interesting experiments4 ,dr4 ,vlcker wished to ascertain the effect of three common methods of managing manure3 #ast4 ,keeping it in a heap in the open air in the barn-yard1 or field4 #b;d4 ,keeping it in a heap under cover in a shed4 #c;d4 ,keeping it spread out over the barn-yard4 8,you say these are common methods of managing manure10 remarked the ,deacon1 8but ,i never knew any one in this country take the trouble to spread manure over the yard40 8,perhaps not10 ,i replied1 8but you have known a good many farmers who adopt this very method of keeping their manure4 ,they do not spread it--but they let it lie spread out over the yards1 just wherever it happens to be40 ,let us see what the effect of this treatment is on the composition and value of the manure4 ,we have examined the effect of keeping manure in a heap in the open air1 and also of keeping it in a heap under cover4 ,now let us see how these methods compare with the practice of leaving it exposed to the rains1 spread out in the yard4 ,on the #crd of ,november1 #ahed1 ,dr4 ,vlcker weighed out #a1feb lbs4 of manure similar to that used in the preceding experiments1 and spread it out in the yard4 ,it was weighed ,april #cj1 and again ,august #bc1 and ,november #ae4 ,the following table gives the actual weight of the manure at the different periods1 also the actual amount of the water1 organic matter1 ash1 nitrogen1 etc43 ,table ,showing the ,weight and ,composition of ,entire ,mass of ,experimental ,manure 7,no4 ,iii471 ,fresh ,farm-,yard ,manure1 ,spread in ,open ,yard at ,different ,periods of the ,year4 ,in ,natural ,state4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,when put ,april #cj1;,aug4 #bc1 ,nov4 #ae1 up1 ,nov4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #c1 #ahed4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,weight of manure #a1feb4 #a1dbi4 #a1jab4 #iej4 ----------------------------------- ,amount of water in the manure #a1jic4 #a1adc4 #gji4c #fbb4h ,amount of dry matter #eei4 #bhe4e #cjb4g #cbg4b 99 ,consisting of soluble organic matter #dj4ig #af4ee #d4if #c4ie ,soluble mineral matter #be4dc #ad4da #f4dg #e4eb ,insoluble organic matter #dbe4fg #afc4gi #ajf4ha #id4de ,insoluble mineral matter #ff4ic #ij4ge #ahd4df #bbc4bh ----------------------------------- #eei4jj #bhe4ej #cjb4gj #cbg4bj 99 ,containing nitrogen #c4bh #a4ai 4#fj 4#cb ,equal to ammonia #c4ih #a4dd 4#gc 4#ci ,containing nitrogen #f4ba #f4ea #c4ed #c4ef ,equal to ammonia #g4ed #g4ij #d4bi #d4be ,total amount of nitrogen in manure #i4ai #g4gj #d4ad #c4hh ,equal to ammonia #aa4eb #i4cd #e4jb #d4fd ,the manure contains ammonia in free state 4#ee 4#ad 4#ac 4#jjee ,the manure contains ammonia in form of salts1 easily decomposed by quicklime #a4de 4#fb 4#ee 4#bh ,total amount of organic matter #dff4fd #ahj4cd #aaa4gg #ih4dj ,total amount of mineral matter #ib4cf #aje4af #aij4ic #bbh4hj ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- 8,one moment10 said the ,deacon4 8,these tables are a little confusing4 ,the table you have just given shows the actual weight of the manure in the heap1 and what it contained at different periods40 --8,yes10 said ,i1 8and the table following shows what #ajj lbs4 of this manure1 spread out in the yard1 contained at the different dates mentioned4 ,it shows how greatly manure deteriorates by being exposed to rain1 spread out on the surface of the yard4 ,the table merits careful study40 ,table ,showing ,composition of ,experimental ,heap 7,no4 ,,iii474 ,fresh ,farm ,yard ,manure1 ,spread in ,open ,yard1 at ,different ,periods of the ,year4 ,in ,natural ,state4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,when put ,april #cj1;,aug4 #bc1,nov4 #ae1 up1 ,nov4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #c1 #ahed4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,water #ff4ag #hj4jb #gj4ji #fe4ef 99 ,soluble organic matter #b4dh #a4af 4#di 4#db ,soluble inorganic matter #a4ed #a4ja 4#fd 4#eg ,insoluble organic matter #be4gf #aa4df #aj4ef #i4id ,insoluble mineral matter #d4je #f4ce #ah4bb #bc4ea ----------------------------------- #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#adi 4#jh 4#jf 4#jc ,equal to ammonia 4#aha 4#fi 4#jg 4#jcf ,containing nitrogen 4#did 4#de 4#ce 4#cf ,equal to ammonia 4#eii 4#ed 4#db 4#df ,total amount of nitrogen 4#fdc 4#ec 4#da 4#ci ,equal to ammonia 4#ghj 4#fc 4#di 4#dif ,ammonia in free state 4#jcd 4#jaj 4#jab 4#jjjf ,ammonia in form of salts1 easily decomposed by quicklime 4#jhh 4#jde 4#jea 4#jcj ,total amount of organic matter #bh4bd #ab4fb #aa4je #aj4cf ,total amount of mineral substance #e4ei #g4cf #ah4hf #bd4jh ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,the following table shows the composition of the manure1 calculated dry3 ,table ,showing ,composition of ,experimental ,heap 7,no4 ,,iii471 ,fresh ,farm ,yard ,manure1 ,spread in ,open ,yard1 at ,different ,periods of the ,year4 ,calculated ,dry4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,when put ,april #cj1;,aug4 #bc1,nov4 #ae1 up1 ,nov4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #ahee4 #c1 #ahed4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- 99 ,soluble organic matter #g4cc #e4hj #a4fd #a4ba ,soluble inorganic matter #d4ee #e4je #b4ad #a4fi ,insoluble organic matter #gf4ae #eg4cg #ce4cj #bh4hf ,insoluble mineral matter #aa4ig #ca4gh #fj4ib #fh4bd ----------------------------------- #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj #ajj4jj 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#dd 4#db 4#bj 4#aj ,equal to ammonia 4#ec 4#ea 4#bd 4#ab ,containing nitrogen #a4df #b4bh #a4ag #a4ji ,equal to ammonia #a4gg #b4gf #a4da #a4cb ,total amount of nitrogen #a4ij #b4gj #a4cg #a4ai ,equal to ammonia #b4cj #c4bg #a4fe #a4dd ,ammonia in free state 4#aj 4#je 4#jdj 4#jjag ,ammonia in form of salts1 easily decomposed by quicklime 4#bf 4#bbe 4#aga 4#jhg ,total amount of organic matter #hc4dh #fc4ag #cf4id #cj4jg ,total amount of mineral substance #af4eb #cf4hc #fc4jf #fi4ic ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,i have made out the following table1 showing what would be the changes in a heap of #e tons 7#aj1jjj lbs47 of manure1 spread out in the yard1 so that we can readily see the effect of this method of management as compared with the other two methods of keeping the manure in compact heaps1 one exposed1 the other under cover4 ,the following is the table3 ,contents of the ,mass of ,manure1 ,spread ,out in ,farm-,yard1 and ,exposed to ,rain1 ,etc4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,when ,apr4 #cj4;,aug4 #bc4 ,nov4 #ae4 spread out1 ,nov4 #c4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,total weight of manure #aj1jjj #h1cej #f1acj #e1gej ,water in the manure #f1fag #f1ibb #d1big #c1gga ,total organic matter #b1hbd #a1jib #fgg #eie ,total inorganic matter #eei #fcf #a1aee #a1chd ,total nitrogen in manure #fd4c #de4i #be #bb4d ,total soluble organic matter #bdh #ajj #cj #bd ,insoluble organic matter #b1egf #iib #fdg #ega ,soluble mineral matter #aed #hg #ci #cc ,insoluble mineral matter #dje #edi #a1aaf #a1cea ,nitrogen in soluble matter #ad4i #f4i #c4f #a4g ,nitrogen in insoluble matter #di4d #ci #ba4d #bj4g ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,it is not necessary to make many remarks on this table4 ,the facts speak for themselves4 ,it will be seen that there is considerable loss even by letting the manure lie spread out until spring2 but1 serious as this loss is1 it is small compared to the loss sustained by allowing the manure to lie exposed in the yard during the summer4 ,in the five tons of fresh manure1 we have1 ,november #c1 #fd4c lbs4 of nitrogen2 ,april #cj1 we have #df lbs42 ,august #bc1 only #be lbs4 ,this is a great loss of the most valuable constituent of the manure4 ,of soluble mineral matter1 the next most valuable ingredient1 we have in the five tons of fresh manure1 ,november #c1 #aed lbs42 ,april #cj1 #hg lbs42 and ,august #bc1 only #ci lbs4 ,of soluble nitrogen1 the most active and valuable part of the manure1 we have1 ,november #c1 nearly #ae lbs42 ,april #cj1 not quite #g lbs42 ,august #bc1 #c lbs42 and ,november #ae1 not quite #a lbs4 ,dr4 ,vlcker made still another experiment4 ,he took #a1fac lbs4 of well-rotted dung 7mixed manure from horses1 cows1 and pigs17 and kept it in a heap1 exposed to the weather1 from ,december #e to ,april #cj1 ,august #bc1 and ,november #ae1 weighing it and analyzing it at these different dates4 ,i think it is not necessary to give the results in detail4 ,from the #eth of ,december to the #cjth of ,april1 there was no loss of nitrogen in the heap1 and comparatively little loss of soluble mineral matters2 but from ,april #cj to ,august #bc1 there was considerable loss in both these valuable ingredients1 which were washed out of the heap by rain4 ,dr4 ,vlcker draws the following conclusions from his experiments3 8,having described at length my experiments with farm-yard manure10 he says1 8it may not be amiss to state briefly the more prominent and practically interesting points which have been developed in the course of this investigation4 ,i would1 therefore1 observe3 8#a4 ,perfectly fresh farm yard manure contains but a small proportion of free ammonia4 8#b4 ,the nitrogen in fresh dung exists principally in the state of insoluble nitrogenized matters4 8#c4 ,the soluble organic and mineral constituents of dung are much more valuable fertilizers than the insoluble4 ,particular care1 therefore1 should be bestowed upon the preservation of the liquid excrements of animals1 and for the same reason the manure should be kept in perfectly water-proof pits of sufficient capacity to render the setting up of dung-heaps in the corner of fields1 as much as it is possible1 unnecessary4 8#d4 ,farm-yard manure1 even in quite a fresh state1 contains phosphate of lime1 which is much more soluble than has hitherto been suspected4 8#e4 ,the urine of the horse1 cow1 and pig1 does not contain any appreciable quantity of phosphate of lime1 whilst the drainings of dung-heaps contain considerable quantities of this valuable fertilizer4 ,the drainings of dung-heaps1 partly for this reason1 are more valuable than the urine of our domestic animals1 and1 therefore1 ought to be prevented by all available means from running to waste4 8#f4 ,the most effectual means of preventing loss in fertilizing matters is to cart the manure directly on the field whenever circumstances allow this to be done4 8#g4 ,on all soils with a moderate proportion of clay1 no fear need to be entertained of valuable fertilizing substances becoming wasted if the manure cannot be plowed in at once4 ,fresh1 and even well-rotten1 dung contains very little free ammonia2 and since active fermentation1 and with it the further evolution of free ammonia1 is stopped by spreading out the manure on the field1 valuable volatile manuring matters can not escape into the air by adopting this plan4 8,as all soils with a moderate proportion of clay possess in a remarkable degree the power of absorbing and retaining manuring matters1 none of the saline and soluble organic constituents are wasted even by a heavy fall of rain4 ,it may1 indeed1 be questioned whether it is more advisable to plow in the manure at once1 or to let it lie for some time on the surface1 and to give the rain full opportunity to wash it into the soil4 8,it appears to me a matter of the greatest importance to regulate the application of manure to our fields1 so that its constituents may become properly diluted and uniformly distributed amongst a large mass of soil4 ,by plowing in the manure at once1 it appears to me1 this desirable end can not be reached so perfectly as by allowing the rain to wash in gradually the manure evenly spread on the surface of the field4 8,by adopting such a course1 in case practical experience should confirm my theoretical reasoning1 the objection could no longer be maintained that the land is not ready for carting manure upon it4 ,i am inclined to recommend1 as a general rule3 ,cart the manure on the field1 spread it at once1 and wait for a favorable opportunity to plow it in4 ,in the case of clay soils1 ,i have no hesitation to say the manure may be spread even six months before it is plowed in1 without losing any appreciable quantity in manuring matter4 8,i am perfectly aware1 that on stiff clay land1 farm-yard manure1 more especially long dung1 when plowed in before the frost sets in1 exercises a most beneficial action by keeping the soil loose1 and admitting the free access of frost1 which pulverizes the land1 and would1 therefore1 by no means recommend to leave the manure spread on the surface without plowing it in4 ,all ,i wish to enforce is1 that when no other choice is left but either to set up the manure in a heap in a corner of the field1 or to spread it on the field1 without plowing it in directly1 to adopt the latter plan4 ,in the case of very light sandy soils1 it may perhaps not be advisable to spread out the manure a long time before it is plowed in1 since such soils do not possess the power of retaining manuring matters in any marked degree4 ,on light sandy soils1 ,i would suggest to manure with well-fermented dung1 shortly before the crop intended to be grown is sown4 8#h4 ,well-rotten dung contains1 likewise1 little free ammonia1 but a very much larger proportion of soluble organic and saline mineral matters than fresh manure4 8#i4 ,rotten dung is richer in nitrogen than fresh4 8#aj4 ,weight for weight1 rotten dung is more valuable than fresh4 8#aa4 ,in the fermentation of dung1 a very considerable proportion of the organic matters in fresh manure is dissipated into the air in the form of carbonic acid and other gases4 8#ab4 ,properly regulated1 however1 the fermentation of dung is not attended with any great loss of nitrogen1 nor of saline mineral matters4 8#ac4 ,during the fermentation of dung1 ulmic1 humic1 and other organic acids are formed1 as well as gypsum1 which fix the ammonia generated in the decomposition of the nitrogenized constituents of dung4 8#ad4 ,during the fermentation of dung1 the phosphate of lime which it contains is rendered more soluble than in fresh manure4 8#ae4 ,in the interior and heated portions of manure-heaps1 ammonia is given off2 but1 on passing into the external and cold layers of dung-heaps1 the free ammonia is retained in the heap4 8#af4 ,ammonia is not given off from the surface of well-compressed dung-heaps1 but on turning manure-heaps1 it is wasted in appreciable quantities4 ,dung-heaps1 for this reason1 should not be turned more frequently than absolutely necessary4 8#ag4 ,no advantage appears to result from carrying on the fermentation of dung too far1 but every disadvantage4 8#ah4 ,farm-yard manure becomes deteriorated in value1 when kept in heaps exposed to the weather1 the more the longer it is kept4 8#ai4 ,the loss in manuring matters1 which is incurred in keeping manure-heaps exposed to the weather1 is not so much due to the volatilization of ammonia as to the removal of ammoniacal salts1 soluble nitrogenized organic matters1 and valuable mineral matters1 by the rain which falls in the period during which the manure is kept4 8#bj4 ,if rain is excluded from dung-heaps1 or little rain falls at a time1 the loss in ammonia is trifling1 and no saline matters1 of course1 are removed2 but1 if much rain falls1 especially if it descends in heavy showers upon the dung-heap1 a serious loss in ammonia1 soluble organic matter1 phosphate of lime1 and salts of potash is incurred1 and the manure becomes rapidly deteriorated in value1 whilst at the same time it is diminished in weight4 8#ba4 ,well-rotten dung is more readily affected by the deteriorating influence of rain than fresh manure4 8#bb4 ,practically speaking1 all the essentially valuable manuring constituents are preserved by keeping farm-yard manure under cover4 8#bc4 ,if the animals have been supplied with plenty of litter1 fresh dung contains an insufficient quantity of water to induce an active fermentation4 ,in this case1 fresh dung can not be properly fermented under cover1 except water or liquid manure is pumped over the heap from time to time4 8,where much straw is used in the manufacture of dung1 and no provision is made to supply the manure in the pit at any time with the requisite amount of moisture1 it may not be advisable to put up a roof over the dung-pit4 ,on the other hand1 on farms where there is a deficiency of straw1 so that the moisture of the excrements of our domestic animals is barely absorbed by the litter1 the advantage of erecting a roof over the dung-pit will be found very great4 8#bd4 ,the worst method of making manure is to produce it by animals kept in open yards1 since a large proportion of valuable fertilizing matters is wasted in a short time2 and after a lapse of twelve months1 at least two-thirds of the substance of the manure is wasted1 and only one-third1 inferior in quality to an equal weight of fresh dung1 is left behind4 8#be4 ,the most rational plan of keeping manure in heaps appears to me that adopted by ,mr4 ,lawrence1 of ,cirencester1 and described by him at length in ,morton's #8,cyclopdia of ,agriculture1' under the head of #8,manure4'0 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,an ,,english ,,plan ,,of ,,keeping ,,manure4 8,i would like to know10 said the ,deacon1 8how ,mr4 ,lawrence manages his manure1 especially as his method has received such high commendation40 ,charley got the second volume of 8,morton's ,cyclopdia of ,agriculture10 from the book shelves1 and turned to the article on 8,manure40 ,he found that ,mr4 ,lawrence adopted the 8,box ,system0 of feeding cattle1 and used cut or chaffed straw for bedding4 ,and ,mr4 ,lawrence claims that by this plan 8manure will have been made under the most perfect conditions40 ,and 8when the boxes are full at those periods of the year at which manure is required for the succeeding crops1 it will be most advantageously disposed of by being transferred at once to the land1 and covered in40 8,good10 said the ,deacon1 8,i think he is right there40 ,charley continued1 and read as follows3 8,but there will be accumulations of manure requiring removal from the homestead at other seasons1 at which it cannot be so applied1 and when it must be stored for future use4 ,the following has been found an effectual and economical mode of accomplishing this2 more particularly when cut litter is used1 it saves the cost of repeated turnings1 and effectually prevents the decomposition and waste of the most active and volatile principle4 8,some three or more spots are selected according to the size of the farm1 in convenient positions for access to the land under tillage1 and by the side of the farm roads4 ,the sites fixed on are then excavated about two feet under the surrounding surface4 ,in the bottom is laid some three or four inches of earth to absorb any moisture1 on which the manure is emptied from the carts4 ,this is evenly spread1 and well trodden as the heap is forming4 ,as soon as this is about a foot above the ground level1 to allow for sinking1 the heap is gradually gathered in1 until it is completed in the form of an ordinary steep roof1 slightly rounded at the top by the final treading4 ,in the course of building this up1 about a bushel of salt1 to two cart-loads of dung is sprinkled amongst it4 ,the base laid out at any one time should not exceed that required by the manure ready for the complete formation of the heap as far as it goes2 and within a day or two after such portion is built up1 and it has settled into shape1 a thin coat of earth in a moist state is plastered entirely over the surface4 ,under these conditions decomposition does not take place1 in consequence of the exclusion of the air2 or at any rate to so limited an extent1 that the ammonia is absorbed by the earth1 for there is not a trace of it perceptible about the heap2 though1 when put together without such covering1 this is perceptible enough to leeward at a hundred yards' distance4 8,when heaps thus formed are resorted to in the autumn1 either for the young seeds1 or for plowing in on the stubbles after preparing for the succeeding root crop1 the manure will be found undiminished in quantity and unimpaired in quality2 in fact1 simply consolidated4 ,decomposition then proceeds within the soil1 where all its results are appropriated1 and rendered available for the succeeding cereal as well as the root crop4 8,it would be inconvenient to plaster the heap1 were the ridge1 when settled1 above six or seven feet from the ground level2 the base may be formed about ten to twelve feet wide1 and the ridge about nine feet from the base1 which settles down to about seven feet2 this may be extended to any length as further supplies of manure require removal4 ,one man is sufficient to form the heap1 and it is expedient to employ the same man for this service1 who soon gets into the way of performing the work neatly and quickly4 ,it has been asked where a farmer is to get the earth to cover his heaps--it may be answered1 keep your roads scraped when they get muddy on the surface during rainy weather--in itself good economy--and leave this in small heaps beyond the margin of your roads4 ,this1 in the course of the year1 will be found an ample provision for the purpose1 for it is unnecessary to lay on a coat more than one or two inches in thickness1 which should be done when in a moist state4 ,at any rate1 there will always be found an accumulation on headlands that may be drawn upon if need be4 8,farmers who have not been in the habit of bestowing care on the manufacture and subsequent preservation of their manure1 and watching results1 have no conception of the importance of this4 ,a barrowful of such manure as has been described1 would produce a greater weight of roots and corn1 than that so graphically described by the most talented and accomplished of our agricultural authors--as the contents of #8neighbour ,drychaff's dung-cart1 that creaking hearse1 that is carrying to the field the dead body whose spirit has departed4' 8,there is a source of valuable and extremely useful manure on every farm1 of which very few farmers avail themselves--the gathering together in one spot of all combustible waste and rubbish1 the clippings of hedges1 scouring of ditches1 grassy accumulation on the sides of roads and fences1 etc41 combined with a good deal of earth4 ,if these are carted at leisure times into a large circle1 or in two rows1 to supply the fire kindled in the center1 in a spot which is frequented by the laborers on the farm1 with a three-pronged fork and a shovel attendant1 and each passer-by is encouraged to add to the pile whenever he sees the smoke passing away so freely as to indicate rapid combustion1 a very large quantity of valuable ashes are collected between ,march and ,october4 ,in the latter month the fire should be allowed to go out2 the ashes are then thrown into a long ridge1 as high as they will stand1 and thatched while dry4 ,this will be found an invaluable store in ,april1 ,may1 and ,june1 capable of supplying from twenty to forty bushels of ashes per acre1 according to the care and industry of the collector1 to drill with the seeds of the root crop40 ,the ,deacon got sleepy before ,charley finished reading4 8,we can not afford to be at so much trouble in this country10 he said1 and took up his hat and left4 ,the ,deacon is not altogether wrong4 ,our climate is very different from that of ,england1 and it is seldom that farmers need to draw out manure1 and pile it in the field1 except in winter1 and then it is not necessary1 ,i think1 either to dig a pit or to cover the heap4 ,those who draw manure from the city in summer1 may probably adopt some of ,mr4 ,lawrence's suggestions with advantage4 ,the plan of collecting rubbish1 brush1 old wood1 and sods1 and converting them into ashes or charcoal1 is one which we could often adopt with decided advantage4 ,our premises would be cleaner1 and we should have less fungus to speck and crack our apples and pears1 and1 in addition1 we should have a quantity of ashes or burnt earth1 that is not only a manure itself1 but is specially useful to mix with moist superphosphate and other artificial manures1 to make them dry enough and bulky enough to be easily and evenly distributed by the drill4 ,artificial manures1 so mixed with these ashes1 or dry1 charred earth1 are less likely to injure the seed than when sown with the seed in the drill-rows1 unmixed with some such material4 ,sifted coal ashes are also very useful for this purpose4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,soluble ,,phosphates ,,in ,,farmyard ,,manure4 ,there is one thing in these experiments of ,dr4 ,vlcker's which deserves special attention1 and that is the comparatively large amount of soluble phosphate of lime in the ash of farm-yard manure4 ,i do not think the fact is generally known4 ,in estimating the value of animal manures1 as compared with artificial manures1 it is usually assumed that the phosphates in the former are insoluble1 and1 therefore1 of less value than the soluble phosphates in superphosphate of lime and other artificial manures4 ,dr4 ,vlcker found in the ash of fresh farm-yard manure1 phosphoric acid equal to #ab4bc per cent of phosphate of lime1 and of this #e4ce was soluble phosphate of lime4 ,in the ash of well-rotted manure1 he found phosphoric acid equal to #ab4aa per cent of phosphate of lime1 and of this1 #d4ge was soluble phosphate of lime4 8,that is1 indeed1 an important fact10 said the ,doctor1 8but ,i thought ,professor ,vlcker claimed that #8during the fermentation of dung1 the phosphate of lime which it contains is rendered more soluble than in fresh manure4'0 8,he did say so10 ,i replied1 8and it may be true1 but the above figures do not seem to prove it4 ,when he wrote the sentence you have quoted1 he probably had reference to the fact that he found more soluble phosphate of lime in rotted manure than in fresh manure4 ,thus1 he found in #e tons of fresh and #e tons of rotted1 manure1 the following ingredients3 ,,sp3 ,soluble ,phosphate of ,lime4 ,,ip3 ,insoluble phosphates4 ,,tp3 ,total ,phosphates4 ,,tsa3 ,total ,soluble ,ash4 ,,tia3 ,total ,insoluble ,ash4 ,,ta3 ,total ,ash4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,potash #e ,tons4 ,,sp ,,ip ,,tp ------------ ,,tsa ,,tia ,,ta 7#aj1jjj ,,lbs47 ,sol4 ,insol4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,fresh manure #bi4i #ch4f #fh4e #eg4c #i4i #aed #dje #eei ,rotted manure #ch4beg4c #ie4e #dd4f #d4e #adg #feh #hje ---------------------------------------- ---------------- 8,it will be seen from the above figures that rotted manure contains more soluble phosphate of lime than fresh manure4 8,but it does not follow from this fact that any of the insoluble phosphates in fresh manure have been rendered soluble during the fermentation of the manure4 8,there are more insoluble phosphates in the rotted manure than in the fresh1 but we do not conclude from this fact that any of the phosphates have been rendered insoluble during the process of fermentation--neither are we warranted in concluding that any of them have been rendered soluble1 simply because we find more soluble phosphates in the rotted manure40 8,very true10 said the ,doctor1 8but it has been shown that in the heap of manure1 during fermentation1 there was an actual increase of soluble mineral matter during the first six months1 and1 to say the least1 it is highly probable that some of this increase of soluble mineral matter contained more or less soluble phosphates1 and perhaps ,dr4 ,vlcker had some facts to show that such was the case1 although he may not have published them4 ,at any rate1 he evidently thinks that the phosphates in manure are rendered more soluble by fermentation40 8,perhaps10 said ,i1 8we can not do better than to let the matter rest in that form4 ,i am merely anxious not to draw definite conclusions from the facts which the facts do not positively prove4 ,i am strongly in favor of fermenting manure1 and should be glad to have it shown that fermentation does actually convert insoluble phosphates into a soluble form40 ,there is one thing1 however1 that these experiments clearly prove1 and that is1 that there is a far larger quantity of soluble phosphates in manure than is generally supposed4 ,of the total phosphoric acid in the fresh manure1 #dc per cent is in a soluble condition2 and in the rotted manure1 #dj per cent is soluble4 ,this is an important fact1 and one which is generally overlooked4 ,it enhances the value of farm-yard or stable manure1 as compared with artificial manures4 ,but of this we may have more to say when we come to that part of the subject4 ,i want to make one remark4 ,i think there can be little doubt that the proportion of soluble phosphates is greater in rich manure1 made from grain-fed animals1 than in poor manure made principally from straw4 ,in other words1 of #ajj lbs4 of total phosphoric acid1 more of it would be in a soluble condition in the rich than in the poor manure4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,how ,,the ,,deacon ,,makes ,,manure4 8,i think10 said the ,deacon1 8you are talking too much about the science of manure making4 ,science is all well enough1 but practice is better40 8,that depends10 said ,i1 8on the practice4 ,suppose you tell us how you manage your manure40 8,well10 said the ,deacon1 8,i do not know much about plant-food1 and nitrogen1 and phosphoric acid1 but ,i think manure is a good thing1 and the more you have of it the better4 ,i do not believe in your practice of spreading manure on the land and letting it lie exposed to the sun and winds4 ,i want to draw it out in the spring and plow it under for corn4 ,i think this long1 coarse manure loosens the soil and makes it light1 and warm1 and porous4 ,and then my plan saves labor4 ,more than half of my manure is handled but once4 ,it is made in the yard and sheds1 and lies there until it is drawn to the field in the spring4 ,the manure from the cow and horse stables1 and from the pig-pens1 is thrown into the yard1 and nothing is done to it except to level it down occasionally4 ,in proportion to the stock kept1 ,i think ,i make twice as much manure as you do40 8,yes10 said ,i1 8twice as much in bulk1 but one load of my manure is worth four loads of your long1 coarse manure1 composed principally of corn-stalks1 straw1 and water4 ,i think you are wise in not spending much time in piling and working over such manure40 ,the ,deacon and ,i have a standing quarrel about manure4 ,we differ on all points4 ,he is a good man1 but not what we call a good farmer4 ,he cleared up his farm from the original forest1 and he has always been content to receive what his land would give him4 ,if he gets good crops1 well1 if not1 his expenses are moderate1 and he manages to make both ends meet4 ,i tell him he could double his crops1 and quadruple his profits1 by better farming--but though he cannot disprove the facts1 he is unwilling to make any change in his system of farming4 ,and so he continues to make just as much manure as the crops he is obliged to feed out leave in his yards1 and no more4 ,he does not1 in fact1 make any manure4 ,he takes what comes1 and gets it on to his land with as little labor as possible4 ,it is no use arguing with such a man4 ,and it certainly will not do to contend that his method of managing manure is all wrong4 ,his error is in making such poor manure4 ,but with such poor stuff as he has in his yard1 ,i believe he is right to get rid of it with the least expense possible4 ,i presume1 too1 that the ,deacon is not altogether wrong in regard to the good mechanical effects of manure on undrained and indifferently cultivated land4 ,i have no doubt that he bases his opinion on experience4 ,the good effects of such manure as he makes must be largely due to its mechanical action--it can do little towards supplying the more important and valuable elements of plant-food4 ,i commend the ,deacon's system of managing manure to all such as make a similar article4 ,but ,i think there is a more excellent way4 ,feed the stock better1 make richer manure1 and then it will pay to bestow a little labor in taking care of it4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,how ,,john ,,johnston ,,manages ,,his ,,manure4 ,one of the oldest and most successful farmers1 in the ,state of ,new ,york1 is ,john ,johnston1 of ,geneva4 ,he has a farm on the borders of ,seneca ,lake4 ,it is high1 rolling land1 but needed underdraining4 ,this has been thoroughly done--and done with great profit and advantage4 ,the soil is a heavy clay loam4 ,mr4 ,johnston has been in the habit of summer-fallowing largely for wheat1 generally plowing three1 and sometimes four times4 ,he has been a very successful wheat-grower1 almost invariably obtaining large crops of wheat1 both of grain and straw4 ,the straw he feeds to sheep in winter1 putting more straw in the racks than the sheep can eat up clean1 and using what they leave for bedding4 ,the sheep run in yards enclosed with tight board fences1 and have sheds under the barn to lie in at pleasure4 ,although the soil is rather heavy for ,indian corn1 ,mr4 ,johnston succeeds in growing large crops of this great ,american cereal4 ,corn and stalks are both fed out on the farm4 ,mr4 ,j4 has not yet practised cutting up his straw and stalks into chaff4 ,the land is admirably adapted to the growth of red clover1 and great crops of clover and timothy-hay are raised1 and fed out on the farm4 ,gypsum1 or plaster1 is sown quite freely on the clover in the spring4 ,comparatively few roots are raised--not to exceed an acre--and these only quite recently4 ,the main crops are winter wheat1 spring barley1 ,indian corn1 clover1 and timothy-hay1 and clover-seed4 ,the materials for making manure1 then1 are wheat and barley straw1 ,indian corn1 corn-stalks1 clover1 and timothy-hay4 ,these are all raised on the farm4 ,but ,mr4 ,johnston has for many years purchased linseed-oil cake1 to feed to his sheep and cattle4 ,this last fact must not be overlooked4 ,mr4 ,j4 commenced to feed oil-cake when its value was little known here1 and when he bought it for1 ,i think1 seven or eight dollars a ton4 ,he continued to use it even when he had to pay fifty dollars per ton4 ,mr4 ,j4 has great faith in manure--and it is a faith resting on good evidence and long experience4 ,if he had not fed out so much oil-cake and clover-hay1 he would not have found his manure so valuable4 8,how much oil-cake does he use80 asked the ,deacon4 8,he gives his sheep1 on the average1 about #a lb4 each per day40 ,if he feeds out a ton of clover-hay1 two tons of straw1 7for feed and bedding17 and one ton of oil-cake1 the manure obtained from this quantity of food and litter1 would be worth1 according to ,mr4 ,lawes' table1 given on page #de1 #cd4gb4 ,on the other hand1 if he fed out one ton of corn1 one ton of clover-hay1 and two tons of straw1 for feed and bedding1 the manure would be worth #ba4fe4 ,if he fed one ton of corn1 and three tons of straw1 the manure would be worth only #ad4fi4 ,he would get as much manure from the three tons of straw and one ton of corn1 as from the two tons of straw1 one ton of clover-hay1 and one ton of oil-cake1 while1 as before said1 the manure in the one case would be worth #ad4fi1 and in the other #cd4gb4 ,in other words1 a load of the good manure would be worth1 when spread out on the land in the field or garden1 more than two loads of the straw and corn manure4 ,to get the same amount of nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 you have to spend more than twice the labor in cleaning out the stables or yards1 more than twice the labor of throwing or wheeling it to the manure pile1 more than twice the labor of turning the manure in the pile1 more than twice the labor of loading it on the carts or wagons1 more than twice the labor of drawing it to the field1 more than twice the labor of unloading it into heaps1 and more than twice the labor of spreading it in the one case than in the other1 and1 after all1 twenty tons of this poor manure would not produce as good an effect the first season as ten tons of the richer manure4 8,why so80 asked the ,deacon4 8,simply because the poor manure is not so active as the richer manure4 ,it will not decompose so readily4 ,its nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 are not so available4 ,the twenty tons1 may1 in the long run1 do as much good as the ten tons1 but ,i very much doubt it4 ,at any rate1 ,i would greatly prefer the ten tons of the good manure to twenty tons of the poor--even when spread out on the land1 ready to plow under4 ,what the difference would be in the value of the manure in the yard1 you can figure for yourself4 ,it would depend on the cost of handling1 drawing1 and spreading the extra ten tons40 ,the ,deacon estimates the cost of loading1 drawing1 unloading1 and spreading1 at fifty cents a ton4 ,this is probably not far out of the way1 though much depends on the distance the manure has to be drawn1 and also on the condition of the manure1 etc4 ,the four tons of feed and bedding will make1 at a rough estimate about ten tons of manure4 ,this ten tons of straw and corn manure1 according to ,mr4 ,lawes' estimate1 is worth1 in the field1 #ad4fi4 ,and if it costs fifty cents a load to get it on the land1 its value1 in the yard1 would be #i4fi--or nearly ninety-seven cents a ton4 ,the ten tons of good manure1 according to the same estimate1 is worth1 in the field1 #cd4gb1 and1 consequently1 would be worth1 in the yard1 #bi4gb4 ,in other words1 a ton of poor manure is worth1 in the yard1 ninety-seven cents a ton1 and the good manure #b4ig4 ,and so in describing ,john ,johnston's method of managing manure1 this fact must be borne in mind4 ,it might not pay the ,deacon to spend much labor on manure worth only ninety-seven cents a ton1 while it might pay ,john ,johnston to bestow some considerable time and labor on manure worth #b4ig per ton4 8,but is it really worth this sum80 asked the ,deacon4 8,in reply to that10 said ,i1 8all ,i claim is that the figures are comparative4 ,if your manure1 made as above described1 is worth ninety-seven cents a ton in the yard1 then ,john ,johnston's manure1 made as stated1 is certainly worth1 at least1 #b4ig per ton in the yard40 ,of this there can be no doubt4 8,if you think10 ,i continued1 8your manure1 so made1 is worth only half as much as ,mr4 ,lawes' estimate2 in other words1 if your ten tons of manure1 instead of being worth #ad4fi in the field1 is worth only #g4ce2 then ,john ,johnston's ten tons of manure1 instead of being worth #cd4gb in the field1 is worth only #ag4cf40 8,that looks a little more reasonable10 said the ,deacon1 8,john ,johnston's manure1 instead of being worth #b4ig per ton in the yard1 is worth only #a4dh per ton1 and mine1 instead of being worth ninety-seven cents a ton1 is worth forty-eight and a half cents a ton40 ,the ,deacon sat for a few minutes looking at these figures4 8,they do not seem so extravagantly high as ,i thought them at first10 he said1 8and if you will reduce the figures in ,mr4 ,lawes' table one-half all through1 it will be much nearer the truth4 ,i think my manure is worth forty-eight and a half cents a ton in the yard1 and if your figures are correct1 ,i suppose ,i must admit that ,john ,johnston's manure is worth #a4dh per ton in the yard40 ,i was very glad to get such an admission from the ,deacon4 ,he did not see that he had made a mistake in the figures1 and so ,i got him to go over the calculation again4 8,you take a pencil1 ,deacon10 said ,i1 8and write down the figures3 ,manure from a ton of oil-cake #ai4gb ,manure from a ton of clover-hay #i4fd ,manure from two tons of straw #e4cf -------- #cd4gb 8,this would make about ten tons of manure4 ,we have agreed to reduce the estimate one-half1 and consequently we have #ag4cf as the value of the ten tons of manure4 8,this is ,john ,johnston's manure4 ,it is worth #a4gc per ton in the field4 8,it costs1 we have estimated1 #ej cents a ton to handle the manure1 and consequently it is worth in the yard #a4bc per ton40 8,this is less than we made it before10 said the ,deacon4 8,never mind that10 said ,i1 8the figures are correct4 ,now write down what your manure is worth3 ,manure from #a ton of corn #f4fe ,manure from #c tons of straw #h4jd -------- #ad4fi 8,this will make about ten tons of manure4 ,in this case1 as in the other1 we are to reduce the estimate one-half4 ,consequently1 we have #g4ce as the value of this ten tons of manure in the field1 or #gc cents a ton4 ,it costs1 we have estimated1 #ej cents a ton to handle the manure1 and1 therefore1 it is worth in the yard1 #bc cents a ton40 8,john ,johnston's manure is worth in the yard1 #a4bc per ton4 ,the ,deacon's manure is worth in the yard1 #bc cents per ton40 8,there is some mistake10 exclaimed the ,deacon1 8you said1 at first1 that one load of ,john ,johnston's manure was worth as much as two of my loads4 ,now you make one load of his manure worth more than five loads of my manure4 ,this is absurd40 8,not at all1 ,deacon10 said ,i1 8you made the figures yourself4 ,you thought ,mr4 ,lawes' estimate too high4 ,you reduced it one-half4 ,the figures are correct1 and you must accept the conclusion4 ,if ,john ,johnston's manure is only worth #a4bc per ton in the yard1 yours1 made from #a ton of corn and #c tons of straw1 is only worth #bc cents per ton40 8,and now1 ,deacon10 ,i continued1 8while you have a pencil in your hand1 ,i want you to make one more calculation4 ,assuming that ,mr4 ,lawes' estimate is too high1 and we reduce it one-half1 figure up what manure is worth when made from straw alone4 ,you take #d tons of wheat straw1 feed out part1 and use part for bedding4 ,it will give you about #aj tons of manure4 ,and this #aj tons cost you #ej cents a ton to load1 draw out1 and spread4 ,now figure3 8,four tons of straw is worth1 for manure1 according to ,mr4 ,lawes' table1 #b4fh per ton4 ,we have agreed to reduce the figures one half1 and so the #aj tons of manure from the #d tons of straw is worth #e4cf ,drawing out #aj tons of manure at #ej cents #e4jj -------- ,value of #aj tons of straw-manure in yard #j4cf 8,in other words1 if ,john ,johnston's manure is worth only #a4bc per ton in the yard1 the straw-made manure is worth only a little over #c cents a ton in the yard40 8,that is too absurd10 said the ,deacon4 8,very well10 ,i replied1 8for once ,i am glad to agree with you4 ,but if this is absurd1 then it follows that ,mr4 ,lawes' estimate of the value of certain foods for manure is not so extravagant as you supposed--which is precisely what ,i wished to prove40 8,you have not told us how ,mr4 ,johnston manages his manure10 said the ,deacon4 8,there is nothing very remarkable about it10 ,i replied4 8,there are many farmers in this neighborhood who adopt the same method4 ,i think1 however1 ,john ,johnston was the first to recommend it1 and subjected himself to some criticism from some of the so-called scientific writers at the time4 8,his general plan is to leave the manure in the yards1 basements1 and sheds1 under the sheep1 until spring4 ,he usually sells his fat sheep in ,march4 ,as soon as the sheep are removed1 the manure is either thrown up into loose heaps in the yard1 or drawn directly to the field1 where it is to be used1 and made into a heap there4 ,the manure is not spread on the land until the autumn4 ,it remains in the heaps or piles all summer1 being usually turned once1 and sometimes twice4 ,the manure becomes thoroughly rotted40 ,mr4 ,johnston1 like the ,deacon1 applies his manure to the corn crop4 ,but the ,deacon draws out his fresh green manure in the spring1 on sod-land1 and plows it under4 ,mr4 ,johnston1 on the other hand1 keeps his manure in a heap through the summer1 spreads it on the sod in ,september1 or the first week in ,october4 ,here it lies until next spring4 ,the grass and clover grow up through manure1 and the grass and manure are turned under next spring1 and the land planted to corn4 ,mr4 ,johnston is thoroughly convinced that he gets far more benefit from the manure when applied on the surface1 and left exposed for several months1 than if he plowed it under at once4 ,i like to write and talk about ,john ,johnston4 ,i like to visit him4 ,he is so delightfully enthusiastic1 believes so thoroughly in good farming1 and has been so eminently successful1 that a day spent in his company can not fail to encourage any farmer to renewed efforts in improving his soil4 8,you must drain10 he wrote to me2 8when ,i first commenced farming1 ,i never made any money until ,i began to underdrain40 ,but it is not underdraining alone that is the cause of his eminent success4 ,when he bought his farm1 8near ,geneva10 over fifty years ago1 there was a pile of manure in the yard that had lain there year after year1 until it was1 as he said1 8as black as my hat40 ,the former owner regarded it as a nuisance1 and a few months before young ,johnston bought the farm1 had given some darkies a cow on condition that they would draw out this manure4 ,they drew out six loads1 took the cow--and that was the last seen of them4 ,johnston drew out this manure1 raised a good crop of wheat1 and that gave him a start4 ,he says he has been asked a great many times to what he owes his success as a farmer1 and he has replied that he could not tell whether it was 8dung or credit40 ,it was probably neither4 ,it was the man--his intelligence1 industry1 and good common sense4 ,that heap of black mould was merely an instrument in his hands that he could turn to good account4 ,his first crop of wheat gave him 8credit0 and this also he used to advantage4 ,he believed that good farming would pay1 and it was this faith in a generous soil that made him willing to spend the money obtained from the first crop of wheat in enriching the land1 and to avail himself of his credit4 ,had he lacked this faith--had he hoarded every sixpence he could have ground out of the soil1 who would have ever heard of ,john ,johnston8 ,he has been liberal with his crops and his animals1 and has ever found them grateful4 ,this is the real lesson which his life teaches4 ,he once wrote me he had something to show me4 ,he did not tell me what it was1 and when ,i got there1 he took me to a field of grass that was to be mown for hay4 ,the field had been in winter wheat the year before4 ,at the time of sowing the wheat1 the whole field was seeded down with timothy4 ,no clover was sown1 either then or in the spring2 but after the wheat was sown1 he put on a slight dressing of manure on two portions of the field that he thought were poor4 ,he told the man to spread it out of the wagon just as thin as he could distribute it evenly over the land4 ,it was a very light manuring1 but the manure was rich1 and thoroughly rotted4 ,i do not recollect whether the effect of the manure was particularly noticed on the wheat2 but on the grass1 the following spring1 the effect was sufficiently striking4 ,those two portions of the field where the manure was spread were covered with a splendid crop of red clover4 ,you could see the exact line1 in both cases1 where the manure reached4 ,it looked quite curious4 ,no clover-seed was sown1 and yet there was as fine a crop of clover as one could desire4 ,on looking into the matter more closely1 we found that there was more or less clover all over the field1 but where the manure was not used1 it could hardly be seen4 ,the plants were small1 and the timothy hid them from view4 ,but where the manure was used1 these plants of clover had been stimulated in their growth until they covered the ground4 ,the leaves were broad and vigorous1 while in the other case they were small1 and almost dried up4 ,this is probably the right explanation4 ,the manure did not 8bring in the clover20 it simply increased the growth of that already in the soil4 ,it shows the value of manure for grass4 ,this is what ,mr4 ,johnston wanted to show me4 8,i might have written and told you1 but you would not have got a clear idea of the matter40 ,this is true4 ,one had to see the great luxuriance of that piece of clover to fully appreciate the effect of the manure4 ,mr4 ,j4 said the manure on that grass was worth #cj an acre--that is1 on the three crops of grass1 before the field is again plowed4 ,i have no doubt that this is true1 and that the future crops on the land will also be benefited--not directly from the manure1 perhaps1 but from the clover-roots in the soil4 ,and if the field were pastured1 the effect on future crops would be very decided4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,my ,,own ,,plan ,,of ,,managing ,,manure4 ,one of the charms and the advantages of agriculture is that a farmer must think for himself4 ,he should study principles1 and apply them in practice1 as best suits his circumstances4 ,my own method of managing manure gives me many of the advantages claimed for the ,deacon's method1 and ,john ,johnston's1 also4 8,i do not understand what you mean10 said the ,deacon2 8my method differs essentially from that of ,john ,johnston40 8,true10 ,i replied1 8you use your winter-made manure in the spring2 while ,mr4 ,johnston piles his1 and gets it thoroughly fermented2 but to do this1 he has to keep it until the autumn1 and it does not benefit his corn-crop before the next summer4 ,he loses the use of his manure for a year40 ,i think my method secures both these advantages4 ,i get my winter-made manure fermented and in good condition1 and yet have it ready for spring crops4 ,in the first place1 ,i should remark that my usual plan is to cut up all the fodder for horses1 cows1 and sheep4 ,for horses1 ,i sometimes use long straw for bedding1 but1 as a rule1 ,i prefer to run everything through a feed-cutter4 ,we do not steam the food1 and we let the cows and sheep have a liberal supply of cut corn-stalks and straw1 and what they do not eat is thrown out of the mangers and racks1 and used for bedding4 ,i should state1 too1 that ,i keep a good many pigs1 seldom having less than #ej breeding sows4 ,my pigs are mostly sold at from two to four months old1 but we probably average #aej head the year round4 ,a good deal of my manure1 therefore1 comes from the pig-pens1 and from two basement cellars1 where my store hogs sleep in winter4 ,in addition to the pigs1 we have on the farm from #aej to #bjj ,cotswold and grade sheep2 #aj cows1 and #h horses4 ,these are our manure makers4 ,the raw material from which the manure is manufactured consists of wheat1 barley1 rye1 and oat-straw1 corn-stalks1 corn-fodder1 clover and timothy-hay1 clover seed-hay1 bean-straw1 pea-straw1 potato-tops1 mangel-wurzel1 turnips1 rape1 and mustard4 ,these are all raised on the farm2 and1 in addition to the home-grown oats1 peas1 and corn1 we buy and feed out considerable quantities of bran1 shorts1 fine-middlings1 malt-combs1 corn-meal1 and a little oil-cake4 ,i sell wheat1 rye1 barley1 and clover-seed1 apples1 and potatoes1 and sometimes cabbages and turnips4 ,probably1 on the average1 for each #ajj ,i receive from the sale of these crops1 ,i purchase #be worth of bran1 malt-combs1 corn-meal1 and other feed for animals4 ,my farm is now rapidly increasing in fertility and productiveness4 ,the crops1 on the average1 are certainly at least double what they were when ,i bought the farm thirteen years ago2 and much of this increase has taken place during the last five or six years1 and ,i expect to see still greater improvement year by year4 8,never mind all that10 said the ,deacon2 8we all know that manure will enrich land1 and ,i will concede that your farm has greatly improved1 and can not help but improve if you continue to make and use as much manure40 8,i expect to make more and more manure every year10 said ,i4 8,the larger the crops1 the more manure we can make2 and the more manure we make1 the larger the crops40 ,the real point of difference between my plan of managing manure1 and the plan adopted by the ,deacon1 is essentially this3 ,i aim to keep all my manure in a compact pile1 where it will slowly ferment all winter4 ,the ,deacon throws his horse-manure into a heap1 just outside the stable door1 and the cow-manure into another heap1 and the pig-manure into another heap4 ,these heaps are more or less scattered1 and are exposed to the rain1 and snow1 and frost4 ,the horse-manure is quite likely to ferment too rapidly1 and if in a large heap1 and the weather is warm1 it not unlikely 8fire-fangs0 in the center of the heap4 ,on the other hand1 the cow-manure lies cold and dead1 and during the winter freezes into solid lumps4 ,i wheel or cart all my manure into one central heap4 ,the main object is to keep it as compact as possible4 ,there are two advantages in this3 #ast1 the manure is less exposed to the rain1 and 7#b;d71 when freezing weather sets in1 only a few inches of the external portion of the heap is frozen4 ,i have practised this plan for several years1 and can keep my heap of manure slowly fermenting during the whole winter4 ,but in order to ensure this result1 it is necessary to begin making the heap before winter sets in4 ,the plan is this3 ,having selected the spot in the yard most convenient for making the heap1 collect all the manure that can be found in the sheepyards1 sheds1 cow and horse stables1 pig-pens1 and hen-house1 together with leaves1 weeds1 and refuse from the garden1 and wheel or cart it to the intended heap4 ,if you set a farm-man to do the work1 tell him you want to make a hot-bed about five feet high1 six feet wide1 and six feet long4 ,i do not think ,i have ever seen a farm where enough material could not be found1 say in ,november1 to make such a heap4 ,and this is all that is needed4 ,if the manure is rich1 if it is obtained from animals eating clover-hay1 bran1 grain1 or other food rich in nitrogen1 it will soon ferment4 ,but if the manure is poor1 consisting largely of straw1 it will be very desirable to make it richer by mixing with it bone-dust1 blood1 hen-droppings1 woollen rags1 chamber-lye1 and animal matter of any kind that you can find4 ,the richer you can make the manure1 the more readily will it ferment4 ,a good plan is to take the horse or sheep manure1 a few weeks previous1 and use it for bedding the pigs4 ,it will absorb the liquid of the pigs1 and make rich manure1 which will soon ferment when placed in a heap4 ,if the manure in the heap is too dry1 it is a good plan1 when you are killing hogs1 to throw on to the manure all the warm water1 hair1 blood1 intestines1 etc4 ,you may think ,i am making too much of such a simple matter1 but ,i have had letters from farmers who have tried this plan of managing manure1 and they say that they can not keep it from freezing4 ,one reason for this is1 that they do not start the heap early enough1 and do not take pains to get the manure into an active fermentation before winter sets in4 ,much depends on this4 ,in starting a fire1 you take pains to get a little fine1 dry wood1 that will burn readily1 and when the fire is fairly going1 put on larger sticks1 and presently you have such a fire that you can burn wood1 coal1 stubble1 sods1 or anything you wish4 ,and so it is with a manure-heap4 ,get the fire1 or fermentation1 or1 more strictly speaking1 putrefaction fairly started1 and there will be little trouble1 if the heap is large enough1 and fresh material is added from time to time1 of continuing the fermentation all winter4 ,another point to be observed1 and especially in cold weather1 is to keep the sides of the heap straight1 and the top level4 ,you must expose the manure in the heap as little as possible to frost and cold winds4 ,the rule should be to spread every wheel-barrowful of manure as soon as it is put on the heap4 ,if left unspread on top of the heap1 it will freeze2 and if afterwards covered with other manure1 it will require considerable heat to melt it1 and thus reduce the temperature of the whole heap4 ,it is far less work to manage a heap of manure in this way than may be supposed from my description of the plan4 ,the truth is1 ,i find1 in point of fact1 that it is not an easy thing to manage manure in this way2 and ,i fear not one farmer in ten will succeed the first winter he undertakes it1 unless he gives it his personal attention4 ,it is well worth trying1 however1 because if your heap should freeze up1 it will be1 at any rate1 in no worse condition than if managed in the ordinary way2 and if you do succeed1 even in part1 you will have manure in good condition for immediate use in the spring4 ,as ,i have said before1 ,i keep a good many pigs4 ,now pigs1 if fed on slops1 void a large quantity of liquid manure1 and it is not always easy to furnish straw enough to absorb it4 ,when straw and stalks are cut into chaff1 they will absorb much more liquid than when used whole4 ,for this reason we usually cut all our straw and stalks4 ,we also use the litter from the horse-stable for bedding the store hogs1 and also sometimes1 when comparatively dry1 we use the refuse sheep bedding for the same purpose4 ,where the sheep barn is contiguous to the pig-pens1 and when the sheep bedding can be thrown at once into the pig-pens or cellar1 it is well to use bedding freely for the sheep and lambs1 and remove it frequently1 throwing it into the pig-pens4 ,i do not want my sheep to be compelled to eat up the straw and corn-stalks too close4 ,i want them to pick out what they like1 and then throw away what they leave in the troughs for bedding4 ,sometimes we take out a five-bushel basketful of these direct from the troughs1 for bedding young pigs1 or sows and pigs in the pens1 but as a rule1 we use them first for bedding the sheep1 and then afterwards use the sheep bedding in the fattening or store pig-pens4 8,and sometimes10 remarked the ,deacon1 8you use a little long straw for your young pigs to sleep on1 so that they can bury themselves in the straw and keep warm40 8,true10 ,i replied1 8and it is not a bad plan1 but we are not now talking about the management of pigs1 but how we treat our manure1 and how we manage to have it ferment all winter40 ,a good deal of our pig-manure is1 to borrow a phrase from the pomologists1 8double-worked40 ,it is horse or sheep-manure1 used for bedding pigs and cows4 ,it is saturated with urine1 and is much richer in nitrogenous material than ordinary manure1 and consequently will ferment or putrefy much more rapidly4 ,usually pig-manure is considered 8cold10 or sluggish1 but this doubleworked pig-manure will ferment even more rapidly than sheep or horse-manure alone4 ,unmixed cow-manure is heavy and cold1 and when kept in a heap by itself out of doors1 is almost certain to freeze up solid during the winter4 ,we usually wheel out our cow-dung every day1 and spread on the manure heap4 ,this is one of the things that needs attention4 ,there will be a constant tendency to put all the cow-dung together1 instead of mixing it with the lighter and more active manure from the horses1 sheep1 and pigs4 ,spread it out and cover it with some of the more strawy manure1 which is not so liable to freeze4 ,should it so happen--as will most likely be the case--that on looking at your heap some morning when the thermometer is below zero1 you find that several wheel-barrowfuls of manure that were put on the heap the day before1 were not spread1 and are now crusted over with ice1 it will be well to break up the barrowfuls1 even if necessary to use a crowbar1 and place the frozen lumps of manure on the outside of the heap1 rather than to let them lie in the center of the pile4 ,your aim should be always to keep the center of the heap warm and in a state of fermentation4 ,you do not want the fire to go out1 and it will not go out if the heap is properly managed1 even should all the sides and top be crusted over with a layer of frozen manure4 ,during very severe weather1 and when the top is frozen1 it is a good plan1 when you are about to wheel some fresh manure on to the heap1 to remove a portion of the frozen crust on top of the heap1 near the center1 and make a hole for the fresh manure1 which should be spread and covered up4 ,when the heap is high enough1 say five feet1 we commence another heap alongside4 ,in doing this1 our plan is to clean out some of the sheep-sheds or pig-pens1 where the manure has accumulated for some time4 ,this gives us much more than the daily supply4 ,place this manure on the outside of the new heap1 and then take a quantity of hot1 fermenting1 manure from the middle of the old heap1 and throw it into the center of the new heap1 and then cover it up with the fresh manure4 ,i would put in eight or ten bushels1 or as much as will warm up the center of the new heap1 and start fermentation4 ,the colder the weather1 the more of this hot manure should you take from the old heap--the more the better4 ,fresh manure should be added to the old heap to fill up the hole made by the removal of the hot manure4 8,you draw out a great many loads of manure during the winter10 said the ,deacon1 8and pile it in the field1 and ,i have always thought it a good plan1 as you do the work when there is little else to do1 and when the ground is frozen40 ,yes1 this is an improvement on my old plan4 ,i formerly used to turn over the heap of manure in the barn-yard in ,march1 or as soon as fermentation had ceased4 ,the object of turning the heap is 7#ast17 to mix the manure and make it of uniform quality2 7#b;d17 to break the lumps and make the manure fine2 and 7#c;d17 to lighten up the manure and make it loose1 thus letting in the air and inducing a second fermentation4 ,it is a good plan1 and well repays for the labor4 ,in doing the work1 build up the end and sides of the new heap straight1 and keep the top flat4 ,have an eye on the man doing the work1 and see that he breaks up the manure and mixes it thoroughly1 and that he goes to the bottom of the heap4 ,my new plan that the ,deacon alludes to1 is1 instead of turning the heap in the yard1 to draw the manure from the heap in the yard1 and pile it up in another heap in the field where it is to be used4 ,this has all the effects of turning1 and at the same time saves a good deal of team-work in the spring4 ,illustration3 ,a1 ,b1 ,manure ,heaps2 ,c1 ,d1 ,e1 ,ridges1 #b ft4 apart4 ,the location of the manure-heap in the field deserves some consideration4 ,if the manure is to be used for root-crops or potatoes1 and if the land is to be ridged1 and the manure put in the ridges1 then it will be desirable to put the heap on the headland1 or1 better still1 to make two heaps1 one on the headland top of the field1 and the other on the headland at the bottom of the field1 as shown in the annexed engraving4 ,we draw the manure with a cart1 the horse walking between two of the ridges 7,d71 and the wheels of the cart going in ,c and ,e4 ,the manure is pulled out at the back end of the cart into small heaps1 about five paces apart4 8,that is what ,i object to with you agricultural writers10 said the ,doctor2 8you say #8about five paces1' and sometimes #8about five paces' would mean #d yards1 and sometimes #f yards2 and if you put #aj tons of manure per acre in the one case1 you would put #ae tons in the other--which makes quite a difference in the dose40 ,the ,doctor is right4 ,let us figure a little4 ,if your cart holds #bj bushels1 and if the manure weighs #ge lbs4 to the bushel1 and you wish to put on #aj tons of manure per acre1 or #a1ejj bushels1 or #ac cart-loads1 then1 as there are #dc1efj square feet in an acre1 you want a bushel of manure to #bi square feet1 or say a space #b yards long1 by nearly #e feet wide4 ,now1 as our ridges are #b feet apart1 and as our usual plan is to manure #e ridges at a time1 or #ab feet wide1 a load of #bj bushels of manure will go over a space #df feet long1 nearly1 or say #ae yards2 and so1 a load would make #c heaps1 #ae feet apart1 and there would be #f bushels in each heap4 ,if the manure is to be spread on the surface of the land1 there is no necessity for placing the heap on the headland4 ,you can make the heap or heaps4 --8,where most convenient10 broke in the ,deacon4 --8,no1 not by any means10 ,i replied2 8for if that was the rule1 the men would certainly put the heap just where it happened to be the least trouble for them to draw and throw off the loads40 ,the aim should be to put the heap just where it will require the least labor to draw the manure on to the land in the spring4 ,on what we call 8rolling10 or hilly land1 ,i would put the heap on the highest land1 so that in the spring the horses would be going down hill with the full carts or wagons4 ,of course1 it would be very unwise to adopt this plan if the manure was not drawn from the yards until spring1 when the land was soft2 but ,i am now speaking of drawing out the manure in the winter1 when there is sleighing1 or when the ground is frozen4 ,no farmer will object to a little extra labor for the teams in the winter1 if it will save work and time in the spring4 ,illustration3 ,field1 #djbj ,rods1 showing ,position of two ,heaps of ,manure1 a1 a4 ,if the land is level1 then the heap or heaps should be placed where the least distance will have to be traveled in drawing the manure from the heap to the land4 ,if there is only one heap1 the best point would be in the center of the field4 ,if two heaps1 and the field is longer than it is broad1 say #bj rods wide1 and #dj rods long1 then the heaps should be made as shown on the previous page4 ,if the field is square1 say #dj #dj rods1 and we can have four heaps of manure1 then1 other things being equal1 the best points for the heaps are shown in the annexed figure3 ,illustration3 ,field1 #djdj ,rods1 showing ,position of four ,heaps of ,manure1 a1 a1 a1 a4 ,having determined where to make the heaps1 the next question is in regard to size4 ,we make one about #h feet wide and #f feet high1 the length being determined by the quantity of the manure we have to draw4 ,in cold weather1 it is well to finish the heap each day as far as you go1 so that the sloping side at the end of the heap will not be frozen during the night4 ,build up the sides square1 so that the top of the heap shall be as broad as the bottom4 ,you will have to see that this is done1 for the average farm-man1 if left to himself1 will certainly narrow up the heap like the roof of a house4 ,the reason he does this is that he throws the manure from the load into the center of the heap1 and he can not build up the sides straight and square without getting on to the heap occasionally1 and placing a layer round the outsides4 ,he should be instructed1 too1 to break up the lumps1 and mix the manure1 working it over until it is loose and fine4 ,it there are any frozen masses of manure1 place them on the east or south outside1 and not in the middle of the heap4 ,if there is any manure in the sheds1 or basements1 or cellars1 or pig-pens1 clean it out1 and draw it at once to the pile in the field1 and mix it with the manure you are drawing from the heap in the yard4 ,we generally draw with two teams and three wagons4 ,we have one man to fill the wagon in the yard1 and two men to drive and unload4 ,when the man comes back from the field1 he places his empty wagon by the side of the heap in the yard1 and takes off the horses and puts them to the loaded wagon1 and drives to the heap in the field4 ,if we have men and teams enough1 we draw with three teams and three wagons4 ,in this case1 we put a reliable man at the heap1 who helps the driver to unload1 and sees that the heap is built properly4 ,the driver helps the man in the yard to load up4 ,in the former plan1 we have two teams and three men2 in the latter case1 we have three teams and five men1 and as we have two men loading and unloading1 instead of one1 we ought to draw out double the quantity of manure in a day4 ,if the weather is cold and windy1 we put the blankets on the horses under the harness1 so that they will not be chilled while standing at the heap in the yard or field4 ,they will trot back lively with the empty wagon or sleigh1 and the work will proceed briskly1 and the manure be less exposed to the cold4 8,you do not10 said the ,doctor1 8draw the manure on to the heap with a cart1 and dump it1 as ,i have seen it done in ,england80 ,i did so a few years ago1 and might do so again if ,i was piling manure in the spring1 to be kept over summer for use in the fall4 ,the compression caused by drawing the cart over the manure1 has a tendency to exclude the air and thus retard fermentation4 ,in the winter there is certainly no necessity for resorting to any means for checking fermentation4 ,in the spring or summer it may be well to compress the heap a little1 but not more1 ,i think1 than can be done by the trampling of the workman in spreading the manure on the heap4 8,you do not10 said the ,doctor1 8adopt the old-fashioned ,english plan of keeping your manure in a basin in the barn-yard1 and yet ,i should think it has some advantages40 8,i practised it here10 said ,i1 8for some years4 ,i plowed and scraped a large hole or basin in the yard four or five feet deep1 with a gradual slope at one end for convenience in drawing out the loads--the other sides being much steeper4 ,i also made a tank at the bottom to hold the drainage1 and had a pump in it to pump the liquid back on to the heap in dry weather4 ,we threw or wheeled the manure from the stables and pig-pens into this basin1 but ,i did not like the plan1 for two reasons3 7#a17 the manure being spread over so large a surface froze during winter1 and 7#b17 during the spring there was so much water in the basin that it checked fermentation40 ,now1 instead of spreading it all over the basin1 we commenced a small heap on one of the sloping sides of the basin2 with a horse and cart we drew to this heap1 just as winter set in1 every bit of manure that could be found on the premises1 and everything that would make manure4 ,when got all together1 it made a heap seven or eight feet wide1 twenty feet long1 and three or four feet high4 ,we then laid planks on the heap1 and every day1 as the pig-pens1 cow and horse stables were cleaned out1 the manure was wheeled on to the heap and shaken out and spread about4 ,the heap soon commenced to ferment1 and when the cold weather set in1 although the sides and some parts of the top froze a little1 the inside kept quite warm4 ,little chimneys were formed in the heap1 where the heat and steam escaped4 ,other parts of the heap would be covered with a thin crust of frozen manure4 ,by taking a few forkfuls of the latter1 and placing them on the top of the 8chimneys10 they checked the escape of steam1 and had a tendency to distribute the heat to other parts of the heap4 ,in this way the fermentation became more general throughout all the mass1 and not so violent at any one spot4 8,but why be at all this trouble80--,for several reasons4 ,first4 ,it saves labor in the end4 ,two hours' work1 in winter1 will save three hours' work in the spring4 ,and three hours' work in the spring is worth more than four hours' work in the winter4 ,so that we save half the expense of handling the manure4 #b;d4 ,when manure is allowed to lie scattered about over a large surface1 it is liable to have much of its value washed out by the rain4 ,in a compact heap of this kind1 the rain or snow that falls on it is not more than the manure needs to keep it moist enough for fermentation4 #c;d4 ,there is as much fascination in this fermenting heap of manure as there is in having money in a savings bank4 ,one is continually trying to add to it4 ,many a cart-load or wheel-barrowful of material will be deposited that would otherwise be allowed to run to waste4 #dth4 ,the manure1 if turned over in ,february or ,march1 will be in capital order for applying to root crops2 or if your hay and straw contains weed-seeds1 the manure will be in good condition to spread as a top-dressing on grass-land early in the spring4 ,this1 ,i think1 is better than keeping it in the yards all summer1 and then drawing it out on the grass land in ,september4 ,you gain six months' or a year's time4 ,you get a splendid growth of rich grass1 and the red-root seeds will germinate next ,september just as well as if the manure was drawn out at that time4 ,if the manure is drawn out early in the spring1 and spread out immediately1 and then harrowed two or three times with a ,thomas' smoothing-harrow1 there is no danger of its imparting a rank flavor to the grass4 ,i know from repeated trials that when part of a pasture is top-dressed1 cows and sheep will keep it much more closely cropped down than the part which has not been manured4 ,the idea to the contrary originated from not spreading the manure evenly4 8,but why ferment the manure at all8 ,why not draw it out fresh from the yards8 ,does fermentation increase the amount of plant-food in the manure80--,no4 ,but it renders the plant-food in the manure more immediately available4 ,it makes it more soluble4 ,we ferment manure for the same reason that we decompose bone-dust or mineral phosphates with sulphuric acid1 and convert them into superphosphate1 or for the same reason that we grind our corn and cook the meal4 ,these processes add nothing to the amount of plant-food in the bones or the nutriment in the corn4 ,they only increase its availability4 ,so in fermenting manure4 ,when the liquid and solid excrements from well-fed animals1 with the straw necessary to absorb the liquid1 are placed in a heap1 fermentation sets in and soon effects very important changes in the nature and composition of the materials4 ,the insoluble woody fibre of the straw is decomposed and converted into humic and ulmic acids4 ,these are insoluble2 and when manure consists almost wholly of straw or corn stalks1 there would be little gained by fermenting it4 ,but when there is a good proportion of manure from well fed animals in the heap1 carbonate of ammonia is formed from the nitrogenous compounds in the manure1 and this ammonia unites with the humic and ulmic acids and forms humate and ulmate of ammonia4 ,these ammoniacal salts are soluble in water--as the brown color of the drainings of a manure heap sufficiently indicates4 ,properly fermented manure1 therefore1 of good quality1 is a much more active and immediately useful fertilizer than fresh1 unfermented manure4 ,there need be no loss of ammonia from evaporation1 and the manure is far less bulky1 and costs far less labor to draw out and spread4 ,the only loss that is likely to occur is from leaching1 and this must be specially guarded against4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,the ,,management ,,of ,,manures4--,continued4 ,,why ,,do ,,we ,,ferment ,,manure8 ,however much farmers may differ in regard to the advantages or disadvantages of fermenting manure1 ,i have never met with one who contended that it was good1 either in theory or practice1 to leave manure for months1 scattered over a barn-yard1 exposed to the spring and autumn rains1 and to the summer's sun and wind4 ,all admit that1 if it is necessary to leave manure in the yards1 it should be either thrown into a basin1 or put into a pile or heap1 where it will be compact1 and not much exposed4 ,we did not need the experiments of ,dr4 ,vlcker to convince us that there was great waste in leaving manure exposed to the leaching action of our heavy rains4 ,we did not know exactly how much we lost1 but we knew it must be considerable4 ,no one advocates the practice of exposing manure1 and it is of no use to discuss the matter4 ,all will admit that it is unwise and wasteful to allow manure to lie scattered and exposed over the barn-yards any longer than is absolutely necessary4 ,we should either draw it directly to the field and use it1 or we should make it into a compact heap1 where it will not receive more rain than is needed to keep it moist4 ,one reason for piling manure1 therefore1 is to preserve it from loss1 until we wish to use it on the land4 8,we all admit that10 said the ,deacon1 8but is there anything actually gained by fermenting it in the heap80--,in one sense1 no2 but in another1 and very important sense1 yes4 ,when we cook corn-meal for our little pigs1 we add nothing to it4 ,we have no more meal after it is cooked than before4 ,there are no more starch1 or oil1 or nitrogenous matters in the meal1 but we think the pigs can digest the food more readily4 ,and so1 in fermenting manure1 we add nothing to it2 there is no more actual nitrogen1 or phosphoric acid1 or potash1 or any other ingredient after fermentation than there was before1 but these ingredients are rendered more soluble1 and can be more rapidly taken up by the plants4 ,in this sense1 therefore1 there is a great gain4 ,one thing is certain1 we do not1 in many cases1 get anything like as much benefit from our manure as the ingredients it contains would lead us to expect4 ,mr4 ,lawes1 on his clayey soil at ,rothamsted1 ,england1 has grown over thirty crops of wheat1 year after year1 on the same land4 ,one plot has received #ad tons of barn-yard manure per acre every year1 and yet the produce from this plot is no larger1 and1 in fact1 is frequently much less1 than from a few hundred pounds of artificial manure containing far less nitrogen4 ,for nineteen years1 #aheb to #ahgj1 some of the plots have received the same manure year after year4 ,the following shows the average yield for the nineteen years3 ,wheat ,straw per acre4 per acre4 ,plot #e4--,mixed mineral manure1 alone #ag bus4 #ae cwt4 0 #f4--,mixed mineral manure1 and #bjj lbs4 ammoniacal salts #bg bus4 #be cwt4 0 #g4--,mixed mineral manure1 and #djj lbs4 ammoniacal salts #cf bus4 #cf cwt4 0 #i4--,mixed mineral manure1 and #eej lbs4 nitrate of soda #cg bus4 #da cwt4 0 #b4--ad tons farm-yard dung #cf bus4 #cd cwt4 ,the #ad tons 7#ca1cfj lbs47 of farm-yard manure contained about #h1edj lbs4 organic matter1 #hfh lbs4 mineral matter1 and #bjj lbs4 nitrogen4 ,the #djj lbs4 of ammoniacal salts1 and the #eej lbs4 nitrate of soda1 each contained #hb lbs4 of nitrogen2 and it will be seen that this #hb lbs4 of nitrogen produced as great an effect as the #bjj lbs4 of nitrogen in barn-yard manure4 ,similar experiments have been made on barley1 with even more striking results4 ,the plot dressed with #cjj lbs4 superphosphate of lime1 and #bjj lbs4 ammoniacal salts per acre1 produced as large a crop as #ad tons of farm-yard manure4 ,the average yield of barley for nineteen crops grown on the same land each year was #dh bus4 and #bh cwt4 of straw per acre on both plots4 ,in other words1 #da lbs4 of nitrogen1 in ammoniacal salts1 produced as great an effect as #bjj lbs4 of nitrogen in farm-yard manure6 ,during the nineteen years1 one plot had received #afb1bfj lbs4 of organic matter1 #af1dib lbs4 of mineral matter1 and #c1hjj lbs4 of nitrogen2 while the other had received only #e1gjj lbs4 mineral matter1 and #ggi lbs4 of nitrogen--and yet one has produced as large a crop as the other4 ,why this difference8 ,it will not do to say that more nitrogen was applied in the farm-yard manure than was needed4 ,mr4 ,lawes says3 8,for some years1 an amount of ammonia-salts1 containing #hb lbs4 of nitrogen1 was applied to one series of plots 7of barley71 but this was found to be too much1 the crop generally being too heavy and laid4 ,yet probably about #bjj lbs4 of nitrogen was annually supplied in the dung1 but with it there was no over-luxuriance1 and no more crop1 than where #da lbs4 of nitrogen was supplied in the form of ammonia or nitric acid40 ,it would seem that there can be but one explanation of these accurately-ascertained facts4 ,the nitrogenous matter in the manure is not in an available condition4 ,it is in the manure1 but the plants can not take it up until it is decomposed and rendered soluble4 ,dr4 ,vlcker analyzed 8perfectly fresh horse-dung10 and found that of free ammonia there was not more than one pound in #ae tons6 ,and yet these #ae tons contained nitrogen enough to furnish #adj lbs4 of ammonia4 8,but10 it may be asked1 8will not this fresh manure decompose in the soil1 and furnish ammonia80 ,in light1 sandy soil1 ,i presume it will do so to a considerable extent4 ,we know that clay mixed with manure retards fermentation1 but sand mixed with manure accelerates fermentation4 ,this1 at any rate1 is the case when sand is added in small quantities to a heap of fermenting manure4 ,but ,i do not suppose it would have the same effect when a small quantity of manure is mixed with a large amount of sand1 as is the case when manure is applied to land1 and plowed under4 ,at any rate1 practical farmers1 with almost entire unanimity1 think well-rotted manure is better for sandy land than fresh manure4 ,as to how rapidly1 or rather how slowly1 manure decomposes in a rather heavy loamy soil1 the above experiments of ,mr4 ,lawes afford very conclusive1 but at the same time very discouraging evidence4 ,during the #ai years1 #c1hjj lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #af1dib lbs4 of mineral matter1 in the form of farm-yard manure1 were applied to an acre of land1 and the #ai crops of barley in grain and straw removed only #c1gbd lbs4 of mineral matter1 and #a1jfd lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,the soil now contains1 unless it has drained away1 #a1gcf lbs4 more nitrogen per acre than it did when the experiments commenced4 ,and yet #da lbs4 of nitrogen in an available condition is sufficient to produce a good large crop of barley1 and #hb lbs4 per acre furnished more than the plants could organize4 8,those are very interesting experiments10 said the ,doctor1 8and show why it is that our farmers can afford to pay a higher price for nitrogen and phosphoric acid in superphosphate1 and other artificial manures1 than for the same amount of nitrogen and phosphoric acid in stable-manure40 ,we will not discuss this point at present4 ,what ,i want to ascertain is1 whether we can not find some method of making our farm-yard manure more readily available4 ,piling it up1 and letting it ferment1 is one method of doing this1 though ,i think other methods will yet be discovered4 ,possibly it will be found that spreading well-rotted manure on the surface of the land will be one of the most practical and simplest methods of accomplishing this object4 8,we pile the manure1 therefore10 said ,charley1 8first1 because we do not wish it to lie exposed to the rain in the yards1 and1 second1 because fermenting it in the heap renders it more soluble1 and otherwise more available for the crops1 when applied to the land40 ,that is it exactly1 and another reason for piling manure is1 that the fermentation greatly reduces its bulk1 and we have less labor to perform in drawing it out and spreading it4 ,ellwanger ,barry1 who draw several thousand loads of stable-manure every year1 and pile it up to ferment1 tell me that it takes three loads of fresh manure to make one load of rotted manure4 ,this1 of course1 has reference to bulk1 and not weight4 ,three tons of fresh barn-yard manure1 according to the experiments of ,dr4 ,vlcker1 will make about two tons when well rotted4 ,even this is a great saving of labor1 and the rotted manure can be more easily spread1 and mixed more thoroughly with the soil--a point of great importance4 8,another reason for fermenting manure10 said the ,squire1 8is the destruction of weed-seeds40 8,that is true10 said ,i1 8and a very important reason2 but ,i try not to think about this method of killing weed-seeds4 ,it is a great deal better to kill the weeds4 ,there can be no doubt that a fermenting manure-heap will kill many of the weed-seeds1 but enough will usually escape to re-seed the land40 ,it is fortunate1 however1 that the best means to kill weed-seeds in the manure1 are also the best for rendering the manure most efficient4 ,i was talking to ,john ,johnston on this subject a few days ago4 ,he told me how he piled manure in his yards4 8,i commence10 he said1 8where the heap is intended to be1 and throw the manure on one side1 until the bare ground is reached40 8,what is the use of that80 ,i asked4 8,if you do not do so10 he replied1 8there will be some portion of the manure under the heap that will be so compact that it will not ferment1 and the weed-seeds will not be killed40 8,you think10 said ,i1 8that weed-seeds can be killed in this way80 8,i know they can10 he replied1 8but the heap must be carefully made1 so that it will ferment evenly1 and when the pile is turned1 the bottom and sides should be thrown into the center of the heap40 ,,loss ,,of ,,ammonia ,,by ,,fermenting ,,manure4 ,if you throw a quantity of fresh horse-manure into a loose heap1 fermentation proceeds with great rapidity4 ,much heat is produced1 and if the manure is under cover1 or there is not rain enough to keep the heap moist1 the manure will 8fire-fang0 and a large proportion of the carbonate of ammonia produced by the fermentation will escape into the atmosphere and be lost4 ,as ,i have said before1 we use our horse-manure for bedding the store and fattening pigs4 ,we throw the manure every morning and evening1 when the stable is cleaned out1 into an empty stall near the door of the stable1 and there it remains until wanted to bed the pigs4 ,we find it is necessary to remove it frequently1 especially in the summer1 as fermentation soon sets in1 and the escape of the ammonia is detected by its well known pungent smell4 ,throw this manure into the pig-cellar and let the pigs trample it down1 and there is no longer any escape of ammonia4 ,at any rate1 ,i have never perceived any4 ,litmus paper will detect ammonia in an atmosphere containing only one seventy-five thousandth part of it2 and1 as ,prof4 ,s4 ,w4 ,johnson once remarked1 8,it is certain that a healthy nose is not far inferior in delicacy to litmus paper40 ,i feel sure that no ammonia escapes from this horse-manure after it is trampled down by the pigs1 although it contains an additional quantity of 8potential ammonia0 from the liquid and solid droppings of these animals4 ,water has a strong attraction for ammonia4 ,one gallon of ice-cold water will absorb #a1aej gallons of ammonia4 ,if the manure1 therefore1 is moderately moist1 the ammonia is not likely to escape4 ,furthermore1 as ,dr4 ,vlcker has shown us1 during the fermentation of the manure in a heap1 ulmic and humic1 crenic and apocrenic acids are produced1 and these unite with the ammonia and 8fix0 it--in other words1 they change it from a volatile gas into a non-volatile salt4 ,if the heap of manure1 therefore1 is moist enough and large enough1 all the evidence goes to show1 that there is little or no loss of ammonia4 ,if the centre of the heap gets so hot and so dry that the ammonia is not retained1 there is still no necessity for loss4 ,the sides of the heap are cool and moist1 and will retain the carbonate of ammonia1 the acids mentioned also coming into play4 ,the ammonia is much more likely to escape from the top of the heap than from the sides4 ,the heat and steam form little chimneys1 and when a fermenting manure-heap is covered with snow1 these little chimneys are readily seen4 ,if you think the manure is fermenting too rapidly1 and that the ammonia is escaping1 trample the manure down firmly about the chimneys1 thus closing them up1 and if need be1 or if convenient1 throw more manure on top1 or throw on a few pailfuls of water4 ,it is a good plan1 too1 where convenient1 to cover the heap with soil4 ,i sometimes do this when piling manure in the field1 not from fear of losing ammonia1 but in order to retain moisture in the heap4 ,with proper precautions1 ,i think we may safely dismiss the idea of any serious loss of ammonia from fermenting manure4 ,,the ,,waste ,,of ,,manure ,,from ,,leaching4 ,as we have endeavored to show1 there is little danger of losing ammonia by keeping and fermenting manure4 ,but this is not the only question to be considered4 ,we have seen that in #aj1jjj lbs4 of fresh farm-yard manure1 there is about #fd lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,of this1 about #ae lbs4 are soluble1 and #di lbs4 insoluble4 ,of mineral matter1 we have in this quantity of manure1 #eei lbs41 of which #aed lbs4 are soluble in water1 and #dje lbs4 insoluble4 ,if we had a heap of five tons of fermenting manure in a stable1 the escape of half an ounce of carbonate of ammonia would make a tremendous smell1 and we should at once use means to check the escape of this precious substance4 ,but it will be seen that we have in this five tons of fresh manure1 nitrogenous matter1 capable of forming over #ahj lbs4 of carbonate of ammonia1 over #db lbs4 of which is in a soluble condition4 ,this may be leached day after day1 slowly and imperceptibly1 with no heat1 or smell1 to attract attention4 ,how often do we see manure lying under the eaves of an unspouted shed or barn1 where one of our heavy showers will saturate it in a few minutes1 and yet where it will lie for hours1 and days1 and weeks1 until it would seem that a large proportion of its soluble matter would be washed out of it6 ,the loss is unquestionably very great1 and would be greater if it were not for the coarse nature of the material1 which allows the water to pass through it rapidly and without coming in direct contact with only the outside portions of the particles of hay1 straw1 etc41 of which the manure is largely composed4 ,if the manure was ground up very fine1 as it would be when prepared for analysis1 the loss of soluble matter would be still more serious4 ,or1 if the manure was first fermented1 so that the particles of matter would be more or less decomposed and broken up fine1 the rain would wash out a large amount of soluble matter1 and prove much more injurious than if the manure was fresh and unfermented4 8,that is an argument10 said the ,deacon1 8against your plan of piling and fermenting manure40 8,not at all10 ,i replied2 8it is a strong reason for not letting manure lie under the eaves of an unspouted building--especially good manure1 that is made from rich food4 ,the better the manure1 the more it will lose from bad management4 ,i have never recommended any one to pile their manure where it would receive from ten to twenty times as much water as would fall on the surface of the heap40 8,but you do recommend piling manure and fermenting it in the open air and keeping the top flat1 so that it will catch all the rain1 and ,i think your heaps must sometimes get pretty well soaked40 8,soaking the heap of manure10 ,i replied1 8does not wash out any of its soluble matter1 provided you carry the matter no further than the point of saturation4 ,the water may1 and doubtless does1 wash out the soluble matter from some portions of the manure1 but if the water does not filter through the heap1 but is all absorbed by the manure1 there is no loss4 ,it is when the water passes through the heap that it runs away with our soluble nitrogenous and mineral matter1 and with any ready formed ammonia it may find in the manure40 ,how to keep cows tied up in the barn1 and at the same time save all the urine1 is one of the most difficult problems ,i have to deal with in the management of manure on my farm4 ,the best plan ,i have yet tried is1 to throw horse-manure1 or sheep-manure1 back of the cows1 where it will receive and absorb the urine4 ,the plan works well1 but it is a question of labor1 and the answer will depend on the arrangement of the buildings4 ,if the horses are kept near the cows1 it will be little trouble to throw the horse-litter1 every day1 under or back of the cows4 ,in my own case1 my cows are kept in a basement1 with a tight barn-floor overhead4 ,when this barn-floor is occupied with sheep1 we keep them well-bedded with straw1 and it is an easy matter to throw this soiled bedding down to the cow-stable below1 where it is used to absorb the urine of the cows1 and is then wheeled out to the manure-heap in the yard4 ,at other times1 we use dry earth as an absorbent4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,manure ,,on ,,dairy-,,farms4 ,farms devoted principally to dairying ought to be richer and more productive than farms largely devoted to the production of grain4 ,nearly all the produce of the farm is used to feed the cows1 and little is sold but milk1 or cheese1 or butter4 ,when butter alone is sold1 there ought to be no loss of fertilizing matter--as pure butter or oil contains no nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 or potash4 ,it contains nothing but carbonaceous matter1 which can be removed from the farm without detriment4 ,and even in the case of milk1 or cheese1 the advantage is all on the side of the dairyman1 as compared with the grain-grower4 ,a dollar's worth of milk or cheese removes far less nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 than a dollar's worth of wheat or other grain4 ,five hundred lbs4 of cheese contains about #be lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #bj lbs4 of mineral matter4 ,a cow that would make this amount of cheese would eat not less than six tons of hay1 or its equivalent in grass or grain1 in a year4 ,and this amount of food1 supposing it to be half clover and half ordinary meadow-hay1 would contain #bdj lbs4 of nitrogen and #haj lbs4 of mineral matter4 ,in other words1 a cow eats #bdj lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #be lbs4 are removed in the cheese1 or not quite #aj per cent1 and of mineral matter not quite #b per cent is removed4 ,if it takes three acres to produce this amount of food1 there will be #h lbs4 of nitrogen removed by the cheese1 per acre1 while #cj bushels of wheat would remove in the grain #cb lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #aj to #ae lbs4 in the straw4 ,so that a crop of wheat removes from five to six times as much nitrogen per acre as a crop of cheese2 and the removal of mineral matter in cheese is quite insignificant as compared with the amount removed in a crop of wheat or corn4 ,if our grain-growing farmers can keep up the fertility of their land1 as they undoubtedly can1 the dairymen ought to be making theirs richer and more productive every year4 8,all that is quite true10 said the ,doctor1 8and yet from what ,i have seen and heard1 the farms in the dairy districts1 do not1 as a rule1 show any rapid improvement4 ,in fact1 we hear it often alleged that the soil is becoming exhausted of phosphates1 and that the quantity and quality of the grass is deteriorating40 8,there may be some truth in this10 said ,i1 8and yet ,i will hazard the prediction that in no other branch of agriculture shall we witness a more decided improvement during the next twenty-five years than on farms largely devoted to the dairy4 ,grain-growing farmers1 like our friend the ,deacon1 here1 who sells his grain and never brings home a load of manure1 and rarely buys even a ton of bran to feed to stock1 and who sells more or less hay1 must certainly be impoverishing their soils of phosphates much more rapidly than the dairyman who consumes nearly all his produce on the farm1 and sells little except milk1 butter1 cheese1 young calves1 and old cows40 8,bones had a wonderful effect10 said the ,doctor1 8on the old pastures in the dairy district of ,cheshire in ,england40 8,undoubtedly10 ,i replied1 8and so they will here1 and so would well-rotted manure4 ,there is nothing in this fact to prove that dairying specially robs the soil of phosphates4 ,it is not phosphates that the dairyman needs so much as richer manure40 8,what would you add to the manure to make it richer80 asked the ,doctor4 8,nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash10 ,i replied4 8,but how80 asked the ,deacon4 8,i suppose10 said the ,doctor1 8by buying guano and the ,german potash salts40 8,that would be a good plan10 said ,i2 8but ,i would do it by buying bran1 mill-feed1 brewer's-grains1 malt-combs1 corn-meal1 oil-cake1 or whatever was best and cheapest in proportion to value4 ,bran or mill-feed can often be bought at a price at which it will pay to use it freely for manure4 ,a few tons of bran worked into a pile of cow-dung would warm it up and add considerably to its value4 ,it would supply the nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 in which ordinary manure is deficient4 ,in short1 it would convert poor manure into rich manure40 8,well1 well10 exclaimed the ,deacon1 8,i knew you talked of mixing dried-blood and bone-dust with your manure1 but ,i did not think you would advocate anything quite so extravagant as taking good1 wholesome bran and spout-feed and throwing it on to your manure-pile40 8,why1 ,deacon10 said ,i1 8we do it every day4 ,i am putting about a ton of spout-feed1 malt-combs and corn-meal each week into my manure-pile1 and that is the reason why it ferments so readily even in the winter4 ,it converts my poor manure into good1 rich1 well-decomposed dung1 one load of which is worth three loads of your long1 strawy manure40 8,do you not wet it and let it ferment before putting it in the pile80 8,no1 ,deacon10 said ,i1 8,i feed the bran1 malt-combs and corn-meal to the cows1 pigs1 and sheep1 and let them do the mixing4 ,they work it up fine1 moisten it1 break up the particles1 take out the carbonaceous matter1 which we do not need for manure1 and the cows and sheep and horses mix it up thoroughly with the hay1 straw1 and corn-stalks1 leaving the whole in just the right condition to put into a pile to ferment or to apply directly to the land40 8,oh6 ,i see10 said the ,deacon1 8,i did not think you used bran for manure40 8,yes1 ,i do1 ,deacon10 said ,i1 8but ,i use it for food first1 and this is precisely what ,i would urge you and all others to do4 ,i feel sure that our dairymen can well afford to buy more mill-feed1 corn-meal1 oil-cake1 etc41 and mix it with their cow-dung--or rather1 let the cows do the mixing40 ,,letter ,,from ,,the ,,hon4 ,,harris ,,lewis4 ,i wrote to the ,hon4 ,harris ,lewis1 the well-known dairyman of ,herkimer ,co41 ,n4,y41 asking him some questions in regard to making and managing manure on dairy farms4 ,the questions will be understood from the answers4 ,he writes as follows3 8,my ,friend ,harris4--,this being the first leisure time ,i have had since the receipt of your last letter1 ,i devote it to answering your questions3 8#ast4 ,i have no manure cellar4 8,i bed my cows with dry basswood sawdust1 saving all the liquid manure1 keeping the cows clean1 and the stable odors down to a tolerable degree4 ,this bedding breaks up the tenacity of the cow-manure1 rendering it as easy to pulverize and manage as clear horse-manure4 ,i would say it is just lovely to bed cows with dry basswood sawdust4 ,this manure1 if left in a large pile1 will ferment and burn like horse-manure in about #aj days4 ,hence ,i draw it out as made where ,i desire to use it1 leaving it in small heaps1 convenient to spread4 8,my pigs and calves are bedded with straw1 and this is piled and rotted before using4 8,i use most of my manure on grass land1 and mangels1 some on corn and potatoes2 but it pays me best1 when in proper condition1 to apply all ,i do not need for mangels1 on meadow and pasture4 8,forty loads1 or about #ah to #bj cords is a homopathic dose for an acre1 and this quantity1 or more1 applied once in three years to grass land1 agrees with it first rate4 8,the land where ,i grow mangels gets about this dose every year4 8,i would say that my up-land meadows have been mown twice each year for a great many years4 8,i have been using refuse salt from ,syracuse1 on my mangels1 at the rate of about six bushels per acre1 applied broadcast in two applications4 ,my hen-manure is pulverized1 and sifted through a common coal sieve4 ,the fine ,i use for dusting the mangels after they have been singled out1 and the lumps1 if any1 are used to warm up the red peppers4 8,i have sometimes mixed my hen-manure with dry muck1 in the proportion of one bushel of hen-manure to #aj of muck1 and received a profit from it too big to tell of1 on corn1 and on mangels4 8,i have sprinkled the refuse salt on my cow-stable floors sometimes1 but where all the liquid is saved1 ,i think we have salt enough for most crops4 8,i have abandoned the use of plaster on my pastures for the reason that milk produced on green-clover is not so good as that produced on the grasses proper4 ,i use all the wood ashes ,i can get1 on my mangels as a duster1 and consider their value greater than the burners do who sell them to me for #ae cts4 a bushel4 ,i have never used much lime1 and have not received the expected benefits from its use so far4 ,but wood ashes agree with my land as well as manure does4 ,the last question you ask1 but one1 is this3 #8,what is the usual plan of managing manure in the dairy districts8' ,the usual method is to cut holes in the sides of the stable1 about every ten feet along the whole length of the barn behind the cows1 and pitch the manure out through these holes1 under the eaves of the barn1 where it remains until too much in the way1 when it is drawn out and commonly applied to grass land in lumps as big as your head4 ,this practice is getting out of fashion a little now1 but nearly one-half of all the cow-manure made in ,herkimer ,co4 is lost1 wasted4 8,your last question1 #8,what improvement would you suggest1' ,i answer by saying it is of no use to make any to these men1 it would be wasted like their manure4 8,the market value of manure in this county is #ej cts4 per big load1 or about one dollar per cord40 8,that is a capital letter10 said the ,deacon4 8,it is right to the point1 and no nonsense about it40 8,he must make a good deal of manure10 said the ,doctor1 8to be able to use #dj loads to the acre on his meadows and pastures once in three years1 and the same quantity every year on his field of mangel-wurzel40 8,that is precisely what ,i have been contending for10 ,i replied2 8the dairymen can make large quantities of manure if they make an effort to do it1 and their farms ought to be constantly improving4 ,two crops of hay on the same meadow1 each year1 will enable a farmer to keep a large herd of cows1 and make a great quantity of manure--and when you have once got the manure1 there is no difficulty in keeping up and increasing the productiveness of the land40 ,,how ,,to ,,make ,,more ,,and ,,better ,,manure ,,on ,,dairy ,,farms4 8,you are right10 said the ,doctor1 8in saying that there is no difficulty in keeping up and increasing the productiveness of our dairy farms1 when you have once got plenty of manure--but the difficulty is to get a good supply of manure to start with40 ,this is true1 and it is comparatively slow work to bring up a farm1 unless you have plenty of capital and can buy all the artificial manure you want4 ,by the free use of artificial manures1 you could make a farm very productive in one or two years4 ,but the slower and cheaper method will be the one adopted by most of our young and intelligent dairymen4 ,few of us are born with silver spoons in our mouths4 ,we have to earn our money before we can spend it1 and we are none the worse for the discipline4 ,suppose a young man has a farm of #ajj acres1 devoted principally to dairying4 ,some of the land lies on a creek or river1 while other portions are higher and drier4 ,in the spring of the year1 a stream of water runs through a part of the farm from the adjoining hills down to the creek or river4 ,the farm now supports ten head of cows1 three horses1 half a dozen sheep1 and a few pigs4 ,the land is worth #ge per acre1 but does not pay the interest on half that sum4 ,it is getting worse instead of better4 ,weeds are multiplying1 and the more valuable grasses are dying out4 ,what is to be done8 ,in the first place1 let it be distinctly understood that the land is not exhausted4 ,as ,i have before said1 the productiveness of a farm does not depend so much on the absolute amount of plant-food which the soil contains1 as on the amount of plant-food which is immediately available for the use of the plants4 ,an acre of land that produces half a ton of hay1 may contain as much plant-food as an acre that produces three tons of hay4 ,in the one case the plant-food is locked up in such a form that the crops cannot absorb it1 while in the other it is in an available condition4 ,i have no doubt there are fields on the farm ,i am alluding to1 that contain #c1jjj lbs4 of nitrogen1 and an equal amount of phosphoric acid1 per acre1 in the first six inches of the surface soil4 ,this is as much nitrogen as is contained in #ajj tons of meadow-hay1 and more phosphoric acid than is contained in #cej tons of meadow-hay4 ,these are the two ingredients on which the fertility of our farms mainly depend4 ,and yet there are soils containing this quantity of plant-food that do not produce more than half a ton of hay per acre4 ,in some fields1 or parts of fields1 the land is wet and the plants cannot take up the food1 even while an abundance of it is within reach4 ,the remedy in this case is under-draining4 ,on other fields1 the plant-food is locked up in insoluble combinations4 ,in this case we must plow up the soil1 pulverize it1 and expose it to the oxygen of the atmosphere4 ,we must treat the soil as my mother used to tell me to treat my coffee1 when ,i complained that it was not sweet enough4 8,i put plenty of sugar in10 she said1 8and if you will stir it up1 the coffee will be sweeter40 ,the sugar lay undissolved at the bottom of the cup2 and so it is with many of our soils4 ,there is plenty of plant-food in them1 but it needs stirring up4 ,they contain1 it may be1 #c1jjj lbs4 of nitrogen1 and other plant-food in still greater proportion1 and we are only getting a crop that contains #ah lbs4 of nitrogen a year1 and of this probably the rain supplies #i lbs4 ,let us stir up the soil and see if we cannot set #ajj lbs4 of this #c1jjj lbs4 of nitrogen free1 and get three tons of hay per acre instead of half a ton4 ,there are men who own a large amount of valuable property in vacant city lots1 who do not get enough from them to pay their taxes4 ,if they would sell half of them1 and put buildings on the other half1 they might soon have a handsome income4 ,and so it is with many farmers4 ,they have the elements of #ajj tons of hay lying dormant in every acre of their land1 while they are content to receive half a ton a year4 ,they have property enough1 but it is unproductive1 while they pay high taxes for the privilege of holding it1 and high wages for the pleasure of boarding two or three hired men4 ,we have1 say1 #c1jjj lbs4 of nitrogen locked up in each acre of our soil1 and we get #h or #aj lbs4 every year in rain and dew1 and yet1 practically1 all that we want1 to make our farms highly productive1 is #ajj lbs4 of nitrogen per acre per annum4 ,and furthermore1 it should be remembered1 that to keep our farms rich1 after we have once got them rich1 it is not necessary to develope this amount of nitrogen from the soil every year4 ,in the case of clover-hay1 the entire loss of nitrogen in the animal and in the milk would not exceed #ae per cent1 so that1 when we feed out #ajj lbs4 of nitrogen1 we have #he lbs4 left in the manure4 ,we want to develope #ajj lbs4 of nitrogen in the soil1 to enable us to raise a good crop to start with1 and when this is once done1 an annual development of #ae lbs4 per acre in addition to the manure1 would keep up the productiveness of the soil4 ,is it not worth while1 therefore1 to make an earnest effort to get started8--to get #ajj lbs4 of nitrogen in the most available condition in the soil8 ,as ,i said before1 this is practically all that is needed to give us large crops4 ,this amount of nitrogen represents about twelve tons of average barn-yard manure--that is to say1 twelve tons contains #ajj lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,but in point of fact it is not in an immediately available condition4 ,it would probably take at least two years before all the nitrogen it contains would be given up to the plants4 ,we want1 therefore1 in order to give us a good start1 #bd tons of barn-yard manure on every acre of land4 ,how to get this is the great problem which our young dairy farmer has to solve4 ,in the grain-growing districts we get it in part by summer-fallowing1 and ,i believe the dairyman might often do the same thing with advantage4 ,a thorough summer-fallow would not only clean the land1 but would render some of the latent plant-food available4 ,this will be organized in the next crop1 and when the dairyman has once got the plant-food1 he has decidedly the advantage over the grain-growing farmer in his ability to retain it4 ,he need not lose over #af per cent a year of nitrogen1 and not one per cent of the other elements of plant-food4 ,the land lying on the borders of the creek could be greatly benefited by cutting surface ditches to let off the water2 and later1 probably it will be found that a few underdrains can be put in to advantage4 ,these alluvial soils on the borders of creeks and rivers are grand sources of nitrogen and other plant-food4 ,i do not know the fact1 but it is quite probable that the meadows which ,harris ,lewis mows twice a year1 are on the banks of the river1 and are perhaps flooded in the spring4 ,but1 be this as it may1 there is a field on the farm ,i am alluding to1 lying on the creek1 which now produces a bountiful growth of weeds1 rushes1 and coarse grasses1 which ,i am sure could easily be made to produce great crops of hay4 ,the creek overflows in the spring1 and the water lies on some of the lower parts of the field until it is evaporated4 ,a few ditches would allow all the water to pass off1 and this alone would be a great improvement4 ,if the field was flooded in ,may or ,june1 and thoroughly cultivated and harrowed1 the sod would be sufficiently rotted to plow again in ,august4 ,then a thorough harrowing1 rolling1 and cultivating1 would make it as mellow as a garden1 and it could be seeded down with timothy and other good grasses the last of ,august1 or beginning of ,september1 and produce a good crop of hay the next year4 ,or1 if thought better1 it might be sown to rye and seeded down with it4 ,in either case the land would be greatly improved1 and would be a productive meadow or pasture for years to come--or until our young dairyman could afford to give it one of ,harris ,lewis' 8homopathic0 doses of #dj loads of good manure per acre4 ,he would then be able to cut two crops of hay a year--and such hay6 ,but we are anticipating4 ,that stream which runs through the farm in the spring1 and then dries up1 could be made to irrigate several acres of the land adjoining4 ,this would double1 or treble1 or quadruple1 78hold on10 said the ,deacon17 the crops of grass as far as the water reached4 ,the ,deacon does not seem to credit this statement2 but ,i have seen wonderful effects produced by such a plan4 ,what ,i am endeavoring to show1 is1 that these and similar means will give us larger crops of hay and grass1 and these in turn will enable us to keep more cows1 and make more manure1 and the manure will enable us to grow larger crops on other portions of the farm4 ,i am aware that many will object to plowing up old grass land1 and ,i do not wish to be misunderstood on this point4 ,if a farmer has a meadow that will produce two or three tons of hay1 or support a cow1 to the acre1 it would be folly to break it up4 ,it is already doing all1 or nearly all1 that can be asked or desired4 ,but suppose you have a piece of naturally good land that does not produce a ton of hay per acre1 or pasture a cow on three acres1 if such land can be plowed without great difficulty1 ,i would break it up as early in the fall as possible1 and summer-fallow it thoroughly1 and seed it down again1 heavily1 with grass seeds the next ,august4 ,if the land does not need draining1 it will not forget this treatment for many years1 and it will be the farmer's own fault if it ever runs down again4 ,in this country1 where wages are so high1 we must raise large crops per acre1 or not raise any4 ,where land is cheap1 it may sometimes pay to compel a cow to travel over three or four acres to get her food1 but we cannot afford to raise our hay in half ton crops2 it costs too much to harvest them4 ,high wages1 high taxes1 and high-priced land1 necessitate high farming2 and by high farming1 ,i mean growing large crops every year1 and on every portion of the farm2 but high wages and low-priced land do not necessarily demand high farming4 ,if the land is cheap we can suffer it to lie idle without much loss4 ,but when we raise crops1 whether on high-priced land or on low-priced land1 we must raise good crops1 or the expense of cultivating and harvesting them will eat up all the profits4 ,in the dairy districts1 ,i believe land1 in proportion to its quality and nearness to market1 commands a higher price than land in the grain-growing districts4 ,hence it follows that high farming should be the aim of the ,american dairyman4 ,i am told that there are farms in the dairy districts of this ,state worth from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars per acre1 on which a cow to four acres for the year is considered a good average4 ,at a meeting of the ,little ,falls ,farmers' ,club1 the ,hon4 ,josiah ,shull1 gave a statement of the receipts and expenses of his farm of #ha acres4 ,the farm cost #acj per acre4 ,he kept twenty cows1 and fatted one for beef4 ,the receipts were as follows3 ,twenty cows yielding #h1ccg lbs4 of cheese1 at about #ad cents per pound #a1ahf4cc ,increase on beef cow #dj4jj ,calves #de4jj --------- ,total receipts #a1bga4cc ,expenses4 ,boy1 six months and board #ahj4jj ,man by the year1 and board #cfj4jj ,carting milk and manufacturing cheese #bae4jj ------- ,total cost of labor #gee4jj ,the ,other ,expenses ,were3 ,fertilizers1 plants1 etc4 #ah4jj ,horse-shoeing and other repairs of farming implements1 7which is certainly pretty cheap17 #ej4jj ,wear and tear of implements #fe4jj ,average repairs of place and buildings #age4jj ,average depreciation and interest on stock #ahj4jj ,insurance #d4jj ,incidentals1 7also pretty low17 #ej4jj ------- #fbj4jj ,total receipts #a1bga4cc4 ,total expenses #a1cge4jj4 ,this statement1 it is said1 the ,club considered a very fair estimate4 ,now1 here is a farm costing #aj1eie1 the receipts from which1 saying nothing about interest1 are less than the expenses4 ,and if you add two cents per pound more to the price of the cheese1 the profit would still be only about #ej per year4 ,the trouble is not so much in the low price of cheese1 as in the low product per acre4 ,i know some grain-growing farmers who have done no better than this for a few years past4 ,mr4 ,shull places the annual depreciation and interest on stock at #ahj1 equal to nearly one-seventh of the total receipts of the farm4 ,it would pay the wages and board of another man for six months4 ,can not it be avoided8 ,good beef is relatively much higher in this ,state than good cheese4 ,some of the dairy authorities tell us that cheese is the cheapest animal food in the world1 while beef is the dearest4 ,why1 then1 should our dairymen confine their attention to the production of the cheapest of farm products1 and neglect almost entirely the production of the dearest8 ,if beef is high and cheese low1 why not raise more beef8 ,on low-priced land it may be profitable to raise and keep cows solely for the production of cheese1 and when the cows are no longer profitable for this purpose1 to sacrifice them--to throw them aside as we do a worn-out machine4 ,and in similar circumstances we may be able to keep sheep solely for their wool1 but on high-priced land we can not afford to keep sheep merely for their wool4 ,we must adopt a higher system of farming and feeding1 and keep sheep that will give us wool1 lambs1 and mutton4 ,in parts of ,south ,america1 where land costs nothing1 cattle can be kept for their bones1 tallow1 and hides1 but where food is costly we must make better use of it4 ,a cow is a machine for converting vegetable food into veal1 butter1 cheese1 and beef4 ,the first cost of the machine1 if a good one1 is considerable--say #ajj4 ,this machine has to be kept running night and day1 summer and winter1 week days and ,sundays4 ,if we were running a steam-flouring mill that could never be allowed to stop1 we should be careful to lay in a good supply of coal and also have plenty of grain on hand to grind1 so that the mill would never have to run empty4 ,no sensible man would keep up steam merely to run the mill4 ,he would want to grind all the time1 and as much as possible2 and yet coal is a much cheaper source of power than the hay and corn with which we run our milk-producing machine4 ,how often is the latter allowed to run empty8 ,the machine is running night and day--must run1 but is it always running to advantage8 ,do we furnish fuel enough to enable it to do full work1 or only little more than enough to run the machinery8 8,what has all this to do with making manure on dairy farms80 asked the ,deacon2 8you are wandering from the point40 8,i hope not2 ,i am trying to show that good feeding will pay better than poor feeding--and better food means better manure40 ,i estimate that it takes from #ae to #ah lbs4 of ordinary hay per day to run this cow-machine1 which we have been talking about1 even when kept warm and comfortable2 and if exposed to cold storms1 probably not less than #bj lbs4 of hay a day1 or its equivalent1 and this merely to keep the machine running1 without doing any work4 ,it requires this to keep the cow alive1 and to prevent her losing flesh4 ,if not supplied with the requisite amount of food for this purpose1 she will take enough fat and flesh from her own body to make up the deficiency2 and if she cannot get it1 the machine will stop--in other words1 the cow will die4 ,we have1 then1 a machine that costs say #ajj2 that will last on an average eight years2 that requires careful management2 that must have constant watching1 or it will be liable to get out of order1 and that requires1 merely to keep it running1 say #bj lbs4 of hay per day4 ,now1 what do we get in return8 ,if we furnish only #bj lbs4 of hay per day we get--nothing except manure4 ,if we furnish #be lbs4 of hay per day1 or its equivalent1 we get1 say half a pound of cheese per day4 ,if we furnish #cj lbs4 we get one pound of cheese per day1 or #cfe lbs4 a year4 ,we may not get the one pound of cheese every day in the year2 sometimes the cow1 instead of giving milk1 is furnishing food for her embryo calf1 or storing up fat and flesh2 and this fat and flesh will be used by and by to produce milk4 ,but it all comes from the food eaten by the cow2 and is equal to one pound of cheese per day for #cj lbs4 of hay or its equivalent consumed2 #bj lbs4 of hay gives us nothing2 #be lbs4 of hay gives us half a pound of cheese1 or #dj lbs4 of cheese from one ton of hay2 #cj lbs4 gives us one pound1 or #ff lbs4 of cheese from one ton of hay2 #ce lbs4 gives us #a lbs41 or #he #e_/g lbs4 of cheese to one ton of hay2 #dj lbs4 gives us #b lbs4 of cheese1 or #ajj lbs4 of cheese from one ton of hay2 #de lbs4 gives us #b lbs4 of cheese1 or #aaa lbs4 of cheese from one ton of hay2 #ej lbs4 gives us #c lbs4 of cheese1 or #abj lbs4 of cheese from one ton of hay4 ,on this basis1 one ton of hay1 in excess of the amount required to keep up the animal heat and sustain the vital functions1 gives us #bjj lbs4 of cheese4 ,the point ,i wish to illustrate by these figures1 which are of course hypothetical1 is1 that it is exceedingly desirable to get animals that will eat1 digest1 and assimilate a large amount of food1 over and above that required to keep up the heat of the body and sustain the vital functions4 ,when a cow eats only #be lbs4 of hay a day1 it requires one ton of hay to produce #dj lbs4 of cheese4 ,but if we could induce her to eat1 digest1 and assimilate #ej lbs4 a day1 one ton would produce #abj lbs4 of cheese4 ,if a cow eats #cc lbs4 of hay per day1 or its equivalent in grass1 it will require four acres of land1 with a productive capacity equal to #a tons of hay per acre1 to keep her a year4 ,such a cow1 according to the figures given above1 will produce #dja lbs4 of cheese a year1 or its equivalent in growth4 ,a farm of #hj acres1 on this basis1 would support #bj cows1 yielding1 say #h1jjj lbs4 of cheese4 ,increase the productive power of the farm one half1 7,i hope the ,deacon has not gone to sleep71 and keep #bj cows that will eat half as much again food1 and we should then get #ba1fjj lbs4 of cheese4 ,if cheese is worth #ae cents per lb41 a farm of #hj acres1 producing #a tons of hay1 or its equivalent1 per acre1 and supporting #bj cows1 would give us a gross return of #a1bjd4ej4 ,the same farm so improved as to produce #b tons of hay or its equivalent1 per acre--fed to #bj cows capable of eating1 digesting1 and assimilating it--would give a gross return of #c1bdj4 ,in presenting these figures1 ,i hope you will not think me a visionary4 ,i do not think it is possible to get a cow to produce #c lbs4 of cheese a day throughout the whole year4 ,but ,i do think it quite possible to so breed and feed a cow that she will produce #c lbs4 of cheese per day1 or its equivalent in veal1 flesh1 or fat4 ,we frequently have cows that produce #c lbs4 of cheese a day for several weeks2 and a cow can be so fed that she will produce #c lbs4 of cheese a day without losing weight4 ,and if she can extract this amount of matter out of the food for a part of the year1 why can not she do so for the whole year8 ,are the powers of digestion weaker in the fall and winter than in spring and summer8 ,if not1 we unquestionably sustain great loss by allowing this digestive power to run to waste4 ,this digestive power costs us #bj lbs4 of hay a day4 ,we can ill afford to let it lie dormant4 ,but the ,deacon will tell me that the cows are allowed all the food they will eat1 winter and summer4 ,then we must1 if they have digestive power to spare1 endeavor to persuade them to eat more4 ,if they eat as much hay or grass as their stomachs are capable of holding1 we must endeavor to give them richer hay or grass4 ,not one farmer in a thousand seems to appreciate the advantage of having hay or grass containing a high percentage of nutriment4 ,i have endeavored to show that a cow eating six tons of hay1 or its equivalent1 in a year1 would produce #djj lbs4 of cheese1 worth #fj4 ,while a cow capable of eating1 digesting1 and turning to good account1 nine tons of hay1 or its equivalent1 would produce #a1jij lbs4 of cheese1 or its equivalent in other products1 worth #afb4 8,i am sorry to interrupt the gentleman10 said the ,deacon with mock gravity4 8,then pray don't10 said ,i2 8,i will not detain you long1 and the subject is one which ought to interest you and every other farmer who keeps his cows on poor grass in summer1 and corn-stalks and straw in winter40 ,i was going to say1 when the ,deacon interrupted me1 that the stomach of a cow may not allow her to eat nine tons of hay a year1 but it will allow her to eat six tons2 and if these six tons contain as much nutriment as the nine tons1 what is the real difference in its value8 ,ordinarily we should probably estimate the one at #aj per ton1 and the other at #ae4 ,but according to the above figures1 one is worth #aj per ton and the other #bg4 ,to get rich grass1 therefore1 should be the aim of the ,american dairyman4 ,i hope the ,deacon begins to see what connection this has with a large pile of rich manure4 ,i do not mean merely a heavy growth of grass1 but grass containing a high percentage of nutriment4 ,our long winters and heavy snows are a great advantage to us in this respect4 ,our grass in the spring1 after its long rest1 ought to start up like asparagus1 and1 under the organizing influence of our clear skies1 and powerful sun1 ought to be exceedingly nutritious4 ,comparatively few farmers1 however1 live up to their privileges in this respect4 ,our climate is better than our farming1 the sun richer than our neglected soil4 ,england may be able to produce more grass per acre in a year than we can1 but we ought to produce richer grass1 and1 consequently1 more cheese to a cow4 ,and ,i believe1 in fact1 that such is often the case4 ,the ,english dairyman has the advantage of a longer season of growth4 ,we have a shorter season but a brighter sun1 and if we do not have richer grass it is due to the want of draining1 clean culture1 and manuring4 ,the object of ,american dairymen should be1 not only to obtain more grass per acre1 but to increase its nutriment in a given bulk4 ,if we could increase it one-half1 making six tons equal to nine tons1 we have shown that it is nearly three times as valuable4 ,whether this can be done1 ,i have not now time to consider2 but at any rate if your land produces as many weeds as do some fields on my farm1 not to say the ,deacon's1 and if the plant-food that these weeds absorb1 could be organized by nutritious grasses1 this alone would do a good deal towards accomplishing the object4 ,whether this can be done or not1 we want cows that can eat and turn to good account as much food per annum as is contained in nine tons of ordinary meadow-hay2 and we want this nutriment in a bulk not exceeding six tons of hay4 ,if possible1 we should get this amount of nutriment in grass or hay4 ,but if we can not do this1 we must feed enough concentrated food to bring it up to the desired standard4 8,but will it pay80 asked the ,deacon2 8,i have not much faith in buying feed4 ,a farmer ought to raise everything he feeds out40 8,as a rule1 this may be true10 ,i replied1 8but there are many exceptions4 ,i am trying to show that it will often pay a dairyman well to buy feed rich in nitrogen and phosphates1 so as to make rich manure1 and give him a start4 ,after he gets his land rich1 there is little difficulty in keeping up its productiveness4 8,now1 ,i have said--and the figures1 if anything1 are too low--that if a cow1 eating six tons of hay1 or its equivalent1 a year1 produces #djj lbs4 of cheese1 a cow capable of eating1 digesting1 and turning to good account nine tons of hay1 or its equivalent1 a year1 would produce #a1jij lbs4 of cheese1 or its equivalent in other products40 ,i would like to say much more on this subject1 but ,i hope enough has been said to show that there is great advantage in feeding rich food1 even so far as the production of milk or beef is concerned2 and if this is the case1 then there is no difficulty in making rich manure on a dairy farm4 ,and ,i am delighted to know that many farmers in the dairy districts are purchasing more and more bran and meal every year4 ,taking milk1 and beef1 and manure all into the account1 ,i feel sure that it will be found highly profitable2 but you must have good cows--cows that can turn their extra food to good account4 ,this is not the place to discuss the merits of the different breeds of cows4 ,all ,i wish to show is1 that to make better manure1 we must use richer food2 and to feed this to advantage1 we must have animals that can turn a large amount of food1 over and above the amount required to sustain the vital functions1 into milk1 flesh1 etc4 8,you do not think10 said the ,deacon1 8that a well-bred cow makes any richer manure than a common cow80 ,of course not2 but to make rich manure1 we must feed well2 and we can not afford to feed well unless we have good animals4 ,,how ,,to ,,save ,,and ,,apply ,,manure ,,on ,a ,,dairy-,,farm4 ,we can not go into details on this subject4 ,the truth is1 there are several good methods of saving manure1 and which is best depends entirely on circumstances4 ,the real point is to save the urine1 and keep the cow-stable clean and sweet4 ,there are three prominent methods adopted3 #ast4 ,to throw all the liquid and solid excrements into a manure-cellar underneath the cow-stable4 ,in this cellar1 dry swamp-muck1 dry earth1 or other absorbent material1 is mixed with the manure in sufficient quantity to keep down offensive odors4 ,a little dry earth or muck is also used in the stable1 scattering it twice a day in the gutters and under the hind legs of the cows4 ,where this is carried out1 it has many and decided advantages4 #b;d4 ,to wheel or throw out the solid parts of the manure1 and to have a drain for carrying the liquid into a tank1 where it can be pumped on to the heap of manure in the yard4 ,where many horses or sheep are kept1 and only a few cows1 this plan can often be used to advantage1 as the heap of manure in the yard1 consisting of horse-manure1 sheep-manure1 and a small portion of cow-dung1 will be able to absorb all the urine of the cows4 #c;d4 ,to use sufficient bedding to absorb all the urine in the stable4 ,in my own case1 as ,i have said before1 we usually chaff all our straw and stalks4 ,the orts are used for bedding1 and we also use a little dry earth--or1 to be more exact1 ,i use it when ,i attend to the matter myself1 but have always found more or less trouble in getting the work done properly1 unless ,i give it personal attention4 ,to use 8dirt0 to keep the stable clean1 is not a popular plan in this neighborhood4 ,where there is an abundance of straw1 and especially if cut into chaff1 the easiest way to keep the stable clean1 and the cows comfortable1 is to use enough of this chaffed straw to absorb all the liquid4 ,clean out the stable twice a day1 and wheel the manure directly to the heap1 and spread it4 ,in regard to the application of manure on a dairy-farm1 we have seen what ,harris ,lewis does with his4 ,i also wrote to ,t4 ,l4 ,harison1 ,esq41 of ,st4 ,lawrence ,co41 ,n4,y42 and knowing that he is not only a very intelligent farmer and breeder1 but also one of our best agricultural writers1 ,i asked him if he had written anything on the subject of manures4 8,st4 ,lawrence ,co410 said the ,deacon1 8produces capital grass1 oats1 and barley1 but is1 ,i should think1 too far north for winter wheat2 but what did ,mr ,harison say80--,here is his letter3 8,i never wrote anything about manure4 ,catch me at it6 ,nor do ,i know anything about the management of barn-yard manure worth telling4 ,my own practice is dictated quite as much by convenience as by considerations of economy40 8,good10 said the ,deacon2 8he writes like a sensible man40 8,my rotation10 he continues1 8is such that the bulk of the manure made is applied to one crop2 that is1 to my hoed crops1 corn1 potatoes1 and roots1 in the second year4 8,the manure from the stables is thrown or wheeled out under the sheds adjoining1 and as fast as it becomes so large a quantity as to be in the way1 or whenever there is an opportunity1 it is hauled out to the field1 where it is to be used1 and put in large piles4 ,it is turned once1 if possible1 in the spring1 and then spread4 8,the quantity applied1 is1 as near as may be1 #be loads per acre2 but as we use a great deal of straw1 we haul out #cj loads1 and estimate that in the spring it will be about #be loads4 8,if we have any more 7and occasionally we have #ajj loads over71 we pile it near the barn1 and turn it once or twice during the summer1 and use it as seems most profitable--sometimes to top-dress an old grass-field1 that for some reason we prefer not to break for another year4 ,sometimes it goes on a piece of fall wheat1 and sometimes is kept over for a barley field the following spring1 and harrowed in just before sowing4 8,i should spread the manure as it comes from the sheds1 instead of piling it1 but the great quantity of snow we usually have1 has always seemed to be an insuperable obstacle4 ,it is an advantage to pile it1 and to give it one turning1 but1 on the other hand1 the piles made in cold weather freeze through1 and they take a provokingly long time to thaw out in the spring4 ,i never found manure piled out of doors to get too much water from rain4 8,i have given up using gypsum1 except a little in the stables1 because the clover grows too strong without it1 and so long as this is the case1 ,i do not need gypsum4 ,but ,i sometimes have a piece of oats or barley that stands still1 and looks sick1 and a dose of gypsum helps it very much40 8,that is a fact worth remembering10 said the ,deacon4 8,i use some superphosphate10 continues ,mr4 ,harison1 8and some ground bones on my turnips4 ,we also use superphosphate on oats1 barley1 and wheat 7about #bjj lbs4 per acre71 and find it pays4 ,last year1 our estimate was1 on #aj acres of oats1 comparing with a strip in the middle1 left for the purpose1 that the #bjj lbs4 of superphosphate increased the crop #ae bushels per acre1 and gave a gain in quality4 ,it was the 8,manhattan10 which has about three per cent ammonia1 and seven to eight per cent soluble phosphoric acid4 8,my rotation1 which ,i stick to as close as ,i can1 is3 #a1 oats2 #b1 corn1 and potatoes1 and roots2 #c1 barley or spring wheat2 #d1 #e1 and #f1 grass 7clover or timothy1 with a little mixture occasionally74 8,i am trying to get to #d1 fall wheat1 but it is mighty risky40 8,that is a very sensible letter10 said the ,deacon2 8but it is evident that he raises more grain than ,i supposed was generally the case in the dairy districts2 and the fact that his clover is so heavy that he does not need plaster1 indicates that his land is rich40 ,it merely confirms what ,i have said all along1 and that is1 that the dairymen1 if they will feed their animals liberally1 and cultivate their soil thoroughly1 can soon have productive farms4 ,there are very few of us in this section who can make manure enough to give all our corn1 potatoes1 and roots1 #be loads of rotted manure per acre1 and have some to spare4 ,in the spring of #ahgg1 ,mr4 ,harison wrote3 8,i have been hauling out manure all winter as fast as made1 and putting it on the land4 ,at first we spread it2 but when deep snows came1 we put it in small heaps4 ,the field looks as if there had been a grain crop on it left uncut40 8,that last remark10 said the ,doctor1 8indicates that the manure looks more like straw than well-rotted dung1 and is an argument in favor of your plan of piling the manure in the yard or field1 instead of spreading it on the land1 or putting it in small heaps40 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,management ,,of ,,manures ,,on ,,grain-,,farms4 8,i am surprised to find10 said the ,deacon1 8that ,mr4 ,harison1 living as he does in the great grass and dairy district of this ,state1 should raise so much grain4 ,he has nearly as large a proportion of his land under the plow as some of the best wheat-growers of ,western ,new ,york40 ,this remark of the ,deacon is right to the point4 ,the truth is1 that some of our best wheat-growers are plowing less land1 and are raising more grass1 and keeping more stock2 and some of the dairymen1 though not keeping less stock1 are plowing more land4 ,the better farmers of both sections are approaching each other4 ,at all events1 it is certain that the wheat growers will keep more stock4 ,i wrote to the ,hon4 ,geo4 ,geddes1 of ,onondaga ,co41 ,n4,y41 well known as a large wheat-grower1 and as a life-long advocate of keeping up the fertility of our farms by growing clover4 ,he replies as follows3 8,i regret that ,i have not time to give your letter the consideration it deserves4 ,the subject you have undertaken is truly a difficult one4 ,the circumstances of a grain-raiser and a dairyman are so unlike1 that their views in regard to the treatment of the manure produced on the farm would vary as greatly as the lines of farming they follow4 8,the grain-grower has straw in excess2 he tries hard to get it into such form that he can draw it to his fields1 and get it at work1 at the least cost in labor4 ,so he covers his barn-yards deep with straw1 after each snow-storm1 and gets his cattle1 sheep1 and horses1 to trample it under foot2 and he makes his pigs convert all he can into such form that it will do to apply it to his pastures1 etc41 in winter or early spring4 8,a load of such manure is large1 perhaps1 but of no very great value1 as compared with well-rotted stable-manure from grain-fed horses2 but it is as good as much that ,i have seen drawn from city stables1 and carried far1 to restore the worn-out hay-fields on the shores of the ,north ,river--in fact1 quite like it4 8,the dairyman1 generally1 has but little straw1 and his manure is mostly dung of cows1 worth much more1 per cord1 than the straw-litter of the grain-growers4 8,the grain-grower will want no sheds for keeping off the rain1 but1 rather1 he will desire more water than will fall on an open yard4 ,the milkman will wish to protect his cow-dung from all rains1 or even snows2 so he is a great advocate of manure-sheds4 ,these two classes of farmers will adopt quite unlike methods of applying their manure to crops4 8,i have cited these two classes of farmers1 simply to show the difficulty of making any universal laws in regard to the treatment and use of barn-yard manure4 99 99 99 8,i think you and ,i are fully agreed in regard to the farm being the true source of the manure that is to make the land grow better with use1 and still produce crops--perhaps you will go with me so far as to say1 the greater the crops1 the more manure they will make--and the more manure1 the larger the crops4 8,now1 ,i object to any special farming1 when applied to a whole great division of country1 such as merely raising grain1 or devoted entirely to dairying4 8,i saw at ,rome1 ,n4,y41 these two leading branches of ,new ,york farming united on the ,huntington tract of #a1cjj acres4 ,three or four farms 7,i forget which7 had separate and distinct management1 conducted by different families1 but each had a dairy combined with the raising of large crops of grain1 such as wheat1 corn1 oats1 etc4 ,these grain-crops1 with suitable areas of meadow and pasture1 sustained the dairy1 and the cows converted much of the grain1 and all of the forage1 into manure4 ,thus was combined1 to mutual advantage1 these two important branches of ,new ,york farming4 ,wheat and cheese to sell1 and constant improvement in crops4 8,in our own case1 sheep have been combined with grain-raising4 ,so we have sold wool1 wheat1 and barley1 and1 in all my life1 not five tons of hay4 ,clover1 you know1 has been our great forage-crop4 ,we have wintered our sheep mostly on clover-hay1 having some timothy mixed with it1 that was necessarily cut 7to make into hay with the medium1 or early clover17 when it was but grass4 ,we have fed such hay to our cows and horses1 and have usually worked into manure the corn-stalks of about #bj acres of good corn1 each winter1 and we have worked all the straw into shape to apply as manure that we could1 spreading it thickly on pastures and such other fields as were convenient4 ,some straw we have sold1 mostly to paper-makers40 8,that10 said the ,deacon1 8is good1 old-fashioned farming4 ,plenty of straw for bedding1 and good clover and timothy-hay for feed1 with wool1 wheat1 and barley to sell4 ,no talk about oil-cake1 malt-combs1 and mangels2 nothing about superphosphate1 guano1 or swamp-muck40 ,mr4 ,geddes and ,mr4 ,johnston are both representative farmers2 both are large wheat-growers2 both keep their land clean and thoroughly cultivated2 both use gypsum freely2 both raise large crops of clover and timothy2 both keep sheep1 and yet they represent two entirely different systems of farming4 ,one is the great advocate of clover2 the other is the great advocate of manure4 ,i once wrote to ,mr4 ,geddes1 asking his opinion as to the best time to plow under clover for wheat4 ,he replied as follows3 8,plow under the clover when it is at full growth4 ,but your question can much better be answered at the end of a long1 free talk1 which can best be had here4 ,i have many times asked you to come here1 not to see fine farming1 for we have none to show1 but to see land that has been used to test the effects of clover for nearly #gj years4 ,on the ground1 ,i could talk to a willing auditor long1 if not wisely4 ,i am getting tired of being misunderstood1 and of having my statements doubted when ,i talk about clover as the great renovator of land4 ,you preach agricultural truth1 and the facts you would gather in this neighborhood are worth your knowing1 and worth giving to the world4 ,so come here and gather some facts about clover4 ,all that ,i shall try to prove to you is1 that the fact that clover and plaster are by far the cheapest manures that can be had for our lands1 has been demonstrated by many farmers beyond a doubt--so much cheaper than barn-yard manure that the mere loading of and spreading costs more than the plaster and clover4 ,do not quote me as saying this1 but come and see the farms hereabouts1 and talk with our farmers40 ,of course ,i went1 and had a capital time4 ,mr4 ,geddes has a magnificent farm of about #djj acres1 some four miles from ,syracuse4 ,it is in high condition1 and is continually improving1 and this is due to growing large and frequent crops of clover1 and to good1 deep plowing1 and clean and thorough culture4 ,we drove round among the farmers4 8,here is a man10 said ,mr4 ,g41 8who run in debt #de per acre for his farm4 ,he has educated his family1 paid off his debt1 and reports his net profits at from #b1jjj to #b1ejj a year on a farm of #ij acres2 and this is due to clover4 ,you see he is building a new barn1 and that does not look as though his land was running down under the system40 ,the next farmer we came to was also putting up a new barn1 and another farmer was enlarging an old one4 8,now1 these farmers have never paid a dollar for manure of any kind except plaster1 and their lands certainly do not deteriorate40 ,from ,syracuse1 ,i went to ,geneva1 to see our old friend ,john ,johnston4 8,why did you not tell me you were coming80 he said4 8,i would have met you at the cars4 ,but ,i am right glad to see you4 ,i want to show you my wheat1 where ,i put on #bej lbs4 of guano per acre last fall4 ,people here don't know that ,i used it1 and you must not mention it4 ,it is grand40 ,i do not know that ,i ever saw a finer piece of wheat4 ,it was the ,diehl variety1 sown #adth ,september1 at the rate of #a bushels per acre4 ,it was quite thick enough4 ,one breadth of the drill was sown at the rate of two bushels per acre4 ,this is earlier4 8,but10 said ,mr4 ,j41 8the other will have larger heads1 and will yield more40 ,after examining the wheat1 we went to look at the piles of muck and manure in the barn-yard1 and from these to a splendid crop of timothy4 8,it will go #b tons of hay per acre10 said ,mr4 ,j41 8and now look at this adjoining field4 ,it is just as good land naturally1 and there is merely a fence between1 and yet the grass and clover are so poor as hardly to be worth cutting40 8,what makes the difference80 ,i asked4 ,mr4 ,johnston1 emphatically1 8,manure40 ,the poor field did not belong to him6 ,mr4 ,johnston's farm was originally a cold1 wet1 clayey soil4 ,mr4 ,geddes' land did not need draining1 or very little4 ,of course1 land that needs draining1 is richer after it is drained1 than land that is naturally drained4 ,and though ,mr4 ,johnston was always a good farmer1 yet he says he 8never made money until he commenced to drain40 ,the accumulated fertility in the land could then be made available by good tillage1 and from that day to this1 his land has been growing richer and richer4 ,and1 in fact1 the same is true of ,mr4 ,geddes' farm4 ,it is richer land to-day than when first plowed1 while there is one field that for seventy years has had no manure applied to it1 except plaster4 ,how is this to be explained8 ,mr4 ,geddes would say it was due to clover and plaster4 ,but this does not fully satisfy those who claim1 7and truly71 that 8always taking out of the meal-tub and never putting in1 soon comes to the bottom40 ,the clover can add nothing to the land1 that it did not get from the soil1 except organic matter obtained from the atmosphere1 and the plaster furnishes little or nothing except lime and sulphuric acid4 ,there are all the other ingredients of plant-food to be accounted for--phosphoric acid1 potash1 soda1 magnesia1 etc4 ,a crop of clover1 or corn1 or wheat1 or barley1 or oats1 will not come to perfection unless every one of these elements is present in the soil in an available condition4 ,mr4 ,geddes has not furnished a single ounce of any one of them4 8,where do they come from80 ,i answer1 from the soil itself4 ,there is probably enough of these elements in the soil to last ten thousand years2 and if we return to the soil all the straw1 chaff1 and bran1 and sell nothing but fine flour1 meat1 butter1 etc41 there is probably enough to last a million years1 and you and ,i need not trouble ourselves with speculations as to what will happen after that time4 ,nearly all our soils are practically inexhaustible4 ,but of course these elements are not in an available condition4 ,if they were1 the rains would wash them all into the ocean4 ,they are rendered available by a kind of fermentation4 ,a manure-heap packed as hard and solid as a rock would not decay2 but break it up1 make it fine1 turn it occasionally so as to expose it to the atmosphere1 and with the proper degree of moisture and heat it will ferment rapidly1 and all its elements will soon become available food for plants4 ,nothing has been created by the process4 ,it was all there4 ,we have simply made it available4 ,so it is with the soil4 ,break it up1 make it fine1 turn it occasionally1 expose it to the atmosphere1 and the elements it contains become available4 ,i do not think that ,mr4 ,geddes' land is any better1 naturally1 than yours or mine4 ,we can all raise fair crops by cultivating the land thoroughly1 and by never allowing a weed to grow4 ,on ,mr4 ,lawes' experimental wheat-field1 the plot that has never received a particle of manure1 produces every year an average of about #ae bushels per acre4 ,and the whole crop is removed--grain1 straw1 and chaff4 ,nothing is returned4 ,and that the land is not remarkably rich1 is evident from the fact that some of the farms in the neighborhood1 produce1 under the ordinary system of management1 but little more wheat1 once in four or five years than is raised every year on this experimental plot without any manure4 ,why8 ,because these farmers do not half work their land1 and the manure they make is little better than rotten straw4 ,mr4 ,lawes' wheat-field is plowed twice every year1 and when ,i was there1 the crop was hand-hoed two or three times in the spring4 ,not a weed is suffered to grow4 ,and this is all there is to it4 ,now1 of course1 instead of raising #ae bushels of wheat every year1 it is a good deal better to raise a crop of #cj bushels every other year1 and still better to raise #de bushels every third year4 ,and it is here that clover comes to our aid4 ,it will enable us to do this very thing1 and the land runs no greater risk of exhaustion than ,mr4 ,lawes' unmanured wheat crop4 ,mr4 ,geddes and ,i do not differ as much as you suppose4 ,in fact1 ,i do not believe that we differ at all4 ,he has for years been an earnest advocate for growing clover as a renovating crop4 ,he thinks it by far the cheapest manure that can be obtained in this section4 ,i agree with him most fully in all these particulars4 ,he formed his opinion from experience and observation4 ,i derived mine from the ,rothamsted experiments4 ,and the more ,i see of practical farming1 the more am ,i satisfied of their truth4 ,clover is1 unquestionably1 the great renovating crop of ,american agriculture4 ,a crop of clover1 equal to two tons of hay1 when plowed under1 will furnish more ammonia to the soil than twenty tons of straw-made manure1 drawn out fresh and wet in the spring1 or than twelve tons of our ordinary barn-yard manure4 ,no wonder ,mr4 ,geddes and other intelligent farmers recommend plowing under clover as manure4 ,i differ from them in no respect except this3 that it is not absolutely essential to plow clover under in the green state in order to get its fertilizing effect2 but1 if made into hay1 and this hay is fed to animals1 and all the manure carefully saved1 and returned to the land1 there need be comparatively little loss4 ,the animals will seldom take out more than from five to ten per cent of all the nitrogen furnished in the food--and less still of mineral matter4 ,i advocate growing all the clover you possibly can--so does ,mr4 ,geddes4 ,he says1 plow it under for manure4 ,so say ,i--unless you can make more from feeding out the clover-hay1 than will pay you for waiting a year1 and for cutting and curing the clover and drawing back the manure4 ,if you plow it under1 you are sure of it4 ,there is no loss4 ,in feeding it out1 you may lose more or less from leaching1 and injurious fermentation4 ,but1 of course1 you need not lose anything1 except the little that is retained in the flesh1 or wool1 or milk1 of the animals4 ,as things are on many farms1 it is perhaps best to plow under the clover for manure at once4 ,as things ought to be1 it is a most wasteful practice4 ,if you know how to feed out the hay to advantage1 and take pains to save the manure 7and to add to its value by feeding oil-cake1 bran1 etc41 with it71 it is far better to mow your clover1 once for hay1 and once for seed1 than to plow it under4 ,buy oil-cake and bran with the money got from the seed1 and growing clover-seed will not injure the land4 ,i am glad to hear that ,mr4 ,geddes occasionally sells straw4 ,i once sold #ae tons of straw to the paper-makers for #aej1 they drawing it themselves1 and some of my neighbors criticised me severely for doing so4 ,it is not considered an orthodox practice4 ,i do not advocate selling straw as a rule2 but1 if you have more than you can use to advantage1 and it is bringing a good price1 sell part of the straw and buy bran1 oil-cake1 etc41 with the money4 ,to feed nothing but straw to stock is poor economy2 and to rot it down for manure is no better4 ,straw itself is not worth #c4jj a ton for manure2 and as one ton of straw1 spread in an open yard to rot1 will make1 in spring1 about four tons of so-called manure1 and if it costs #ej cents a ton to draw out and spread it1 the straw1 even at this comparatively high estimate of its value1 nets you1 when fed out alone1 or rotted down1 only #a4jj a ton4 ,i had about #cj tons of straw4 ,fed out alone or rotted down it would make #abj tons of manure4 ,after deducting the expense of hauling1 and spreading1 it nets me on the land1 #cj4 ,now sell half the straw for #aej1 and buy three tons of oil-cake to feed out with the other half1 and you would have about seventy tons of manure4 ,the manure from the fifteen tons of straw is worth1 say #de1 and from the three tons of oil-cake1 #fj1 or #aje4 ,it will cost #ce to draw and spread it1 and will thus net on the land1 #gj4 ,so far as the manure question is concerned1 therefore1 it is far better to sell half your straw1 and buy oil-cake with the money1 than to feed it out alone--and ,i think it is also far better for the stock4 ,of course1 it would be better for the farm1 not to sell any of the straw1 and to buy six tons of oil-cake to feed out with it2 but those of us who are short of capital1 must be content to bring up our land by slow degrees4 8,i am at a loss to understand10 wrote ,mr4 ,geddes1 8what you mean1 when you say that a ton of straw will make1 in the spring of the year1 four tons of so-called manure4 ,if you had said that four tons of straw would make one ton of manure1 ,i should have thought nothing of it4 ,but how you can turn one ton of straw into four tons of anything that anybody will call manure1 ,i do not see4 ,in a conversation ,i had with ,hon4 ,lewis ,f4 ,allen1 of ,black ,rock1 more than a year ago1 he told me that he had enquired of the man who furnished hay for feeding cattle at the ,central ,yards1 in ,buffalo1 as to the loads of manure he sold1 and though ,i can not now say the exact quantity to a ton of hay1 ,i remember that it was very little--far less than ,i had before supposed4 ,please explain this straw-manure matter40 ,boussingault1 the great ,french chemist-farmer1 repeatedly analyzed the manure from his barn-yard4 8,the animals which had produced this dung1 were #cj horses1 #cj oxen1 and from #aj to #bj pigs4 ,the absolute quantity of moisture was ascertained1 by first drying in the air a considerable weight of dung1 and after pounding1 continuing and completing1 the drying of a given quantity40 ,no one can doubt the accuracy of the results4 ,the dung made in the ,winter of #ahcg-h1 contained #gi4f per cent of water4 0 0 #ahch-i1 0 #gg4h 0 0 0 0 ,autumn 0 #ahci1 0 #hj4d 0 0 0 0 ,fresh solid cow-dung contains1 according to the same authority1 #ij per cent of water4 ,i have frequently seen manure drawn out in the spring1 that had not been decomposed at all1 and with more or less snow among it1 and with water dripping from the wagon1 while it was being loaded4 ,it was1 in fact1 straw saturated with water1 and discolored by the droppings of animals4 ,now1 how much of such manure would a ton of dry straw make8 ,if we should take #bj lbs4 of straw1 trample it down1 and from time to time sprinkle it with water and snow1 until we had got on #hj lbs41 and then put on #bj lbs4 more straw1 and #hj lbs4 more water1 and keep on until we had used up a ton of straw1 how much 8so-called manure10 should we have to draw out8 #b1jjj lbs4 of straw1 and #h1jjj lbs4 water #aj1jjj lbs4 so-called manure4 ,in other words1 we get five tons of such manure from one ton of straw4 ,this is1 perhaps1 an extreme case1 but there can be little doubt1 that a ton of straw1 trampled down by cattle1 and sheep1 in an open barn-yard1 exposed to snow and rain1 would weigh four tons when drawn out wet in the spring4 ,yes1 it is quite an argument in favor of manure cellars4 ,i have always had a prejudice against them--probably1 because the first one ,i saw was badly managed4 ,there is1 however1 no necessity1 even in an ordinary open barn-yard1 with more or less sheds and stables1 of having so much water in the manure when drawn out4 ,the real point of my remarks1 which so surprised ,mr4 ,geddes1 was this3 ,we have to draw out so much water with our manure1 under any circumstances1 that we should try to have it as rich as possible4 ,it is certainly true1 that1 if the manure from a ton of straw is worth #c1 that from a ton of clover-hay1 is worth #aj4 ,and it costs no more to draw out and spread the one than the other4 ,i have never yet found a farmer who would believe that a ton of clover-hay1 rotted down in the barn-yard1 would make three or four tons of manure2 but he would readily assent to the proposition1 that it took four or five tons of green clover to make a ton of hay2 and that if these four or five tons of green-clover were rotted in the yard1 it would make three or four tons of manure4 ,and yet1 the only difference between the green-clover and the hay1 is1 that the latter has lost some #fj or #gj per cent of water in curing4 ,add that amount of water to the hay1 and it will make as much manure as the green-clover from which the hay was made4 ,,gypsum ,,and ,,clover ,,as ,,manure4 ,a good farmer came in while we were talking4 8,nothing like plaster and clover10 he said1 8for keeping up a wheat-farm40 ,and you will find this the general opinion of nearly all ,american wheat-growers4 ,it must be accepted as a fact4 ,but the deductions drawn from the fact are as various as they are numerous4 ,let us look first at the fact4 ,and1 if you like1 we will take my own farm as an example4 ,about #fj years ago1 it was covered with the primeval forest4 ,the trees1 on the higher and drier land1 were first cut down1 and many of them burnt on the land4 ,wheat was sown among the stumps4 ,the crop varied in different years1 from #aj to #cj bushels per acre4 ,when #cj bushels were grown1 the fact was remembered4 ,when #aj bushels only were grown1 little was said about it in after years1 until now there is a general impression that our wheat crops were formerly much larger per acre than now4 ,i doubt it2 but we will not discuss the point4 ,one thing is certain1 the land would produce good crops of clover2 and when this clover was plowed under for manure1 we got better crops of wheat afterwards4 ,this was the rule4 ,later1 we commenced to use gypsum as a top-dressing on clover4 ,the effect was often wonderful4 ,farmers will tell you that they sowed #bjj lbs4 of plaster per acre1 on their young clover1 in the spring1 and it doubled the crop4 ,this statement expresses an agricultural1 and not an arithmetical fact4 ,we do not know that the crop on the plastered portion was twice as heavy as on the unplastered4 ,we know that it was larger1 and more luxuriant4 ,there was a greater1 and more vigorous growth4 ,and this extra growth was caused by the small top-dressing of powdered gypsum rock4 ,it was a great fact in agriculture4 ,i will call it fact1 ,no4 #a4 ,then1 when the clover was turned under1 we usually got good wheat4 ,this is fact1 ,no4 #b4 ,on these two facts1 hang many of our agricultural theories4 ,we may state these facts in many ways4 ,still1 it all comes to this3 ,clover is good for wheat2 plaster is good for clover4 ,there is another fact1 which is a matter of general observation and remark4 ,you rarely find a good farmer who does not pay special attention to his clover-crop4 ,when ,i was riding with ,mr4 ,geddes1 among the farmers of ,onondaga ,county1 on passing a farm where everything looked thrifty--good fences1 good buildings1 good garden1 good stock1 and the land clean and in good condition--,i would ask who lived there1 or some other question4 ,no matter what4 ,the answer was always the same4 8,oh6 he is another of our clover men40 ,we will call this fact1 ,no4 #c4 ,and when1 a year afterwards1 ,mr4 ,geddes returned my visit1 and ,i drove him around among the farmers of ,monroe ,county1 he found precisely the same state of facts4 ,all our good farmers were clover men4 ,among the good wheat-growers in ,michigan1 you will find the same state of things4 ,these are the facts4 ,let us not quarrel over them4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,,the ,,cheapest ,,manure ,a ,,farmer ,,can ,,use4 ,i do not know who first said1 8,the cheapest manure a farmer can use is--clover-seed10 but the saying has become part of our agricultural literature1 and deserves a passing remark4 ,i have heard good farmers in ,western ,new ,york say1 that if they had a field sown with wheat that they were going to plow the spring after the crop was harvested1 they would sow #aj lbs4 of clover-seed on the wheat in the spring4 ,they thought that the growth of the clover in the fall1 after the wheat was cut1 and the growth the next spring1 before the land was plowed1 would afford manure worth much more than the cost of the clover-seed4 8,i do not doubt it10 said the ,deacon2 8but would it not be better to let the crop grow a few months longer1 and then plow it under80 8,but that is not the point10 ,i remarked2 8we sometimes adopt a rotation when ,indian-corn follows a crop of wheat4 ,in such a case1 good farmers sometimes plow the land in the fall1 and again the next spring1 and then plant corn4 ,this is one method4 ,but ,i have known1 as ,i said before1 good farmers to seed down the wheat with clover2 and the following spring1 say the third week in ,may1 plow under the young clover1 and plant immediately on the furrow4 ,if the land is warm1 and in good condition1 you will frequently get clover1 by this time1 a foot high1 and will have two or three tons of succulent vegetation to turn under2 and the farmer who first recommended the practice to me1 said that the cut-worms were so fond of this green-clover that they did not molest the young corn-plants4 ,i once tried the plan myself1 and found it to work well2 but since then1 ,i have kept so many pigs and sheep1 that clover has been too useful to plow under4 ,but we will not discuss this point at present4 8,what ,i wanted to say is this3 ,here we have a field in wheat4 ,half of it 7,a7 we seed down with #ab lbs4 of clover-seed per acre2 the other half 7,b7 not4 ,the clover-seed and sowing on ,a1 cost1 say1 #b per acre4 ,we plow ,b in the fall2 this will cost us about as much as the clover seed sown on ,a4 ,in the spring1 ,a and ,b are both plowed and planted to corn4 ,now1 which half of the field will be in the cleanest and best condition1 and which will produce the best corn1 and the best barley1 or oats1 afterwards80 8,i vote for ,a10 said the ,deacon4 8,i vote for ,a10 said the ,doctor4 8,i vote for ,a10 said the ,squire4 8,i should think10 modestly suggested ,charley1 8that it would depend somewhat on the soil10 and ,charley is right4 ,on a clean1 moderately rich piece of light1 sandy soil1 ,i should certainly expect much better corn1 and better barley or oats1 on ,a1 where the clover was grown1 than on ,b4 ,but if the field was a strong loam1 that needed thorough cultivation to get it mellow enough for corn1 ,i am inclined to think that ,b would come out ahead4 ,at any rate1 ,i am sure that on my own farm1 moderately stiff land1 if ,i was going to plant corn after wheat1 ,i should not seed it down with clover4 ,i would plow the wheat stubble immediately after harvest1 and harrow and cultivate it to kill the weeds1 and then1 six weeks or two months later1 ,i would plow it again4 ,i would draw out manure in the winter1 pile it up in the field to ferment1 and the next spring spread it1 and plow it under1 and then-- 8,and then what80 asked the ,deacon4 --8,why the truth is10 said ,i1 8then ,i would not plant corn at all4 ,i should either sow the field to barley1 or drill in mangel-wurzel or ,swede-turnips4 ,but if ,i did plant corn1 ,i should expect better corn than if ,i had sown clover with the wheat2 and the land1 if the corn was well cultivated1 would be remarkably clean1 and in fine condition2 and the next time the land was seeded down with clover1 we could reasonably expect a great crop40 ,the truth is1 that clover-seed is sometimes a very cheap manure1 and farmers are in no danger of sowing too much of it4 ,i do not mean sowing too much seed per acre1 but they are in no danger of sowing too many acres with clover4 ,on this point1 there is no difference of opinion4 ,it is only when we come to explain the action of clover--when we draw deductions from the facts of the case--that we enter a field bristling all over with controversy4 8,you have just finished threshing10 said the ,deacon1 8and for my part1 ,i would rather hear how your wheat turned out1 than to listen to any of your chemical talk about nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash40 8,the wheat10 said ,i1 8turned out full as well as ,i expected4 ,fourteen acres of it was after wheat1 and eight acres of it after oats4 ,both these fields were seeded down with clover last year1 but the clover failed1 and there was nothing to be done but to risk them again with wheat4 ,the remainder was after barley4 ,in all1 there was not quite #dj acres1 and we had #ied bushels of ,diehl wheat4 ,this is not bad in the circumstances2 but ,i shall not be content until ,i can average1 taking one year with another1 #ce to #dj bushels per acre4 ,if the land had been rich enough1 there would unquestionably have been #dj bushels per acre this year4 ,that is to say1 the season was quite capable of producing this amount2 and ,i think the mechanical condition of the land was also equal to it2 all that was needed was sufficient available plant-food in the soil40 8,i can see no reason10 said the ,doctor1 8why you may not average #dj bushels of wheat per acre in a good season40 8,the field of #ad acres10 said ,i1 8where wheat followed wheat1 yielded #bc bushels per acre4 ,last year it yielded #bb bushels per acre2 and so we got in the two years #de bushels per acre40 ,this field has had no manure of any kind for years4 ,in fact1 since the land was cleared1 #dj or #ej years ago1 ,i presume that all the manure that has been applied would not1 in the aggregate1 be equal to more than a good crop of clover-hay4 ,the available plant-food required to produce these two crops of wheat came from the soil itself1 and from the rain1 dews1 and atmosphere4 ,the land is now seeded down with clover1 and with the aid of a bushel or two of plaster per acre1 next spring1 it is not improbable that1 if mown twice for hay next year1 it will yield in the two crops three tons of hay per acre4 ,now1 three tons of clover-hay contain about #cc lbs4 of phosphoric acid1 #ij lbs4 of potash1 and #aej lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,the last crop of wheat1 of #bb bushels per acre1 and say #a1ejj lbs4 of straw1 would contain3 ,in the grain4 ,in the straw4 ,in total crop4 ,phosphoric acid #aa lbs4 #c lbs4 #ae lbs4 ,potash #f 0 #i 0 #af 0 ,nitrogen #bc 0 #i 0 #cb 0 ,it seems very unkind in the wheat-plants not to give me more than #bb bushels per acre1 when the clover-plants coming after will find phosphoric acid enough for #dj bushels of wheat1 and potash and nitrogen enough for nearly #ajj bushels of wheat per acre4 ,and these are the three important constituents of plant-food4 ,why1 then1 did ,i get only #bb bushels of wheat per acre8 ,i got #bc bushels on the same land the year previous1 and it is not improbable that if ,i had sown the same land to wheat again this fall1 ,i should get #ab or #ae bushels per acre again next year4 ,but the clover will find plant-food enough for #dj bushels of wheat4 8,there is not much doubt10 said the ,deacon1 8that you will get a good crop of clover1 if you will keep the sheep off of the land this fall4 ,but ,i do not see what you mean by the clover-plants finding food enough for #dj bushels of wheat1 while in point of fact1 if you had sown the field again to wheat this fall1 you would not1 as you say1 probably get more than #ab or #ae bushels of wheat40 8,he means this10 said the ,doctor4 8,if he had sown the land to wheat this fall1 without manure1 he would probably not get over #ae bushels of wheat per acre1 and yet you both agree that the land will1 in all probability1 produce next year1 if mown twice1 three tons of clover-hay per acre1 without any manure4 8,now1 if we admit that the clover gets no more nitrogen from the rain and dews1 and from the atmosphere1 than the wheat will get1 then it follows that this soil1 which will only produce #ae bushels of wheat per acre1 does1 in point of fact1 contain plant-food enough for #dj bushels of wheat1 and the usual proportion of straw4 8,the two crops take up from the soil as follows3 ,phosphoric acid4 ,potash4 ,nitrogen4 #ae bushels wheat and straw #aj lbs4 #aa lbs4 #bb lbs4 #c tons clover-hay #cc 0 #ij 0 #aej 0 8,these facts and figures10 continued the ,doctor1 8are worth looking at and thinking about4 ,why can not the wheat get as much phosphoric acid out of the soil as the clover80 8,because10 said the ,deacon1 8the roots of the clover go down deeper into the subsoil than the roots of wheat40 8,that is a very good reason1 so far as it goes10 said ,i1 8but does not include all the facts4 ,i have no sort of doubt1 that if ,i had sown this land to wheat1 and put on #ge lbs4 of nitrogen per acre1 ,i should have got a wheat-crop containing1 in grain and straw1 #cj lbs4 of phosphoric acid4 ,and so the reason ,i got #ae bushels of wheat per acre1 instead of #dj bushels1 is not because the roots of wheat do not go deep enough to find sufficient soluble phosphoric acid40 8,possibly10 said the ,doctor1 8the nitrogen you apply may render the phosphoric acid in the soil more soluble40 8,that is true10 said ,i2 8and this was the answer ,liebig gave to ,mr4 ,lawes4 ,of which more at some future time4 ,but this answer1 like the ,deacon's1 does not cover all the facts of the case2 for a supply of soluble phosphoric acid would not1 in all probability1 give me a large crop of wheat4 ,i will give you some facts presently bearing on this point4 8,what we want to find out is1 why the clover can get so much more phosphoric acid1 potash1 and nitrogen1 than the wheat1 from the same soil80 ,,more ,,about ,,clover4 ,the ,deacon seemed to think the ,doctor was going to give a scientific answer to the question4 8,if the clover can get more nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 from the same soil than wheat10 said he1 8why not accept the fact1 and act accordingly8 ,you scientific gentlemen want to explain everything1 and sometimes make confusion worse confounded4 ,we know that a sheep will grow fat in a pasture where a cow would starve40 8,true10 said the ,doctor1 8and that is because the cow gathers food with her tongue1 and must have the grass long enough for her to get hold of it2 while a sheep picks up the grass with her teeth and gums1 and1 consequently1 the sheep can eat the grass down into the very ground40 8,very well10 said the ,deacon2 8and how do you know but that the roots of the clover gather up their food sheep-fashion1 while the wheat-roots eat like a cow80 8,that is not a very scientific way of putting it10 said the ,doctor2 8but ,i am inclined to think the ,deacon has the right idea40 8,perhaps1 then10 said ,i1 8we had better let it go at that until we get more light on the subject4 ,we must conclude that the wheat can not get food enough from the soil to yield a maximum crop1 not because there is not food enough in the field1 but the roots of the wheat are so constituted that they can not gather it up2 while clover-roots1 foraging in the same soil1 can find all they want40 8,clover10 said the ,deacon1 8is the scavenger of the farm2 like a pig1 it gathers up what would otherwise be wasted40 8,of course1 these illustrations10 said the ,doctor1 8do not give us any clear idea of how the clover-plants take up food4 ,we must recollect that the roots of plants take up their food in solution2 and it has just occurred to me that1 possibly1 ,mr4 ,lawes' experiments on the amount of water given off by plants during their growth1 may throw some light on the subject we are discussing40 8,mr4 ,lawes found10 continued the ,doctor1 8that a wheat-plant1 from ,march #ai to ,june #bh1 or #aja days1 evaporated through its leaves1 etc41 #de1gac grains of water2 while a clover-plant1 standing alongside1 and in precisely similar condition1 evaporated #ee1jic grains4 ,the clover was cut ,june #bh1 when in full bloom4 ,the wheat-plant was allowed to grow until ripe1 ,sept4 #g4 ,from ,june #bh to ,sept4 #g1 or #gb days1 the wheat-plant evaporated #fg1had grains40 8,one moment10 said the ,deacon2 8as ,i understand1 the clover-plant evaporated more water than the wheat-plant1 until the #bhth of ,june1 but that during the next #ga days1 the wheat-plant evaporated more water than it had during the previous #aja days40 8,yes10 said ,i1 8and if these facts prove nothing else1 they at least show that there is a great difference between wheat and clover4 ,i was at ,rothamsted when these experiments were made4 ,during the first nine days of the experiment1 the clover-plant evaporated #cii4f grains of water2 while the wheat-plant1 standing alongside1 evaporated only #abh4g grains4 ,in other words1 the clover-plant evaporated three times as much water as the wheat-plant4 ,during the next #ca days1 the wheat-plant evaporated #a1bfg4h grains1 and the clover-plant #a1fdc4j grains2 but during the next #bg days1 from ,april #bh to ,may #be1 the wheat-plant evaporated #afb4d grains of water per day1 while the clover-plant only evaporated #aji4b grains per day4 ,during the next #cd days1 from ,may #be to ,june #bh1 the wheat-plant evaporated #a1agg4d grains per day1 and the clover-plant #a1dgc4e grains per day40 8,in ,june10 said the ,deacon1 8the clover evaporates ten times as much water per day as it did in ,may4 ,how much water would an acre of clover evaporate80 8,let ,charley figure it out10 said the ,doctor4 8,suppose each plant occupies #aj square inches of land2 there are #f1bgb1fdj square inches in an acre1 and1 consequently1 there would be #fbg1bfd clover-plants on an acre4 ,each plant evaporated #a1dgc4e grains per day1 and there are #g1jjj grains in a pound40 ,charley made the calculation1 and found that an acre of clover1 from ,may #be to ,june #bh1 evaporated #ebh1eih lbs4 of water1 or #ae1edg lbs4 per day4 ,a much more accurate way of ascertaining how much water an acre of clover evaporates is afforded us by these experiments4 ,after the plants were cut1 they were weighed and analyzed2 and it being known exactly how much water each plant had given off during its growth1 we have all the facts necessary to tell us just how much a crop of a given weight would evaporate4 ,in brief1 it was found that for each pound of dry substance in the wheat-plant1 #bdg4d lbs4 of water had been evaporated2 and for each pound in the clover-plant1 #bfi4a lbs4 ,an acre of wheat of #ae bushels per acre of grain1 and an equal weight of straw1 would exhale during the spring and summer #agg tons of water1 or calculated on #agb days1 the duration of the experiment1 #b1jee lbs4 per day4 ,an acre of clover that would make two tons of hay1 would pass off through its leaves1 in #aja days1 #dcj tons of water1 or #h1fjj lbs4 per day--more than four times as much as the wheat4 ,these figures show that1 from an agricultural point of view1 there is a great difference between1 wheat and clover2 and yet ,i think the figures do not show the whole of the difference4 ,the clover was cut just at the time when the wheat-plant was entering on its period of most rapid growth and exhalation1 and1 consequently1 the figures given above probably exaggerate the amount of water given off by the wheat during the early part of the season4 ,it is1 at any rate1 quite clear1 and this is all ,i want to show1 that an acre of good clover exhales a much larger amount of water from spring to hay-harvest than an acre of wheat4 8,and what10 said the ,deacon1 who was evidently getting tired of the figures1 8does all this prove80 ,the figures prove that clover can drink a much greater quantity of water during ,march1 ,april1 ,may1 and ,june1 than wheat2 and1 consequently1 to get the same amount of food1 it is not necessary that the clover should have as much nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 potash1 etc41 in the water as the wheat-plant requires4 ,i do not know that ,i make myself understood4 8,you want to show10 said the ,deacon1 8that the wheat-plant requires richer food than clover40 ,yes1 ,i want to show that1 though clover requires more food per day than wheat1 yet the clover can drink such a large amount of water1 that it is not necessary to make the 8sap of the soil0 so rich in nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 for clover1 as it is for wheat4 ,i think this tells the whole story4 ,clover is1 or may be1 the grandest renovating and enriching crop commonly grown on our farms4 ,it owes its great value1 not to any power it may or may not possess of getting nitrogen from the atmosphere1 or phosphoric acid and potash from the subsoil1 but principally1 if not entirely1 to the fact that the roots can drink up such a large amount of water1 and live and thrive on very weak food4 ,,how ,,to ,,make ,a ,,farm ,,rich ,,by ,,growing ,,clover4 ,not by growing the clover1 and selling it4 ,nothing would exhaust the land so rapidly as such a practice4 ,we must either plow under the clover1 let it rot on the surface1 or pasture it1 or use it for soiling1 or make it into hay1 feed it out to stock1 and return the manure to the land4 ,if clover got its nitrogen from the atmosphere1 we might sell the clover1 and depend on the roots left in the ground1 to enrich the soil for the next crop4 ,but if1 as ,i have endeavored to show1 clover gets its nitrogen from a weak solution in the soil1 it is clear1 that though for a year or two we might raise good crops from the plant-food left in the clover-roots1 yet we should soon find that growing a crop of clover1 and leaving only the roots in the soil1 is no way to permanently enrich land4 ,i do not say that such a practice will 8exhaust0 the land4 ,fortunately1 while it is an easy matter to impoverish land1 we should have to call in the aid of the most advanced agricultural science1 before we could 8exhaust0 land of its plant-food4 ,the free use of ,nitrate of ,soda1 or ,sulphate of ,ammonia1 might enable us to do something in the way of exhausting our farms1 but it would reduce our balance at a bank1 or send us to the poor-house1 before we had fully robbed the land of its plant-food4 ,to exhaust land1 by growing and selling clover1 is an agricultural impossibility1 for the simple reason that1 long before the soil is exhausted1 the clover would produce such a poverty-stricken crop1 that we should give up the attempt4 ,we can make our land poor1 by growing clover1 and selling it2 or1 we can make our land rich1 by growing clover1 and feeding it out on the farm4 ,or1 rather1 we can make our land rich1 by draining it where needed1 cultivating it thoroughly1 so as to develope the latent plant-food existing in the soil1 and then by growing clover to take up and organize this plant-food4 ,this is how to make land rich by growing clover4 ,it is not1 in one sense1 the clover that makes the land rich2 it is the draining and cultivation1 that furnishes the food for the clover4 ,the clover takes up this food and concentrates it4 ,the clover does not create the plant-food2 it merely saves it4 ,it is the thorough cultivation that enriches the land1 not the clover4 8,i wish10 writes a distinguished ,new ,york gentleman1 who has a farm of barren sand1 8you would tell us whether it is best to let clover ripen and rot on the surface1 or plow it under when in blossom8 ,i have heard that it gave more nitrogen to the land to let it ripen and rot on it1 but as ,i am no chemist1 ,i do not know40 ,if1 instead of plowing under the clover--say the last of ,june1 it was left to grow a month longer1 it is quite possible that the clover-roots and seed would contain more nitrogen than they did a month earlier4 ,it was formerly thought that there was a loss of nitrogen during the ripening process1 but the evidence is not altogether conclusive on the point4 ,still1 if ,i had a piece of sandy land that ,i wished to enrich by clover1 ,i do not think ,i should plow it under in ,june1 on the one hand1 or let it grow until maturity1 and rot down1 on the other4 ,i should rather prefer to mow the crop just as it commenced to blossom1 and let the clover lie1 spread out on the land1 as left by the machine4 ,there would1 ,i think1 be no loss of fertilizing elements by evaporation1 while the clover-hay would act as a mulch1 and the second growth of clover would be encouraged by it4 ,mow this second crop again1 about the first week in ,august4 ,then1 unless it was desirable to continue the process another year1 the land might be plowed up in two or three weeks1 turning under the two previous crops of clover that are on the surface1 together with the green-clover still growing4 ,i believe this would be better than to let the clover exhaust itself by running to seed4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,,dr4 ,v,,lcker',s ,,experiments ,,on ,,clover4 ,in the ,journal of the ,royal ,agricultural ,society of ,england1 for #ahfh1 ,dr4 ,vlcker1 the able chemist of the ,society1 and formerly ,professor of ,agricultural ,chemistry1 at the ,royal ,agricultural ,college at ,cirencester1 ,england1 has given us a paper 8,on the ,causes of the ,benefits of ,clover1 as a preparatory ,crop for ,wheat40 ,the paper has been repeatedly and extensively quoted in this country1 but has not been as critically studied as the importance of the subject demands4 8,never mind all that10 said the ,deacon1 8tell us what ,dr4 ,vlcker says40 8,here is the paper10 said ,i1 8and ,charley will read it to us40 ,charley read as follows3 8,agricultural chemists inform us1 that in order to maintain the productive powers of the land unimpaired1 we must restore to it the phosphoric acid1 potash1 nitrogen1 and other substances1 which enter into the composition of our farm crops2 the constant removal of organic and inorganic soil constituents1 by the crops usually sold off the farm1 leading1 as is well known1 to more or less rapid deterioration and gradual exhaustion of the land4 ,even the best wheat soils of this and other countries1 become more and more impoverished1 and sustain a loss of wheat-yielding power1 when corn-crops are grown in too rapid succession without manure4 ,hence1 the universal practice of manuring1 and that also of consuming oil-cake1 corn1 and similar purchased food on land naturally poor1 or partially exhausted by previous cropping4 8,whilst1 however1 it holds good as a general rule1 that no soil can be cropped for any length of time1 without gradually becoming more and more infertile1 if no manure be applied to it1 or if the fertilizing elements removed by the crops grown thereon1 be not by some means or other restored1 it is1 nevertheless1 a fact1 that after a heavy crop of clover carried off as hay1 the land1 far from being less fertile than before1 is peculiarly well adapted1 even without the addition of manure1 to bear a good crop of wheat in the following year1 provided the season be favorable to its growth4 ,this fact1 indeed1 is so well known1 that many farmers justly regard the growth of clover as one of the best preparatory operations which the land can undergo1 in order to its producing an abundant crop of wheat in the following year4 ,it has further been noticed1 that clover mown twice1 leaves the land in a better condition1 as regards its wheat-producing capabilities1 than when mown once only for hay1 and the second crop fed off on the land by sheep2 for1 notwithstanding that in the latter instance the fertilizing elements in the clover-crop are in part restored in the sheep excrements1 yet1 contrary to expectation1 this partial restoration of the elements of fertility to the land has not the effect of producing more or better wheat in the following year1 than is reaped on land from off which the whole clover-crop has been carried1 and to which no manure whatever has been applied4 8,again1 in the opinion of several good1 practical agriculturists1 with whom ,i have conversed on the subject1 land whereon clover has been grown for seed in the preceding year1 yields a better crop of wheat than it does when the clover is mown twice for hay1 or even only once1 and afterwards fed off by sheep40 8,i do not think10 said the ,deacon1 8that this agrees with our experience here4 ,a good crop of clover-seed is profitable1 but it is thought to be rather hard on land40 8,such10 said ,i1 8is the opinion of ,john ,johnston4 ,he thinks allowing clover to go to seed1 impoverishes the soil40 ,charley1 continued to read3 8,whatever may be the true explanation of the apparent anomalies connected with the growth and chemical history of the clover-plant1 the facts just mentioned1 having been noticed1 not once or twice only1 or by a solitary observer1 but repeatedly1 and by numbers of intelligent farmers1 are certainly entitled to credit2 and little wisdom1 as it strikes me1 is displayed by calling them into question1 because they happen to contradict the prevailing theory1 according to which a soil is said to become more or less impoverished1 in proportion to the large or small amount of organic and mineral soil constituents carried off in the produce40 8,that is well said10 ,i remarked1 8and very truly2 but ,i will not interrupt the reading40 8,in the course of a long residence10 continues ,dr4 ,vlcker1 8in a purely agricultural district1 ,i have often been struck with the remarkably healthy appearance and good yield of wheat1 on land from which a heavy crop of clover-hay was obtained in the preceding year4 ,i have likewise had frequent opportunities of observing1 that1 as a rule1 wheat grown on part of a field whereon clover has been twice mown for hay1 is better than the produce of that on the part of the same field on which the clover has been mown only once for hay1 and afterwards fed off by sheep4 ,these observations1 extending over a number of years1 led me to inquire into the reasons why clover is specially well fitted to prepare land for wheat2 and in this paper1 ,i shall endeavor1 as the result of my experiments on the subject1 to give an intelligible explanation of the fact1 that clover is so excellent a preparatory crop for wheat1 as it is practically known to be4 8,by those taking a superficial view of the subject1 it may be suggested that any injury likely to be caused by the removal of a certain amount of fertilizing matter1 is altogether insignificant1 and more than compensated for1 by the benefit which results from the abundant growth of clover-roots1 and the physical improvement in the soil1 which takes place in their decomposition4 ,looking1 however1 more closely into the matter1 it will be found that in a good crop of clover-hay1 a very considerable amount of both mineral and organic substances is carried off the land1 and that1 if the total amount of such constituents in a crop had to be regarded exclusively as a measure for determining the relative degrees in which different farm crops exhaust the soil1 clover would have to be described as about the most exhausting crop in the entire rotation4 8,clover-hay1 on an average1 and in round numbers1 contains in #ajj parts3 ,water #ag4j ,nitrogenous substances1 7flesh-forming matters799 #ae4f ,non-nitrogenous compounds #ei4i ,mineral matter1 7ash7 #g4e ----- #ajj4j 99 ,containing nitrogen #b4e 8,the mineral portion1 or ash1 in #ajj parts of clover-hay1 consists of3 ,phosphoric acid #g4e ,sulphuric acid #d4c ,carbonic acid #ah4j ,silica #c4j ,lime #cj4j ,magnesia #h4e ,potash #bj4j ,soda1 chloride of sodium1 oxide of iron1 sand1 loss1 etc4 #h4g ----- #ajj4j 8,let us suppose the land to have yielded four tons of clover-hay per acre4 ,according to the preceding data1 we find that such a crop includes #bbd lbs4 of nitrogen1 equal to #bgb lbs4 of ammonia1 and #fgb lbs4 of mineral matter or ash constituents4 0,in #fgb lbs4 of clover-ash1 we find3 ,phosphoric acid #ea lbs4 ,sulphuric acid #bi 0 ,carbonic acid #aba 0 ,silica #bj 0 ,lime #bja 0 ,magnesia #eg 0 ,potash #acd 0 ,soda1 chloride of sodium1 oxide of iron1 sand1 etc4 #eh 0 ------------ #fgb lbs4 8,four tons of clover-hay1 the produce of one acre1 thus contain a large amount of nitrogen1 and remove from the soil an enormous quantity of mineral matters1 abounding in lime and potash1 and containing also a good deal of phosphoric acid4 8,leaving for a moment the question untouched1 whether the nitrogen contained in the clover1 is derived from the soil1 or from the atmosphere1 or partly from the one1 and partly from the other1 no question can arise as to the original source from which the mineral matters in the clover produce are derived4 ,in relation1 therefore1 to the ash-constituents1 clover must be regarded as one of the most exhausting crops usually cultivated in this country4 ,this appears strikingly to be the case1 when we compare the preceding figures with the quantity of mineral matters which an average crop of wheat removes from an acre of land4 8,the grain and straw of wheat contain1 in round numbers1 in #ajj parts3 ,grains of ,wheat4 ,straw4 ,water #ae4j #af4j ,nitrogenous substances1 7flesh-forming matter799 #aa4a #d4j ,non-nitrogenous substances #gb4b #gd4i ,mineral matter1 7ash7 #a4g #e4a ----- ------ #ajj4j #ajj4j 99 ,containing nitrogen #a4gh 4#fd 8,the ash of wheat contains1 in #ajj parts3 ,grain4 ,straw4 ,phosphoric acid #ej4j #e4j ,sulphuric acid #j4e #b4g ,carbonic acid ,silica #b4e #fg4j ,lime #c4e #e4e ,magnesia #aa4e #b4i ,potash #cj4j #ac4j ,soda1 chloride of sodium1 oxide of iron1 sand1 etc4 #b4j #d4h ----- ----- ,total #ajj4j #ajj4j 8,the mean produce of wheat1 per acre1 may be estimated at #be bushels1 which1 at #fj lbs4 per bushel1 gives #a1ejj lbs42 and as the weight of the straw is generally twice that of the grain1 its produce will be #c1jjj lbs4 ,according1 therefore1 to the preceding data1 there will be carried away from the soil3 ,in #a1ejj lbs4 of the grain #be lbs4 of mineral food1 7in round numbers74 ,in #c1jjj lbs4 of the straw #aej lbs4 of mineral food1 7in round numbers74 --- ,total #age lbs4 8,on the average of the analyses1 it will be found that the composition of these #age lbs4 is as follows3 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- ,in the ,in the grain4 straw4 ,total4 -------------------------------- ,phosphoric acid #ab4e lbs4 #g4e lbs4 #bj4j lbs4 ,sulphuric acid #j4a 0 #d4j 0 #d4a 0 ,carbonic acid ,silica #j4f 0 #ajj4e 0 #aja4a 0 ,lime #j4i 0 #h4b 0 #i4a 0 ,magnesia #b4i 0 #c4j 0 #e4i 0 ,potash #g4e 0 #ai4e 0 #bg4j 0 ,soda1 chloride of sodium1 oxide of iron1 sand1 etc4 #j4e 0 #g4c 0 #g4h 0 -------------------------------- #be4 lbs4 #aej4 lbs4 #age4 lbs4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 8,the total quantity of ash constituents carried off the land1 in an average crop of wheat1 thus amounts to only #age lbs4 per acre1 whilst a good crop of clover removes as much as #fgb lbs4 8,nearly two-thirds of the total amount of mineral in the grain and straw of one acre of wheat1 consists of silica1 of which there is an ample supply in almost every soil4 ,the restoration of silica1 therefore1 need not trouble us in any way1 especially as there is not a single instance on record1 proving that silica1 even in a soluble condition1 has ever been applied to land1 with the slightest advantage to corn1 or grass-crops1 which are rich in silica1 and which1 for this reason1 may be assumed to be particularly grateful for it in a soluble state4 ,silica1 indeed1 if at all capable of producing a beneficial effect1 ought to be useful to these crops1 either by strengthening the straw1 or stems of graminaceous plants1 or otherwise benefiting them2 but1 after deducting the amount of silica from the total amount of mineral matters in the wheat produced from one acre1 only a trifling quantity of other and more valuable fertilizing ash constituents of plants will be left4 ,on comparing the relative amounts of phosphoric acid1 and potash1 in an average crop of wheat1 and a good crop of clover-hay1 it will be seen that one acre of clover-hay contains as much phosphoric acid1 as two and one-half acres of wheat1 and as much potash as the produce from five acres of the same crop4 ,clover thus unquestionably removes from the land very much more mineral matter than does wheat2 wheat1 notwithstanding1 succeeds remarkably well after clover4 8,four tons of clover-hay1 or the produce of an acre1 contains1 as already stated1 #bbd lbs4 of nitrogen1 or calculated as ammonia1 #bgb lbs4 8,assuming the grain of wheat to furnish #a4gh per cent of nitrogen1 and wheat-straw1 4#fd per cent1 and assuming also that #a1ejj lbs4 of corn1 and #c1jjj lbs4 of straw1 represent the average produce per acre1 there will be in the grain of wheat1 per acre1 #bf4g lbs4 of nitrogen1 and in the straw1 #ai4b lbs41 or in both together1 #df lbs4 of nitrogen2 in round numbers1 equal to about #ee lbs4 of ammonia1 which is only about one-fifth the quantity of nitrogen in the produce of an acre of clover4 ,wheat1 it is well known1 is specially benefited by the application of nitrogenous manures1 and as clover carries off so large a quantity of nitrogen1 it is natural to expect the yield of wheat1 after clover1 to fall short of what the land might be presumed to produce without manure1 before a crop of clover was taken from it4 ,experience1 however1 has proved the fallacy of this presumption1 for the result is exactly the opposite1 inasmuch as a better and heavier crop of wheat is produced than without the intercalation of clover4 ,what1 it may be asked1 is the explanation of this apparent anomaly8 8,in taking up this inquiry1 ,i was led to pass in review the celebrated and highly important experiments1 undertaken by ,mr4 ,lawes and ,dr4 ,gilbert1 on the continued growth of wheat on the same soil1 for a long succession of years1 and to examine1 likewise carefully1 many points1 to which attention is drawn1 by the same authors in their memoirs on the growth of red clover by different manures1 and on the ,lois ,weedon plan of growing wheat4 ,abundant and most convincing evidence is supplied by these indefatigable experimenters1 that the wheat-producing powers of a soil are not increased in any sensible degree by the liberal supply of all the mineral matters1 which enter into the composition of the ash of wheat1 and that the abstraction of these mineral matters from the soil1 in any much larger proportions than can possibly take place under ordinary cultivation1 in no wise affects the yield of wheat1 provided there be at the same time a liberal supply of available nitrogen within the soil itself4 ,the amount of the latter1 therefore1 is regarded by ,messrs4 ,lawes and ,gilbert1 as the measure of the increased produce of grain which a soil furnishes4 8,in conformity with these views1 the farmer1 when he wishes to increase the yield of his wheat1 finds it to his advantage to have recourse to ammoniacal1 or other nitrogenous manures1 and depends more or less entirely upon the soil1 for the supply of the necessary mineral or ash-constituents of wheat1 having found such a supply to be amply sufficient for his requirements4 ,as far1 therefore1 as the removal from the soil of a large amount of mineral soil-constituents1 by the clover-crop1 is concerned1 the fact viewed in the light of the ,rothamsted experiments1 becomes at once intelligible2 for1 notwithstanding the abstraction of over #fjj lbs4 of mineral matter by a crop of clover1 the succeeding wheat-crop does not suffer4 ,inasmuch1 however1 as we have seen1 that not only much mineral matter is carried off the land in a crop of clover1 but also much nitrogen1 we might1 in the absence of direct evidence to the contrary1 be led to suspect that wheat1 after clover1 would not be a good crop2 whereas1 the fact is exactly the reverse4 8,it is worthy of notice1 that nitrogenous manures1 which have such a marked and beneficial effect upon wheat1 do no good1 but in certain combinations1 in some seasons1 do positive harm to clover4 ,thus1 ,messrs4 ,lawes and ,gilbert1 in a series of experiments on the growth of red-clover1 by different manures1 obtained #ad tons of fresh green produce1 equal to about three and three-fourths tons of clover hay1 from the unmanured portion of the experimental field2 and where sulphates of potash1 soda1 and magnesia1 or sulphate of potash and superphosphate of lime were employed1 #ag to #ah tons1 7equal to from about four and one-half to nearly five tons of hay71 were obtained4 ,when salts of ammonia were added to the mineral manures1 the produce of clover-hay was1 upon the whole1 less than where the mineral manures were used alone4 ,the wheat1 grown after the clover1 on the unmanured plot1 gave1 however1 #bi bushels of corn1 whilst in the adjoining field1 where wheat was grown after wheat1 without manure1 only #ae bushels of corn per acre were obtained4 ,messrs4 ,lawes and ,gilbert notice especially1 that in the clover-crop of the preceding year1 very much larger quantities1 both of mineral matters and of nitrogen1 were taken from the land1 than were removed in the unmanured wheat-crop in the same year1 in the adjoining field4 ,notwithstanding this1 the soil from which the clover had been taken1 was in a condition to yield #ad bushels more wheat1 per acre1 than that upon which wheat had been previously grown2 the yield of wheat1 after clover1 in these experiments1 being fully equal to that in another field1 where large quantities of manure were used4 8,taking all these circumstances into account1 is there not presumptive evidence1 that1 notwithstanding the removal of a large amount of nitrogen in the clover-hay1 an abundant store of available nitrogen is left in the soil1 and also that in its relations towards nitrogen in the soil1 clover differs essentially from wheat8 ,the results of our experience in the growth of the two crops1 appear to indicate that1 whereas the growth of the wheat rapidly exhausts the land of its available nitrogen1 that of clover1 on the contrary1 tends somehow or other to accumulate nitrogen within the soil itself4 ,if this can be shown to be the case1 an intelligible explanation of the fact that clover is so useful as a preparatory crop for wheat1 will be found in the circumstance1 that1 during the growth of clover1 nitrogenous food1 for which wheat is particularly grateful1 is either stored up or rendered available in the soil4 8,an explanation1 however plausible1 can hardly be accepted as correct1 if based mainly on data1 which1 although highly probable1 are not proved to be based on fact4 ,in chemical inquiries1 especially1 nothing must be taken for granted1 that has not been proved by direct experiment4 ,the following questions naturally suggest themselves in reference to this subject3 ,what is the amount of nitrogen in soils of different characters8 ,what is the amount more particularly after a good1 and after an indifferent crop of clover8 ,why is the amount of nitrogen in soils1 larger after clover1 than after wheat and other crops8 ,is the nitrogen present in a condition in which it is available and useful to wheat8 ,and lastly1 are there any other circumstances1 apart from the supply of nitrogenous matter in the soil1 which help to account for the beneficial effects of clover as a preparatory crop for wheat8 8,in order to throw some light on these questions1 and1 if possible1 to give distinct answers to at least some of them1 ,i1 years ago1 when residing at ,cirencester1 began a series of experiments2 and more recently1 ,i have been fortunate enough to obtain the co-operation of ,mr4 ,robert ,valentine1 of ,leighton ,buzzard1 who kindly undertook to supply me with materials for my analysis4 8,my first experiments were made on a thin1 calcareous1 clay soil1 resting on oolitic limestone1 and producing generally a fair crop of red-clover4 ,the clover-field formed the slope of a rather steep hillock1 and varied much in depth4 ,at the top of the hill1 the soil became very stony at a depth of four inches1 so that it could only with difficulty be excavated to a depth of six inches1 when the bare limestone-rock made its appearance4 ,at the bottom of the field the soil was much deeper1 and the clover stronger1 than at the upper part4 ,on the brow of the hill1 where the clover appeared to be strong1 a square yard was measured out2 and at a little distance off1 where the clover was very bad1 a second square yard was measured2 in both plots1 the soil being taken up to a depth of six inches4 ,the soil1 where the clover was good1 may be distinguished from the other1 by being marked as ,no4 #a1 and that where it was bad1 as ,no4 #b4 ,,clover-,,soil ,,no4 #a4 7,,good ,,clover74 8,the roots having first been shaken out to free them as much as possible from the soil1 were then washed once or twice with cold distilled water1 and1 after having been dried for a little while in the sun1 were weighed1 when the square yard produced #a lb4 #aj oz4 of cleaned clover-roots1 in an air-dry state2 an acre of land1 or #d1hdj square yards1 accordingly yielded1 in a depth of six inches1 #c4dd tons1 or #c tons in round numbers1 of clover-roots4 8,fully dried in a water-bath1 the roots were found to contain altogether #dd4fg per cent of water1 and on being burnt in a platinum capsule1 yielded #f4jhi of ash4 ,a portion of the dried1 finely powdered and well mixed roots1 was burned with soda lime1 in a combustion tube1 and the nitrogen contained in the roots otherwise determined in the usual way4 ,accordingly1 the following is the general composition of the roots from the soil ,no4 #a3 ,water #dd4fge ,organic matter99 #di4bcf ,mineral matter #f4jhi ------- #ajj4jjj 99 ,containing nitrogen #a4big ,equal to ammonia #a4ege 8,assuming the whole field to have produced #c tons of clover-roots1 per acre1 there will be #ii4fcf lbs41 or in round numbers1 #ajj lbs4 of nitrogen in the clover-roots from one acre2 or1 about twice as much nitrogen as is present in the average produce of an acre of wheat40 8,that is a remarkable fact10 said the ,deacon1 8as ,i understand nitrogen is the great thing needed by wheat1 and yet the roots alone of the clover1 contain twice as much nitrogen as an average crop of wheat4 ,go on ,charley1 it is quite interesting40 8,the soil10 continues ,dr4 ,vlcker1 8which had been separated from the roots1 was passed through a sieve to deprive it of any stones it might contain4 ,it was then partially dried1 and the nitrogen in it determined in the usual manner1 by combustion with soda-lime1 when it yielded 4#cac per cent of nitrogen1 equal to 4#ch of ammonia1 in one combustion2 and 4#cgc per cent of nitrogen1 equal to 4#df of ammonia1 in a second determination4 8,that the reader may have some idea of the character of this soil1 it may be stated1 that it was further submitted to a general analysis1 according to which1 it was found to have the following composition3 ,general ,composition of ,soil1 ,no4 #a4 7,good ,clover74 ,moisture #ah4gc ,organic matter99 #i4gb ,oxide of iron and alumina #ac4bd ,carbonate of lime #h4hb ,magnesia1 alkalies1 etc4 #a4gb ,insoluble silicious matter1 7chiefly clay7 #dg4gg ------- #ajj4jj 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#cac ,equal to ammonia 4#chj 8,the second square yard from the brow of the hill1 where the clover was bad1 produced #ac ounces of air-dry1 and partially clean roots1 or #a4ge tons per acre4 ,on analysis1 they were found to have the following composition3 ,clover-,roots1 ,no4 #b4 7,bad ,clover74 ,water #ee4gcb ,organic matter99 #ci4djh ,mineral matter1 7ash7 #d4hfj ------- #ajj4jjj 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#gib ,equal to ammonia 4#ija 8,the roots on the spot where the clover was very bad1 yielded only #ca lbs4 of nitrogen per acre1 or scarcely one-third of the quantity which was obtained from the roots where the clover was good4 8,the soil from the second square yard1 on analysis1 was found1 when freed from stones by sifting1 to contain in #ajj parts3 ,composition of ,soil1 ,no4 #b4 7,bad ,clover74 ,water #ag4bd ,organic matter99 #i4fd ,oxide of iron and alumina #aa4hi ,carbonate of lime #ad4ej ,magnesia1 alkalies1 etc4 #a4ec ,insoluble silicious matter #de4bj ------- #ajj4jj #b;d determination4 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#cjf 4#chj ,equal to ammonia 4#cgj 4#dgj 8,both portions of the clover-soil thus contained about the same percentage of organic matter1 and yielded nearly the same amount of nitrogen4 8,in addition1 however1 to the nitrogen in the clover-roots1 a good deal of nitrogen1 in the shape of root-fibres1 decayed leaves1 and similar organic matters1 was disseminated throughout the fine soil in which it occurred1 and from which it could not be separated2 but unfortunately1 ,i neglected to weigh the soil from a square yard1 and am1 therefore1 unable to state how much nitrogen per acre was present in the shape of small root-fibres and other organic matters4 8,before mentioning the details of the experiments made in the next season1 ,i will here give the composition of the ash of the partially cleaned clover-roots3 ,composition ,of ,ash ,of ,clover-,roots1 7,partially ,cleaned74 ,oxide of iron and alumina #aa4gc ,lime #ah4di ,magnesia #c4jc ,potash #f4hh ,soda #a4ic ,phosphoric acid #c4fa ,sulphuric acid #b4bd ,soluble silica #ai4ja ,insoluble silicious matter #bd4hc ,carbonic acid1 chlorine1 and loss #h4be ------ #ajj4jj 8,this ash was obtained from clover-roots1 which yielded1 when perfectly dry1 in round numbers1 eight per cent of ash4 ,clover-roots1 washed quite clean1 and separated from all soil1 yield about five per cent of ash2 but it is extremely difficult to clean a large quantity of fibrous roots from all dirt1 and the preceding analysis distinctly shows1 that the ash of the clover-roots1 analyzed by me1 was mechanically mixed with a good deal of fine soil1 for oxide of iron1 and alumina1 and insoluble silicious matter in any quantity1 are not normal constituents of plant-ashes4 ,making allowance for soil contamination1 the ash of clover-roots1 it will be noticed1 contains much lime and potash1 as well as an appreciable amount of phosphoric and sulphuric acid4 ,on the decay of the clover-roots1 these and other mineral fertilizing matters are left in the surface-soil in a readily available condition1 and in considerable proportions1 when the clover stands well4 ,although a crop of clover removes much mineral matter from the soil1 it must be borne in mind1 that its roots extract from the land1 soluble mineral fertilizing matters1 which1 on the decay of the roots1 remain in the land in a prepared and more readily available form1 than that in which they originally occur4 ,the benefits arising to wheat1 from the growth of clover1 may thus be due partly to this preparation and concentration of mineral food in the surface-soil4 8,the clover on the hillside field1 on the whole1 turned out a very good crop2 and1 as the plant stood the winter well1 and this field was left another season in clover1 without being plowed up1 ,i availed myself of the opportunity of making1 during the following season1 a number of experiments similar to those of the preceding year4 ,this time1 however1 ,i selected for examination1 a square yard of soil1 from a spot on the brow of the hill1 where the clover was thin1 and the soil itself stony at a depth of four inches2 and another plot of one square yard at the bottom of the hill1 from a place where the clover was stronger than that on the brow of the hill1 and the soil at a depth of six inches contained no large stones4 ,,soil ,,no4 #a4 7,,clover ,,thin71 ,,on ,,the ,,brow ,,of ,,the ,,hill4 8,the roots in a square yard1 six inches deep1 when picked out by hand1 and cleaned as much as possible1 weighed1 in their natural state1 #b lbs4 #aa oz42 and when dried on the top of a water-bath1 for the purpose of getting them brittle and fit for reduction into fine powder1 #a lb4 #ab oz4 #ca grains4 ,in this state they were submitted as before to analysis1 when they yielded in #ajj parts3 ,composition ,of ,clover-,roots1 ,no4 #a1 7,from ,brow ,of ,hill74 ,moisture #d4cd ,organic matter99 #bf4ec ,mineral matter #fi4ac ------- #ajj4jj 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#haf ,equal to ammonia 4#iia 8,according to these data1 an acre of land will yield three tons #ab cwts4 of nearly dry clover-roots1 and in this quantity there will be about #ff lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,the whole of the soil from which the roots have been picked out1 was passed through a half-inch sieve4 ,the stones left in the sieve weighed #ada lbs42 the soil which passed through weighing #bah lbs4 8,the soil was next dried by artificial heat1 when the #bah lbs4 became reduced to #ahe4dhg lbs4 8,in this partially dried state it contained3 ,moisture #d4ba ,organic matter99 #i4gh ,mineral matter #hf4ja ------- #ajj4jj 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#cia ,equal to ammonia 4#dge ,including phosphoric acid 4#bfd 8,i also determined the phosphoric acid in the ash of the clover-roots4 ,calculated for the roots in a nearly dry state1 the phosphoric acid amounts to 4#bhg per cent4 8,an acre of soil1 according to the data1 furnished by the six inches on the spot where the clover was thin1 produced the following quantity of nitrogen3 ,ton4 ,cwts4 ,lbs4 ,in the fine soil #a #aa #cc ,in the clover-roots #j #j #ff -- -- -- ,total quantity of nitrogen per acre #a #aa #ii 8,the organic matter in an acre of this soil1 which can not be picked out by hand1 it will be seen1 contains an enormous quantity of nitrogen2 and although1 probably1 the greater part of the roots and other remains from the clover-crop may not be decomposed so thoroughly as to yield nitrogenous food to the succeeding wheat-crop1 it can scarcely be doubted that a considerable quantity of nitrogen will become available by the time the wheat is sown1 and that one of the chief reasons why clover benefits the succeeding wheat-crop1 is to be found in the abundant supply of available nitrogenous food furnished by the decaying clover-roots and leaves4 ,,clover-,,soil ,,no4 #b1 ,,from ,,the ,,bottom ,,of ,,the ,,hill4 7,,good ,,clover47 8,a square yard of the soil from the bottom of the hill1 where the clover was stronger than on the brow of the hill1 produced #b lbs4 #h oz4 of fresh clover-roots2 or #a lb4 #aa oz4 #dg grains of partially dried roots2 #fa lbs4 #i oz4 of limestones1 and #bci4if lbs4 of nearly dry soil4 8,the partially dried roots contained3 ,moisture #e4jf ,organic matter99 #ca4id ,mineral matter #fc4jj ------- #ajj4jj 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#hjd 8,an acre of this soil1 six inches deep1 produced #c tons1 #g cwts4 #fe lbs4 of clover-roots1 containing #fa lbs4 of nitrogen2 that is1 there was very nearly the same quantity of roots and nitrogen in them1 as that furnished in the soil from the brow of the hill4 8,the roots1 moreover1 yielded 4#cfe per cent of phosphoric acid2 or1 calculated per acre1 #bg lbs4 8,in the partially dried soil1 ,i found3 ,moisture #d4gj ,organic matter99 #aj4hg ,mineral matter #hd4dc ------- #ajj4jj 99 ,containing nitrogen 4#dje ,equal to ammonia 4#dia ,including phosphoric acid 4#cba 8,according to these determinations1 an acre of soil from the bottom of the hill1 contains3 ,tons ,cwts4 ,lbs4 ,nitrogen in the organic matter of the soil #b #b #j ,nitrogen in clover-roots of the soil #j #j #fa --- --- --- ,total amount of nitrogen per acre #b #b #fa 8,compared with the amount of nitrogen in the soil from the brow of the hill1 about #aa cwt4 more nitrogen was obtained in the soil and roots from the bottom of the hill1 where the clover was more luxuriant4 8,the increased amount of nitrogen occurred in fine root-fibres and other organic matters of the soil1 and not in the coarser bits of roots which were picked out by the hand4 ,it may be assumed that the finer particles of organic matter are more readily decomposed than the coarser roots2 and as there was a larger amount of nitrogen in this than in the preceding soil1 it may be expected that the land at the bottom of the hill1 after removal of the clover1 was in a better agricultural condition for wheat1 than that on the brow of the hill40 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,,experiments ,,on ,,clover-,,soils ,,from ,,burcott ,,lodge ,,farm1 ,,leighton ,,buzzard4 8,the soils for the next experiments1 were kindly supplied to me1 in #ahff1 by ,robert ,valentine1 of ,burcott ,lodge1 who also sent me some notes respecting the growth and yield of clover-hay and seed on this soil4 8,foreign seed1 at the rate of #ab lbs4 per acre1 was sown with a crop of wheat1 which yielded five quarters per acre the previous year4 8,the first crop of clover was cut down on the #beth of ,june1 #ahff1 and carried on ,june #cjth4 ,the weather was very warm1 from the time of cutting until the clover was carted1 the thermometer standing at #hj ,fahr4 every day4 ,the clover was turned in the swath1 on the second day after it was cut2 on the fourth day1 it was turned over and put into small heaps of about #aj lbs4 each2 and on the fifth day1 these were collected into larger cocks1 and then stacked4 8,the best part of an #aa-;acre field1 produced nearly three tons of clover-hay1 sun-dried1 per acre2 the whole field yielding on an average1 #b tons per acre4 ,this result was obtained by weighing the stack three months after the clover was carted4 ,the second crop was cut on the #bast of ,august1 and carried on the #bgth1 the weight being nearly #cj cwt4 of hay per acre4 ,thus the two cuttings produced just about four tons of clover-hay per acre4 8,the #aa acres were divided into two parts4 ,about one-half was mown for hay a second time1 and the other part left for seed4 ,the produce of the second half of the #aa-;acre field1 was cut on the #hth of ,october1 and carried on the #ajth4 ,it yielded in round numbers1 #c cwt4 of clover-seed per acre1 the season being very unfavorable for clover-seed4 ,the second crop of clover1 mown for hay1 was rather too ripe1 and just beginning to show seed4 8,a square foot of soil1 #ah inches deep1 was dug from the second portion of the land which produced the clover-hay and clover-seed4 ,,soil ,,from ,,part ,,of #aa-;,,acre ,,field ,,twice ,,mown ,,for ,,hay4 8,the upper six inches of soil1 one foot square1 contained all the main roots of #ah strong plants2 the next six inches1 only small root fibres1 and in the third section1 a six-inch slice cut down at a depth of #ab inches from the surface1 no distinct fibres could be found4 ,the soil was almost completely saturated with rain when it was dug up on the #acth of ,september1 #ahff3 ,lbs4 ,the upper six inches of soil1 one foot square1 weighed #fj ,the second 0 0 0 #fa ,the third 0 0 0 #fc 8,these three portions of one foot of soil1 #ah inches deep1 were dried nearly completely1 and weighed again2 when the first six inches weighed #ea lbs42 the second six inches1 #ea lbs4 #e oz42 and the third section1 #ed lbs4 #b oz4 8,the first six inches contained #c lbs4 of silicious stones1 7flints71 which were rejected in preparing a sample for analysis2 in the two remaining sections there were no large sized stones4 ,the soils were pounded down1 and passed through a wire sieve4 8,the three layers of soil1 dried and reduced to powder1 were mixed together1 and a prepared average sample1 when submitted to analysis1 yielded the following results3 ,composition of ,clover-,soil1 #ah ,inches ,deep1 ,from ,part of #aa-;,acre ,field1 ,twice ,mown for ,hay4 ,organic matter #e4hf ,oxides of iron #f4hc ,alumina #g4ab ,carbonate of lime #b4ac ,soluble in ,magnesia #b4ja hydrochloric acid4 ,potash 4#fg ,soda 4#jh ,chloride of sodium 4#jb ,phosphoric acid 4#ah ,sulphuric acid 4#ag ,insoluble silicious matter1 #gd4fa4 ,consisting of3 ,alumina #d4cg ,lime1 7in a state of silicate7 #d4jg ,insoluble in acid ,magnesia 4#df ,potash 4#ai ,soda 4#bc ,silica #fe4bi ----- #ii4fh 8,this soil1 it will be seen1 contained1 in appreciable quantities1 not only potash and phosphoric acid1 but all the elements of fertility which enter into the composition of good arable land4 ,it may be briefly described as a stiff clay soil1 containing a sufficiency of lime1 potash1 and phosphoric acid1 to meet all the requirements of the clover-crop4 ,originally1 rather unproductive1 it has been much1 improved by deep culture2 by being smashed up into rough clods1 early in autumn1 and by being exposed in this state to the crumbling effects of the air1 it now yields good corn and forage crops4 8,in separate portions of the three layers of soil1 the proportions of nitrogen and phosphoric acid contained in each layer of six inches1 were determined and found to be as follows3 ,soil dried at #bab deg4 ,fahr4 #ast six #b;d six #c;d six inches4 inches4 inches4 ,percentage of phosphoric acid 4#bdi 4#acd 4#agb ,nitrogen #a4fb 4#jib 4#jfd ,equal to ammonia 4#aih 4#aab 4#jgh 8,in the upper six inches1 as will be seen1 the percentage of both phosphoric acid and nitrogen1 was larger than in the two following layers1 while the proportion of nitrogen in the six inches of surface soil1 was much larger than in the next six inches2 and in the third section1 containing no visible particles of root-fibres1 only very little nitrogen occurred4 8,in their natural state1 the three layers of soil contained3 #ast six #b;d six #c;d six inches4 inches4 inches4 ,moisture #ag4af #ah4bd #af4fb ,phosphoric acid 4#aih 4#aji 4#adc ,nitrogen 4#acd 4#jge 4#jec ,equal to ammonia 4#afb 4#jia 4#jfd ,lbs4 ,lbs4 ,lbs4 ,weight of one foot square of soil #fj #fa #fc 8,calculated per acre1 the absolute weight of one acre of this land1 six inches deep1 weighs3 ,lbs4 #ast six inches #b1fac1fjj #b;d six inches #b1feg1afj #c;d six inches #b1gdf1bhj 8,no great error1 therefore1 will be made1 if we assume in the subsequent calculations1 that six inches of this soil weighs two and one-half millions of pounds per acre4 8,an acre of land1 according to the preceding determinations1 contains3 #ast six #b;d six #c;d six inches1 inches1 inches1 ,lbs4 ,lbs4 ,lbs4 ,phosphoric acid #d1iej #b1gbe #c1ege ,nitrogen #c1cej #a1hge #a1cbe ,equal to ammonia #d1jej #b1bge #a1fjj 8,the proportion of phosphoric acid in six inches of surface soil1 it will be seen1 amounted to about two-tenths per cent2 a proportion of the whole soil1 so small that it may appear insufficient for the production of a good corn-crop4 ,however1 when calculated to the acre1 we find that six inches of surface soil in an acre of land1 actually contain over two tons of phosphoric acid4 ,an average crop of wheat1 assumed to be #be bushels of grain1 at #fj lbs4 per bushel1 and #c1jjj lbs4 of straw1 removes from the land on which it is grown1 #bj lbs4 of phosphoric acid4 ,the clover-soil analyzed by me1 consequently contains an amount of phosphoric acid in a depth of only six inches1 which is equal to that present in #bdg average crops of wheat2 or supposing that1 by good cultivation and in favorable seasons1 the average yield of wheat could be doubled1 and #ej bushels of grain1 at #fj lbs4 a bushel1 and #f1jjj lbs4 of straw could be raised1 #abd of such heavy wheat-crops would contain no more phosphoric acid than actually occurred in six inches of this clover-soil per acre4 8,the mere presence of such an amount of phosphoric acid in a soil1 however1 by no means proves its sufficiency for the production of so many crops of wheat2 for1 in the first place1 it can not be shown that the whole of the phosphoric acid found by analysis1 occurs in the soil in a readily available combination2 and1 in the second place1 it is quite certain that the root-fibres of the wheat-plant can not reach and pick up1 so to speak1 every particle of phosphoric acid1 even supposing it to occur in the soil in a form most conducive to #8ready assimilation by the plant4' 8,the calculation is not given in proof of a conclusion which would be manifestly absurd1 but simply as an illustration of the enormous quantity in an acre of soil six inches deep1 of a constituent forming the smaller proportions of the whole weight of an acre of soil of that limited depth4 ,it shows the existence of a practically unlimited amount of the most important mineral constituents of plants1 and clearly points out the propriety of rendering available to plants1 the natural resources of the soil in plant-food2 to draw1 in fact1 up the mineral wealth of the soil1 by thoroughly working the land1 and not leaving it unutilized as so much dead capital40 8,good10 said the ,deacon1 8that is the right doctrine40 8,the roots10 continues ,dr4 ,vlcker1 8from one square foot of soil were cleaned as much as possible1 dried completely at #bab1 and in that state weighed #bdj grains4 ,an acre consequently contained #a1dic lbs4 of dried clover-roots4 8,the clover-roots contained1 dried at #bab ,fahr41 ,organic matter99 #ha4cc ,mineral matter1 7ash7 #ah4fg ------ #ajj4jj 99 ,yielding nitrogen #a4fce ,equal to ammonia #a4ihe ,including insoluble silicious matter1 7clay and sand7 #aa4fg 8,accordingly the clover-roots in an acre of land furnished #bd lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,we have thus3 ,lbs4 of nitrogen ,in the six inches of surface soil #c1cej ,in large clover-roots #bd ,in second six inches of soil #a1hge --------- ,total amount of nitrogen in one acre of soil #ab inches deep #e1bdi ,equal to ammonia #f1cgd ,or in round numbers1 two tons six cwt4 of nitrogen per acre2 an enormous quantity1 which must have a powerful influence in encouraging the luxuriant development of the succeeding wheat-crop1 although only a fraction of the total amount of nitrogen in the clover remains may become sufficiently decomposed in time to be available to the young wheat-plants4 ,,clover-,,soil ,,from ,,part ,,of #aa-;,,acre ,,field ,,of ,,burcott ,,lodge ,,farm1 ,,leighton ,,buzzard1 ,,once ,,mown ,,for ,,hay1 ,,and ,,left ,,afterwards ,,for ,,seed4 8,produce #b tons of clover-hay1 and #c cwt4 of seed per acre4 8,this soil was obtained within a distance of five yards from the part of the field where the soil was dug up after the two cuttings of hay4 ,after the seed there was some difficulty in finding a square foot containing the same number of large clover-roots1 as that on the field twice mown2 however1 at last1 in the beginning of ,november1 a square foot containing exactly #ah strong roots1 was found and dug up to a depth of #ah inches4 ,the soil dug after the seed was much drier than that dug after the two cuttings of hay3 ,the upper six inches deep1 one foot square1 weighed #ef lbs4 ,the next 0 0 0 #eh 0 ,the third 0 0 0 #fj 0 8,after drying by exposure to hot air1 the three layers of soil weighed3 ,the upper six inches1 one foot square #di lbs4 ,the next 0 0 #ej 0 ,the third 0 0 #ea 0 8,equal portions of the dried soil from each six-inch section were mixed together and reduced to a fine powder4 ,an average sample thus prepared1 on analysis1 was found to have the following composition3 ,composition of ,clover-,soil ,once ,mown for ,hay1 and ,afterwards ,left for ,seed4 ,dried at #bab ,fahr4 ,organic matter #e4cd ,oxides of iron #f4jg ,alumina #d4ea ,carbonate of lime #g4ea ,soluble in ,magnesia #a4bg hydrochloric ,acid ,potash 4#eb ,soda 4#af ,chloride of sodium 4#jc ,phosphoric acid 4#ae ,sulphuric acid 4#ai ,insoluble silicious matter1 #gc4hd4 ,consisting of3 ,alumina #d4ad ,lime 7in a state of silicate7 #b4fi ,insoluble in acid ,magnesia 4#fh ,potash 4#bd ,soda 4#ba ,silica #fe4hh ----- #ii4ei 8,the soil1 it will be seen1 in general character1 resembles the preceding sample2 it contains a good deal of potash and phosphoric acid1 and may be presumed to be well suited to the growth of clover4 ,it contains more carbonate of lime1 and is somewhat lighter than the sample from the part of the field twice mown for hay1 and may be termed heavy calcareous clay4 8,an acre of this land1 #ah inches deep1 weighed1 when very nearly dry3 ,lbs4 ,surface1 six inches #b1djg1ijj ,next 0 #b1ddd1bjj ,third 0 #b1dhj1ejj 8,or in round numbers1 every six inches of soil weighed per acre #b millions of pounds1 which agrees tolerably well with the actual weight per acre of the preceding soil4 8,the amount of phosphoric acid and nitrogen in each six-inch layer was determined separately1 as before1 when the following results were obtained3 ,in ,dried ,soil4 ,first six ,second ,third six inches4 six inches4 inches4 ,percentage of phosphoric acid 4#aei 4#aff 4#adj ,nitrogen 4#ahi 4#acd 4#jhi ,equal to ammonia 4#bbi 4#afb 4#ajh 8,an acre1 according to these determinations1 contains in the three separate sections3 ,first six ,second ,third six inches4 six inches4 inches4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,phosphoric acid #c1ige #d1aej #c1ejj ,nitrogen #d1gbe #c1cej #b1bbe ,equal to ammonia #e1gbe #d1jej #b1gjj 8,here1 again1 as might naturally be expected1 the proportion of nitrogen is largest in the surface1 where all the decaying leaves dropped during the growth of the clover for seed are found1 and wherein root-fibres are more abundant than in the lower strata4 ,the first six inches of soil1 it will be seen1 contained in round numbers1 #b tons of nitrogen per acre1 that is1 considerably more than was found in the same section of the soil where the clover was mown twice for hay2 showing plainly1 that during the ripening of the clover seed1 the surface is much enriched by the nitrogenous matter in the dropping leaves of the clover-plant4 8,clover-roots4--,the roots from one square foot of this soil1 freed as much as possible from adhering soil1 were dried at #bab1 and when weighed and reduced to a fine powder1 gave1 on analysis1 the following results3 ,organic matter99 #fd4gf ,mineral matter #ce4bd ------- #ajj4jj 99 ,containing nitrogen #a4gjb ,equal to ammonia #b4jff ,including clay and sand 7insoluble silicious matter7 #bf4jd 8,a square foot of this soil produced #ehb grains of dried clover-roots1 consequently an acre yielded #c1fbb lbs4 of roots1 or more than twice the weight of roots obtained from the soil of the same field where the clover was twice mown for hay4 8,in round numbers1 the #c1fbb lbs4 of clover-roots from the land mown once1 and afterwards left for seed1 contained #ea lbs4 of nitrogen4 8,the roots from the soil after clover-seed1 it will be noticed1 were not so clean as the preceding sample1 nevertheless1 they yielded more nitrogen4 ,in #fd4gf of organic matter1 we have here #a4gjb of nitrogen1 whereas1 in the case of the roots from the part of the field where the clover was twice mown for hay1 we have in #ha4cc parts1 that is1 much more organic matter1 and #a4fce1 or rather less of nitrogen4 ,it is evident1 therefore1 that the organic matter in the soil after clover-seed1 occurs in a more advanced stage of decomposition1 than found in the clover-roots from the part of the field twice mown4 ,in the manure1 in which the decay of such and similar organic remains proceeds1 much of the non-nitrogenous1 or carbonaceous matters1 of which these remains chiefly1 though not entirely1 consist1 is transformed into gaseous carbonic acid1 and what remains behind1 becomes richer in nitrogen and mineral matters4 ,a parallel case1 showing the dissipation of carbonaceous matter1 and the increase in the percentage of nitrogen and mineral matter in what is left behind1 is presented to us in fresh and rotten dung2 in long or fresh dung1 the percentage of organic matter1 consisting chiefly of very imperfectly decomposed straw1 being larger1 and that of nitrogen and mineral matter smaller1 than in well-rotted dung4 8,the roots from the field after clover-seed1 it will be borne in mind1 were dug up in ,november1 whilst those obtained from the land twice mown1 were dug up in ,september2 the former1 therefore1 may be expected to be in a more advanced state of decay than the latter1 and richer in nitrogen4 8,in an acre of soil1 after clover-seed1 we have3 ,lbs4 ,nitrogen in first six inches of soil #d1gbe ,nitrogen in roots #ea ,nitrogen in second six inches of soil #c1cej ------- ,total amount of nitrogen1 per acre1 in twelve inches of soil #h1abf 8,equal to ammonia1 #i1hfg lbs43 or1 in round numbers1 #c tons and #ab cwts4 of nitrogen per acre2 equal to #d tons #h cwts4 of ammonia4 8,this is a very much larger amount of nitrogen than occurred in the other soil1 and shows plainly that the total amount of nitrogen accumulates especially in the surface-soil1 when clover is grown for seed2 thus explaining intelligibly1 as it appears to me1 why wheat1 as stated by many practical men1 succeeds better on land where clover is grown for seed1 than where it is mown for hay4 8,all the three layers of the soil1 after clover-seed1 are richer in nitrogen than the same sections of the soil where the clover was twice mown1 as will be seen by the following comparative statement of results3 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,i4 ,,ii4 ,clover-,soil twice ,clover-,soil once mown mown4 and then left for seed4 ---------------------------------------- -------- ,upper ,second ,third ,upper ,next ,lowest #f inches#f inches#f inches#f inches#f inches#f inches ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- ,percentage of nitrogen in 4#afh 4#jib 4#jfd 4#ahi 4#acd 4#jhi dried soil ,equal to ammonia 4#aih 4#aab 4#jgh 4#bbi 4#afb 4#ajh ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- 8,this difference in the amount of accumulated nitrogen in clover-land1 appears still more strikingly on comparing the total amounts of nitrogen per acre in the different sections of the two portions of the #aa-;acre field4 ,percentage of ,nitrogen ,per ,acre4 ,first six ,second ,third six inches4 six inches4 inches4 ,lbs4 ,lbs4 ,lbs4 ,i4 ,in soil1 clover twice mown99 #c1cej #a1hge #a1cbe ,,ii4 ,in soil1 clover once mown and seeded afterwards #d1gbe #c1cej #b1bbe ,equal to ammonia3 99 ,i4 ,clover twice mown #d1jej #b1bge #a1fjj ,,ii4 ,clover seeded #e1gbe #d1jej #b1gjj ,lbs4 ,i4 ,nitrogen in roots of clover twice mown #bd ,,ii4 ,nitrogen in clover1 once mown1 and grown for seed afterwards #ea ,i4 ,weight of dry roots per acre from ,soil ,i #a1dic ,,ii4 ,weight of dry roots per acre from ,soil ,,ii #c1fbb ,total amount of nitrogen in #a acre1 #ab inches deep of ,soil ,i99 #e1bdi ,total amount of nitrogen in #a acre1 #ab inches deep of ,soil ,,ii #h1abf ,excess of nitrogen in an acre of soil #ab inches deep1 calculated as ammonia in part of field1 mown once and then seeded #c1eib --------- 99 ,equal to ammonia #f1cgd ,equal to ammonia #i1hfg 8,it will be seen that not only was the amount of large clover-roots greater in the part where clover was grown for seed1 but that likewise the different layers of soil were in every instance richer in nitrogen after clover-seed1 than after clover mown twice for hay4 8,reasons are given in the beginning of this paper which it is hoped will have convinced the reader1 that the fertility of land is not so much measured by the amount of ash constituents of plants which it contains1 as by the amount of nitrogen1 which1 together with an excess of such ash constituents1 it contains in an available form4 ,it has been shown likewise1 that the removal from the soil of a large amount of mineral matter in a good clover-crop1 in conformity with many direct field experiments1 is not likely in any degree to affect the wheat-crop1 and that the yield of wheat on soils under ordinary cultivation1 according to the experience of many farmers1 and the direct and numerous experiments of ,messrs4 ,lawes and ,gilbert1 rises or falls1 other circumstances being equal1 with the supply of available nitrogenous food which is given to the wheat4 ,this being the case1 we can not doubt that the benefits arising from the growth of clover to the succeeding wheat1 are mainly due to the fact that an immense amount of nitrogenous food accumulates in the soil during the growth of clover4 8,this accumulation of nitrogenous plant-food1 specially useful to cereal crops1 is1 as shown in the preceding experiments1 much greater when clover is grown for seed1 than when it is made into hay4 ,this affords an intelligible explanation of a fact long observed by good practical men1 although denied by others who decline to accept their experience as resting upon trustworthy evidence1 because1 as they say1 land cannot become more fertile when a crop is grown upon it for seed1 which is carried off1 than when that crop is cut down and the produce consumed on the land4 ,the chemical points brought forward in the course of this inquiry1 show plainly that mere speculation as to what can take place in a soil1 and what not1 do not much advance the true theory of certain agricultural practices4 ,it is only by carefully investigating subjects like the one under consideration1 that positive proofs are given1 showing the correctness of intelligent observers in the fields4 ,many years ago1 ,i made a great many experiments relative to the chemistry of farm-yard manure1 and then showed1 amongst other particulars1 that manure1 spread at once on the land1 need not there and then be plowed in1 inasmuch as neither a broiling sun1 nor a sweeping and drying wind will cause the slightest loss of ammonia2 and that1 therefore1 the old-fashioned farmer who carts his manure on the land as soon as he can1 and spreads it at once1 but who plows it in at his convenience1 acts in perfect accordance with correct chemical principles involved in the management of farm-yard manure4 ,on the present occasion1 my main object has been to show1 not merely by reasoning on the subject1 but by actual experiments1 that the larger the amounts of nitrogen1 potash1 soda1 lime1 phosphoric acid1 etc41 which are removed from the land in a clover-crop1 the better it is1 nevertheless1 made thereby for producing in the succeeding year an abundant crop of wheat1 other circumstances being favorable to its growth4 8,indeed1 no kind of manure can be compared in point of efficacy for wheat1 to the manuring which the land gets in a really good crop of clover4 ,the farmer who wishes to derive the full benefit from his clover-lay1 should plow it up for wheat as soon as possible in the autumn1 and leave it in a rough state as long as is admissible1 in order that the air may find free access into the land1 and the organic remains left in so much abundance in a good crop of clover be changed into plant-food2 more especially1 in other words1 in order that the crude nitrogenous organic matter in the clover-roots and decaying leaves1 may have time to become transformed into ammoniacal compounds1 and these1 in the course of time1 into nitrates1 which ,i am strongly inclined to think is the form in which nitrogen is assimilated1 par excellence by cereal crops1 and in which1 at all events1 it is more efficacious than in any other state of combination wherein it may be used as a fertilizer4 8,when the clover-lay is plowed up early1 the decay of the clover is sufficiently advanced by the time the young wheat-plant stands in need of readily available nitrogenous food1 and this being uniformly distributed through the whole of the cultivated soil1 is ready to benefit every single plant4 ,this equal and abundant distribution of food1 peculiarly valuable to cereals1 is a great advantage1 and speaks strongly in favor of clover as a preparatory crop for wheat4 8,nitrate of soda1 an excellent spring top-dressing for wheat and cereals in general1 in some seasons fails to produce as good an effect as in others4 ,in very dry springs1 the rainfall is not sufficient to wash it properly into the soil and to distribute it equally1 and in very wet seasons it is apt to be washed either into the drains or into a stratum of the soil not accessible to the roots of the young wheat4 ,as1 therefore1 the character of the approaching season can not usually be predicted1 the application of nitrate of soda to wheat is always attended with more or less uncertainty4 8,the case is different1 when a good crop of clover-hay has been obtained from the land on which wheat is intended to be grown afterwards4 ,an enormous quantity of nitrogenous organic matter1 as we have seen1 is left in the land after the removal of the clover-crop2 and these remains gradually decay and furnish ammonia1 which at first and during the colder months of the year1 is retained by the well known absorbing properties which all good wheat-soils possess4 ,in spring1 when warmer weather sets in1 and the wheat begins to make a push1 these ammonia compounds in the soil are by degrees oxidized into nitrates2 and as this change into food peculiarly favorable to young cereal plants1 proceeds slowly but steadily1 we have in the soil itself1 after clover1 a source from which nitrates are continuously produced2 so that it does not much affect the final yield of wheat1 whether heavy rains remove some or all of the nitrate present in the soil4 ,the clover remains thus afford a more continuous source from which nitrates are produced1 and greater certainty for a good crop of wheat than when recourse is had to nitrogenous top-dressings in the spring4 ,,summary4 8,the following are some of the chief points of interest which ,i have endeavored fully to develope in the preceding pages3 8#a4 ,a good crop of clover removes from the soil more potash1 phosphoric acid1 lime1 and other mineral matters1 which enter into the composition of the ashes of our cultivated crops1 than any other crop usually grown in this country4 8#b4 ,there is fully three times as much nitrogen in a crop of clover as in the average produce of the grain and straw of wheat per acre4 8#c4 ,notwithstanding the large amount of nitrogenous matter and of ash-constituents of plants1 in the produce of an acre1 clover is an excellent preparatory crop for wheat4 8#d4 ,during the growth of clover1 a large amount of nitrogenous matter accumulates in the soil4 8#e4 ,this accumulation1 which is greatest in the surface soil1 is due to decaying leaves dropped during the growth of clover1 and to an abundance of roots1 containing1 when dry1 from one and three-fourths to two per cent of nitrogen4 8#f4 ,the clover-roots are stronger and more numerous1 and more leaves fall on the ground when clover is grown for seed1 than when it is mown for hay2 in consequence1 more nitrogen is left after clover-seed1 than after hay1 which accounts for wheat yielding a better crop after clover-seed than after hay4 8#g4 ,the development of roots being checked1 when the produce1 in a green condition1 is fed off by sheep1 in all probability1 leaves still less nitrogenous matter in the soil than when clover is allowed to get riper and is mown for hay2 thus1 no doubt1 accounting for the observation made by practical men1 that1 notwithstanding the return of the produce in the sheep excrements1 wheat is generally stronger1 and yields better1 after clover mown for hay1 than when the clover is fed off green by sheep4 8#h4 ,the nitrogenous matters in the clover remains1 on their gradual decay1 are finally transformed into nitrates1 thus affording a continuous source of food on which cereal crops specially delight to grow4 8#i4 ,there is strong presumptive evidence that the nitrogen which exists in the air1 in shape of ammonia and nitric acid1 and descends1 in these combinations1 with the rain which falls on the ground1 satisfies1 under ordinary circumstances1 the requirements of the clover-crop4 ,this crop causes a large accumulation of nitrogenous matters1 which are gradually changed in the soil into nitrates4 ,the atmosphere thus furnishes nitrogenous food to the succeeding wheat indirectly1 and1 so to say1 gratis4 8#aj4 ,clover not only provides abundance of nitrogenous food1 but delivers this food in a readily available form 7as nitrates71 more gradually and continuously1 and1 consequently1 with more certainty of a good result1 than such food can be applied to the land in the shape of nitrogenous spring top-dressings40 8,thank you ,charley10 said the ,doctor1 8that is the most remarkable paper ,i ever listened to4 ,i do not quite know what to think of it4 ,we shall have to examine it carefully40 8,the first three propositions in the ,summary10 said ,i1 8are unquestionably true4 ,proposition ,no4 #d1 is equally true1 but we must be careful what meaning we attach to the word #8accumulate4' ,the idea is1 that clover gathers up the nitrogen in the soil4 ,it does not increase the absolute amount of nitrogen4 ,it accumulates it--brings it together4 8,proposition ,no4 #e1 will not be disputed2 and ,i think we may accept ,no4 #f1 also1 though we can not be sure that allowing clover to go to seed1 had anything to do with the increased quantity of clover-roots4 8,proposition ,no4 #g1 may or may not be true4 ,we have no proof1 only a #8probability2' and the same may be said in regard to propositions ,nos4 #h1 #i1 and #aj40 ,the ,deacon seemed uneasy4 ,he did not like these remarks4 ,he had got the impression1 while ,charley was reading1 that much more was proved than ,dr4 ,vlcker claims in his ,summary4 8,i thought10 said he1 8that on the part of the field where the clover was allowed to go to seed1 ,dr4 ,vlcker found a great increase in the amount of nitrogen40 8,that seems to be the general impression10 said the ,doctor1 8but in point of fact1 we have no proof that the growth of clover1 either for hay or for seed1 had anything to do with the quantity of nitrogen and phosphoric acid found in the soil4 ,the facts given by ,dr4 ,vlcker1 are exceedingly interesting4 ,let us look at them3 8,a field of #aa acres was sown to winter-wheat1 and seeded down in the spring1 with #ac lbs4 per acre of clover4 ,the wheat yielded #dj bushels per acre4 ,the next year1 on the #beth of ,june1 the clover was mown for hay4 ,we are told that #8the best part of the field yielded three tons 7#f1gbj lbs47 of clover-hay per acre2 the whole field averaging #b tons 7#e1fjj lbs47 per acre4' 8,we are not informed how much land there was of the #8best part1' but assuming that it was half the field1 the poorer part must have yielded only #d1dhj lbs4 of hay per acre1 or only two-thirds as much as the other4 ,this shows that there was considerable difference in the quality or condition of the land4 8,after the field was mown for hay1 it was divided into two parts3 one part was mown again for hay1 ,august #bast1 and yielded about #cj cwt4 7#c1cfj lbs47 of hay per acre2 the other half was allowed to grow six or seven weeks longer1 and was then 7,october #hth71 cut for seed4 ,the yield was a little over #e bushels of seed per acre4 ,whether the clover allowed to grow for seed1 was on the richer or poorer half of the field1 we are not informed4 8,dr4 ,vlcker then analyzed the soil4 ,that from the part of the field mown twice for hay1 contained per acre3 ,first six ,second six ,third six ,total1 #ah inches4 inches4 inches4 inches deep4 ,phosphoric acid #d1iej #b1gbe #c1ege #aa1bej ,nitrogen #c1cej #a1hge #a1cbe #f1eej 8,the soil from the part mown once for hay1 and then for seed1 contained per acre3 ,first six ,second six ,third six ,total1 #ah inches4 inches4 inches4 inches deep4 ,phosphoric acid #c1ige #d1aej #c1ejj #aa1fbe ,nitrogen #d1gbe #c1cej #b1bbe #aj1cjj 8,dr4 ,vlcker also ascertained the amount and composition of the clover-roots growing in the soil on the two parts of the field4 ,on the part mown twice for hay1 the roots contained per acre #bd lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,on the part mown once for hay1 and then for seed1 the roots contained #ea lbs4 of nitrogen per acre40 8,now10 said the ,doctor1 8these facts are very interesting1 but there is no sort of evidence tending to show that the clover has anything to do with increasing or decreasing the quantity of nitrogen or phosphoric acid found in the soil40 8,there was more clover-roots per acre1 where the clover was allowed to go to seed4 ,but that may be because the soil happened to be richer on this part of the field4 ,there was1 in the first six inches of the soil1 #c1cej lbs4 of nitrogen per acre1 on one-half of the field1 and #d1gbe lbs4 on the other half2 and it is not at all surprising that on the latter half there should be a greater growth of clover and clover-roots4 ,to suppose that during the six or seven weeks while the clover was maturing its seed1 the clover-plants could accumulate #a1cge lbs4 of nitrogen1 is absurd40 8,but ,dr4 ,vlcker10 said the ,deacon1 8states1 and states truly1 that #8more leaves fall on the ground when clover is grown for seed1 than when it is mown for hay2 and1 consequently1 more nitrogen is left after clover-seed than after hay1 which accounts for wheat yielding a better crop after clover-seed than after hay4'0 8,this is all true10 said the ,doctor1 8but we can not accept ,dr4 ,vlcker's analyses as proving it4 ,to account in this way for the #a1cge lbs4 of nitrogen1 we should have to suppose that the clover-plants1 in going to seed1 shed one hundred tons of dry clover-leaves per acre6 ,the truth of the matter seems to be1 that the part of the field on which the clover was allowed to go to seed1 was naturally much richer than the other part1 and consequently produced a greater growth of clover and clover-roots40 ,we can not find anything in these experiments tending to show that we can make land rich by growing clover and selling the crop4 ,the analyses of the soil show that in the first eighteen inches of the surface-soil1 there was #f1eej lbs4 of nitrogen per acre1 on one part of the field1 and #aj1cjj lbs4 on the other part4 ,the clover did not create this nitrogen1 or bring it from the atmosphere4 ,the wheat with which the clover was seeded down1 yielded #dj bushels per acre4 ,if the field had been sown to wheat again1 it probably would not have yielded over #be bushels per acre--and that for want of available nitrogen4 ,and yet the clover got nitrogen enough for over four tons of clover-hay2 or as much nitrogen as a crop of wheat of #abe bushels per acre1 and #g tons of straw would remove from the land4 ,now what does this prove8 ,there was1 in #ah inches of the soil on the poorest part of the field1 #f1eej lbs4 of nitrogen per acre4 ,a crop of wheat of #ej bushels per acre1 and twice that weight of straw1 would require about #ib lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,but the wheat can not get this amount from the soil1 while the clover can get double the quantity4 ,and the only explanation ,i can give1 is1 that the clover-roots can take up nitrogen from a weaker solution in the soil than wheat-roots can4 8,these experiments of ,dr4 ,vlcker10 said ,i1 8give me great encouragement4 ,here is a soil1 #8originally rather unproductive1 but much improved by deep culture2 by being smashed up into rough clods early in autumn1 and by being exposed in this state to the crumbling effects of the air4' ,it now produces #dj bushels of wheat per acre1 and part of the field yielded three tons of clover-hay1 per acre1 the first cutting1 and #e bushels of clover-seed afterwards--and that in a very unfavorable season for clover-seed40 ,you will find that the farmers in ,england do not expect to make their land rich1 by growing clover and selling the produce4 ,after they have got their land rich1 by good cultivation1 and the liberal use of animal and artificial manures1 they may expect a good crop of wheat from the roots of the clover4 ,but they take good care to feed out the clover itself on the farm1 in connection with turnips and oil-cake1 and thus make rich manure4 ,and so it is in this country4 ,much as we hear about the value of clover for manure1 even those who extol it the highest do not depend upon it alone for bringing up and maintaining the fertility of their farms4 ,the men who raise the largest crops and make the most money by farming1 do not sell clover-hay4 ,they do not look to the roots of the clover for making a poor soil rich4 ,they are1 to a man1 good cultivators4 ,they work their land thoroughly and kill the weeds4 ,they keep good stock1 and feed liberally1 and make good manure4 ,they use lime1 ashes1 and plaster1 and are glad to draw manure from the cities and villages1 and muck from the swamps1 and not a few of them buy artificial manures4 ,in the hands of such farmers1 clover is a grand renovating crop4 ,it gathers up the fertility of the soil1 and the roots alone of a large crop1 often furnish food enough for a good crop of corn1 potatoes1 or wheat4 ,but if your land was not in good heart to start with1 you would not get the large crop of clover2 and if you depend on the clover-roots alone1 the time is not far distant when your large crops of clover will be things of the past4 ,,amount ,,of ,,roots ,,left ,,in ,,the ,,soil ,,by ,,different ,,crops4 8,we have seen that ,dr4 ,vlcker made four separate determinations of the amount of clover-roots left in the soil to the depth of six inches4 ,it may be well to tabulate the figures obtained3 ,clover-,roots1 in ,six ,inches of ,soil1 ,per ,acre4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,air-dry ,nitrogen ,phosphoric roots1 in roots1acid in per acre4per acre4roots1 per acre4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- #ast ,year4 ,no4 #a4 ,good ,clover from brow #ggje #ajj of the hill 0 #b4 ,bad 0 0 0 #cibj #ca 0 0 0 #b;d ,year4 0 #c4 ,good ,clover from bottom #gefi #fa #bg of the field 0 #d4 ,thin 0 0 brow #hjfd #ff 0 0 hill 0 #e4;,heavy crop of first-year clover mown twice for hay #bd 0 #f4;,heavy crop of first-year clover mown once for hay1 #ea and then for seed 0 #g4;,german experiment1 #aj inches deep #hiba #aia #gd ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,i have not much confidence in experiments of this kind4 ,it is so easy to make a little mistake2 and when you take only a square foot of land1 as was the case with ,nos4 #e and #f1 the mistake is multiplied by #dc1efj4 ,still1 ,i give the table for what it is worth4 ,nos4 #a and #b are from a one-year-old crop of clover4 ,the field was a calcareous clay soil4 ,it was somewhat hilly2 or1 perhaps1 what we here1 in ,western ,new ,york1 should call 8rolling land40 ,the soil on the brow of the hill1 8was very stony at a depth of four inches1 so that it could only with difficulty be excavated to six inches1 when the bare limestone-rock made its appearance40 ,a square yard was selected on this shallow soil1 where the clover was good2 and the roots1 air-dried1 weighed at the rate of #g1gje lbs4 per acre1 and contained #ajj lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,a few yards distance1 on the same soil1 where the clover was bad1 the acre of roots contained only #ca lbs4 of nitrogen per acre4 ,so far1 so good4 ,we can well understand this result4 ,chemistry has little to do with it4 ,there was a good stand of clover on the one plot1 and a poor one on the other4 ,and the conclusion to be drawn from it is1 that it is well worth our while to try to secure a good catch of clover4 8,but1 suppose10 said the ,doctor1 8,no4 #b had happened to have been pastured by sheep1 and ,no4 #a allowed to go to seed1 what magic there would have been in the above figures60 ,nos4 #c and #d are from the same field1 the second year4 ,no4 #d is from a square yard of thin clover on the brow of the hill1 and ,no4 #c1 from the richer1 deeper land towards the bottom of the hill4 ,there is very little difference between them4 ,the roots of thin clover from the brow of the hill1 contain five lbs4 more nitrogen per acre1 than the roots on the deeper soil4 ,if we can depend on the figures1 we may conclude that on our poor stony 8knolls10 the clover has larger and longer roots than on the richer parts of the field4 ,we know that roots will run long distances and great depths in search of food and water4 ,nos4 #e and #f are from a heavy crop of one-year-old clover4 ,no4 #e was mown twice for hay1 producing1 in the two cuttings1 over four tons of hay per acre4 ,no4 #f was in the same field1 the only difference being that the clover1 instead of being cut the second time for hay1 was allowed to stand a few weeks longer to ripen its seed4 ,you will see that the latter has more roots than the former4 ,there are #bd lbs4 of nitrogen per acre in the one case1 and #ea lbs4 in the other4 ,how far this is due to difference in the condition of the land1 or to the difficulties in the way of getting out all the roots from the square yard1 is a matter of conjecture4 ,truth to tell1 ,i have very little confidence in any of these figures4 ,it will be observed that ,i have put at the bottom of the table1 the result of an examination made in ,germany4 ,in this case1 the nitrogen in the roots of an acre of clover1 amounted to #aia lbs4 per acre4 ,if we can depend on the figures1 we must conclude that there were nearly eight times as much clover-roots per acre in the ,german field1 as in the remarkably heavy crop of clover in the ,english field ,no4 #e4 8,yes10 said the ,deacon1 8but the one was #aj inches deep1 and the other only six inches deep2 and besides1 the ,german experiment includes the #8stubble' with the roots40 ,the ,deacon is right2 and it will be well to give the complete table1 as published in the ,american ,agriculturist3 ,table ,showing the ,amount of ,roots and ,stubble ,left ,per ,acre by ,different ,crops1 and the ,amount of ,ingredients ,which ,they ,contain ,per ,acre4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,no4 of lbs4 of stubble roots ,no4 of lbs4 7dry7 per acre ,no4 of lbs4 of ash1 free to a depth of of ,nitrogen from carbonic #aj inches4 per acre4 acid1 per acre4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,lucern 7#d years old7 #i1fgh4a #acf4d #a1bja4f ,red-,clover 7#a year old17 #h1iba4f #aia4f #a1iai4i ,esparsette 7#c years old7 #e1icj4i #abc4b #a1jbc4d ,rye #e1bfd4f #fe4c #a1gdg4h ,swedish ,clover #e1jjd4c #ajb4c #igd4f ,rape #d1dgg4 #ef4e #fbb4c ,oats #c1cca4i #bf4f #a1ddd4g ,lupine #c1ebj4i #fb4b #eej4 ,wheat #c1dgf4 #bc4e #a1jhi4h ,peas #c1bbb4e #ee4f #fgj4g ,serradella #c1abj4a #fd4h #ede4f ,buckwheat #b1aie4f #dg4i #dfe4e ,barley #a1iia4d #bb4h #cia4a ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,contents of the ,ashes1 in ,pounds1 ,per ,acre4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,lime4 ,magnesia4,potash4 ,soda4 ,sulphuric,phosphoric ,acid4 ,acid4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,lucern #aig4g #bd4b #cf4g #bf4d #ah4g #ch4e ,red-,clover #bfb4i #dh4d #eh4c #bj4j #bf4a #gd4h ,esparsette #acb4h #bh4g #db4f #ac4h #bj4f #bi4g ,rye #gc4b #ad4c #ca4b #dc4c #aa4h #bd4d ,swedish ,clover #acf4a #ag4f #be4i #e4g #ac4b #bd4b ,rape #afc4i #ab4i #cd4g #bj4i #cj4h #ca4i ,oats #he4e #aa4b #bd4h #ah4 #h4h #bi4 ,lupine #hj4e #aa4b #af4e #c4e #g4 #ac4h ,wheat #gf4g #aj4a #bh4d #aa4 #g4d #aa4h ,peas #ga4g #aa4 #aa4b #g4 #i4d #ad4c ,serradella #gi4h #ac4d #h4h #d4h #i4 #ah4d ,buckwheat #hj4 #g4b #h4h #d4b #f4f #aa4 ,barley #db4b #e4e #i4e #c4e #e4e #aa4b ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,it may be presumed1 that1 while these figures are not absolutely1 they are relatively1 correct4 ,in other words1 we may conclude1 that red-clover leaves more nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 in the roots and stubble per acre1 than any other of the crops named4 ,the gross amount of dry substance in the roots1 and the gross amount of ash per acre1 are considerably exaggerated1 owing to the evidently large quantity of dirt attached to the roots and stubble4 ,for instance1 the gross amount of ash in ,lucern is given as #a1bja4f lbs4 per acre2 while the total amount of lime1 magnesia1 potash1 soda1 sulphuric and phosphoric acids1 is only #cdb4b lbs4 per acre1 leaving #hei4d lbs4 as sand1 clay1 iron1 etc4 ,of the #a1iai4i lbs4 of ash in the acre of clover-roots and stubble1 there are #a1dbi4d lbs4 of sand1 clay1 etc4 ,but even after deducting this amount of impurities from a gross total of dry matter per acre1 we still have #g1dib4b lbs4 of dry roots and stubble per acre1 or nearly #c tons of dry roots per acre4 ,this is a very large quantity4 ,it is as much dry matter as is contained in #ac tons of ordinary farm-yard1 or stable-manure4 ,and these #c tons of dry clover-roots contain #aia lbs4 of nitrogen1 which is as much as is contained in #ai tons of ordinary stable-manure4 ,the clover-roots also contain #gd lbs4 of phosphoric acid per acre1 or as much as is contained in from #ejj to #fjj lbs4 of ,no4 #a rectified ,peruvian guano4 8,but the phosphoric acid10 said the ,doctor1 8is not soluble in the roots40 ,true1 but it was soluble when the roots gathered it up out of the soil4 8,these figures10 said the ,deacon1 8have a very pleasant look4 ,those of us who have nearly one-quarter of our land in clover every year1 ought to be making our farms very rich40 8,it would seem1 at any rate10 said ,i1 8that those of us who have good1 clean1 well-drained1 and well-worked land1 that is now producing a good growth of clover1 may reasonably expect a fair crop of wheat1 barley1 oats1 corn1 or potatoes1 when we break it up and plow under all the roots1 which are equal to #ac or #ai tons of stable-manure per acre4 ,whether we can or can not depend on these figures1 one thing is clearly proven1 both by the chemist and the farmer1 that a good clover-sod1 on well-worked soil1 is a good preparation for corn and potatoes40 ,,manures ,,for ,,wheat4 ,probably nine-tenths of all the wheat grown in ,western ,new ,york1 or the 8,genesee country10 from the time the land was first cleared until #ahgj1 was raised without any manure being directly applied to the land for this crop4 ,tillage and clover were what the farmers depended on4 ,there certainly has been no systematic manuring4 ,the manure made during the winter1 was drawn out in the spring1 and plowed under for corn4 ,any manure made during the summer1 in the yards1 was1 by the best farmers1 scraped up and spread on portions of the land sown1 or to be sown1 with wheat4 ,even so good a farmer and wheat-grower as ,john ,johnston1 rarely used manure1 7except lime1 and latterly1 a little guano71 directly for wheat4 ,clover and summer-fallowing were for many years the dependence of the ,western ,new ,york wheat-growers4 8,one of the oldest and most experienced millers of ,western ,new ,york10 remarked the ,doctor1 8once told me that #8ever since our farmers began to manure their land1 the wheat-crop had deteriorated1 not only in the yield per acre1 but in the quality and quantity of the flour obtained from it4' ,it seemed a strange remark to make2 but when he explained that the farmers had given up summer-fallowing and plowing in clover1 and now sow spring crops1 to be followed by winter wheat with an occasional dressing of poor manure1 it is easy to see how it may be true40 8,yes10 said ,i1 8it is not the manure that hurts the wheat1 but the growth of spring crops and weeds that rob the soil of far more plant-food than the poor1 strawy manure can supply4 ,we do not now1 really1 furnish the wheat-crop as much manure or plant-food as we formerly did when little or no manure was used1 and when we depended on summer-fallowing and plowing in clover40 ,we must either give up the practice of sowing a spring crop1 before wheat1 or we must make more and richer manure1 or we must plow in more clover4 ,the rotation1 which many of us now adopt--corn1 barley1 wheat--is profitable1 provided we can make our land rich enough to produce #ge bushels of shelled corn1 #ej bushels of barley1 and #ce bushels of wheat1 per acre1 in three years4 ,this can be done1 but we shall either require a number of acres of rich low land1 or irrigated meadow1 the produce of which will make manure for the upland1 or we shall have to purchase oil-cake1 bran1 malt-combs1 or refuse beans1 to feed out with our straw and clover-hay1 or we must purchase artificial manures4 ,unless this is done1 we must summer-fallow more1 on the heavier clay soils1 sow less oats and barley2 or we must1 on the lighter soils1 raise and plow under more clover1 or feed it out on the farm1 being careful to save and apply the manure4 8,better do both10 said the ,doctor4 8,how80 asked the ,deacon4 8,you had better make all the manure you can10 continued the ,doctor1 8and buy artificial manures besides40 8,the ,doctor is right10 said ,i1 8and in point of fact1 our best farmers are doing this very thing4 ,they are making more manure and buying more manure than ever before2 or1 to state the matter correctly1 they are buying artificial manures2 and these increase the crops1 and the extra quantity of straw1 corn1 and clover1 so obtained1 enables them to make more manure4 ,they get cheated sometimes in their purchases2 but1 on the whole1 the movement is a good one1 and will result in a higher and better system of farming40 ,i am amused at the interest and enthusiasm manifested by some of our farmers who have used artificial manures for a year or two4 ,they seem to regard me as a sad old fogy1 because ,i am now depending almost entirely on the manures made on the farm4 ,years ago1 ,i was laughed at because ,i used guano and superphosphate4 ,it was only yesterday1 that a young farmer1 who is the local agent of this neighborhood1 for a manure manufacturer1 remarked to me1 8,you have never used superphosphate4 ,we sowed it on our wheat last year1 and could see to the very drill mark how far it went4 ,i would like to take your order for a ton4 ,i am sure it would pay40 8,we are making manure cheaper than you can sell it to me10 ,i replied1 8and besides1 ,i do not think superphosphate is a good manure for wheat40 --8,oh10 he exclaimed1 8you would not say so if you had ever used it40 --8,why1 my dear sir10 said ,i1 8,i made tons of superphosphate1 and used large quantities of guano before you were born2 and if you will come into the house1 ,i will show you a silver goblet ,i got for a prize essay on the use of superphosphate of lime1 that ,i wrote more than a quarter of a century ago4 ,i sent to ,new ,york for two tons of guano1 and published the result of its use on this farm1 before you were out of your cradle4 ,and ,i had a ton or more of superphosphate made for me in #ahef1 and some before that4 ,i have also used on this farm1 many tons of superphosphate and other artificial manures from different manufacturers1 and one year ,i used #ae tons of bone-dust40 ,with ready tact1 he turned the tables on me by saying3 8,now ,i can understand why your land is improving4 ,it is because you have used superphosphate and bone-dust4 ,order a few tons40 ,by employing agents of this kind1 the manufacturers have succeeded in selling the farmers of ,western ,new ,york thousands of tons of superphosphate4 ,some farmers think it pays1 and some that it does not4 ,we are more likely to hear of the successes than of failures4 ,still there can be no doubt that superphosphate has1 in many instances1 proved a valuable and profitable manure for wheat in ,western ,new ,york4 ,from #bjj to #cjj lbs4 are used per acre1 and the evidence seems to show that it is far better to drill in the manure with the seed than to sow it broadcast4 ,my own opinion is1 that these superphosphates are not the most economical artificial manures that could be used for wheat4 ,they contain too little nitrogen4 ,peruvian guano containing nitrogen equal to #aj per cent of ammonia1 would be1 ,i think1 a much more effective and profitable manure4 ,but before we discuss this question1 it will be necessary to study the results of actual experiments in the use of various fertilizers for wheat4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,,lawes ,,and ,,gilbert',s ,,experiments ,,on ,,wheat4 ,i hardly know how to commence an account of the wonderful experiments made at ,rothamsted1 ,england1 by ,john ,bennett ,lawes1 ,esq41 and ,dr4 ,joseph ,h4 ,gilbert4 ,mr4 ,lawes' first systematic experiment on wheat1 commenced in the autumn of #ahdc4 ,a field of #ad acres of rather heavy clay soil1 resting on chalk1 was selected for the purpose4 ,nineteen plots were accurately measured and staked off4 ,the plots ran the long way of the field1 and up a slight ascent4 ,on each side of the field1 alongside the plots1 there was some land not included1 the first year1 in the experiment proper4 ,this land was either left without manure1 or a mixture of the manures used in the experiments was sown on it4 ,i have heard it said that ,mr4 ,lawes1 at this time1 was a believer in what was called 8,liebig's ,mineral ,manure ,theory40 ,liebig had said that 8,the crops on a field1 diminish or increase in exact proportion to the diminution or increase of the mineral substances conveyed to it in manure40 ,and enthusiastic gentlemen have been known to tell farmers who were engaged in drawing out farm-yard manure to their land1 that they were wasting their strength2 all they needed was the mineral elements of the manure4 8,and you might10 they said1 8burn your manure1 and sow the ashes1 and thus save much time and labor4 ,the ashes will do just as much good as the manure itself40 ,whether ,mr4 ,lawes did1 or did not entertain such an opinion1 ,i do not know4 ,it looks as though the experiments the first year or two1 were made with the expectation that mineral manures1 or the ashes of plants1 were what the wheat needed4 ,the following table gives the kind and quantities of manures used per acre1 and the yield of wheat per acre1 as carefully cleaned for market4 ,also the total weight of grain per acre1 and the weight of straw and chaff per acre4 ,experiments at ,rothamsted on the ,growth of ,wheat1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land4 ,table #a4--,manures ,and ,produce2 #ast ,season1 #ahdc-d4 ,manures and ,seed 7,old ,red ,lammas7 ,sown ,autumn #ahdc4 ,manures3 ,,fm ,farmyard ,manure4 ,,fma ,farmyard ,manure ,ashes4#a ,si,p ,silicate of ,potass4#b ,ph,p ,phosphate of ,potass4#c ,ph,s ,phosphate of ,soda4#c ,ph,m ,phosphate of ,magnesia4#c ,,spl ,superphosphate of ,lime4#c ,s,am ,sulphate of ,ammonia4 ,,rc ,rape ,cake4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- ,p ,manures per ,acre4 l ---------------------------------------- ----------- o t s ,,fm ,,fma ,si,p ,ph,p ,ph,s ,ph,m ,,spl ,,sa ,,rc ---------------------------------------- -------------- ,tons4,cwts4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j ,mixture of the residue of most of the other manures4 #a 44 44 44 44 44 44 #gjj 44 #aed #b #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #c ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #d 44 #cba 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #e 44 44 44 44 44 44 #gjj 44 44 #f 44 44 44 44 44 #dbj #cej 44 44 #g 44 44 44 44 #cbe 44 #cej 44 44 #h 44 44 44 #cge 44 44 #cej 44 44 #i 44 44 44 44 44 44 #fcj #fe 44 #aj 44 44 #bbj 44 44 44 #efj 44 44 #aa 44 44 44 44 44 44 #cej 44 #cjh #ab 44 44 44 44 #afb #baj #cej 44 44 #ac 44 44 44 #ahg 44 #baj #cej 44 44 #ad 44 44 #bge 44 44 #baj #cej 44 44 #ae 44 44 #aaj #aej 44 #afh #cej 44 44 #af 44 44 #aaj #ge #fe #hd #cej #fe 44 #ag 44 44 #aaj #ge #fe #hd #cejd #fe 44 #ah 44 44 #aaj #ge #fe #hd #cej #fe #aed #ai 44 44 #aaj 44 #ha #aje #cej #ha 44 #bj ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba ,mixture of the residue of most of the 44 44 44 #bb other manures4 44 44 44 44 44 44 ---------------------------------------- -------------- ,produce3 ,wt_/,bu ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,oc ,offal ,corn4#e ,c ,corn4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,s,c ,straw and ,chaff4 ,,tp ,total ,produce4 ,,tp ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw74 ,c#ajj ,corn to #ajj ,straw4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,increase per ,produce per ,acre1 etc4 ,acre by ,manure4 ,p ---------------------------------------- -------------- l ,dressed corn4 o -------------- t ,qty4#e ,wt_/,bu ,,oc ,,tc ,s,c ,,tp ,c ,s,c ,,tp ,c#ajj s ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,bu4 ,pks4lbs4 lbs4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4lbs4 #ai #c #eh4e #fa #abbh #adcf #bffd #cje #caf #fba #he4e #j #af #c #ei4j #eb #ajdj #abjc #bbdc #aag #hc #bjj #hf4d #a #bj #a #ei4c #fd #abgf #adgf #bgeb #cec #cef #gji #hf4d #b #ae #j #eh4e #df #ibc #aabj #bjdc 44 44 44 #hb4d #c #ad #b #eh4j #dd #hhh #aajd #aiib -#ce -#af -#ea #hj4d #d #ae #b #eh4c #dh #ief #aaaf #bjgb #cc -#d #bi #he4f #e #ae #a #fj4j #dh #ifd #aajj #bjfd #da -#bj #ba #hg4f #f #ae #b #fj4c #di #ihd #aagb #baef #fa #eb #aac #hd4j #g #ae #j #fa4c #di #ihj #aafj #badj #eg #dj #ig #hd4e #h #ai #b #fb4c #ed #abhj #acfh #bjdh #ceg #bdh #fje #ic4e #i #ae #a #fb4j #ej #ajjh #aaab #babj #he -#h #gg #ij4f #aj #ag #j #fa4h #ef #aaaf #abjj #bcaf #aic #hj #bgc #ic4j #aa #ae #b #fa4e #ej #ajjd #aaaf #babj #ha -#d #gg #ij4j #ab #af #a #fb4e #ed #ajgb #abjd #bbgf #adi #hd #bcc #hi4j #ac #ae #c #fa4c #ea #ajaf #aagf #baib #ic #ef #adi #hf4d #ad #af #c #fb4j #eh #ajif #abdj #bccf #agc #abj #bic #hh4d #ae #ai #c #fb4e #fe #acjd #adhj #bghd #cha #cfj #gda #hh4a #af #ah #c #fb4c #fb #abdj #adbb #bffb #cag #cjb #fai #hg4b #ag #bj #c #fb4j #fc #acfh #agfh #cacf #dae #fah #ajic #gg4d #ah #bd #a #fa4h #gi #aehj #aggb #cceb #feg #feb #acji #hi4b #ai 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bb ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,note #a3 ,the farmyard dung was burnt slowly in a heap in the open air to an imperfect or coaly ash1 and #cb cwts4 of ash represent #ad tons of dung4 ,note #b3 ,the silicate of potass was manufactured at a glass-house1 by fusing equal parts of pearl-ash and sand4 ,the product was a transparent glass1 slightly deliquescent in the air1 which was ground to a powder under edge-stones4 ,note #c3 ,the manures termed superphosphate of lime1 phosphate of potass1 phosphate of soda1 and phosphate of magnesia1 were made by acting upon bone-ash by means of sulphuric acid in the first instance1 and in the case-of the alkali salts and the magnesian one neutralizing the compound thus obtained by means of cheap preparations of the respective bases4 ,for the superphosphate of lime1 the proportions were #e parts bone-ash1 #c parts water1 and #c parts sulphuric acid of sp4 gr4 #a4hd2 and for the phosphates of potass1 soda1 and magnesia1 they were #d parts bone-ash1 water as needed1 #c parts sulphuric acid of sp4 gr4 #a4hd1 and equivalent amounts1 respectively1 of pearl-ash1 soda-ash1 or a mixture of #a part medicinal carbonate of magnesia1 and #d parts magnesian limestone4 ,the mixtures1 of course1 all lost weight considerably by the evolution of water and carbonic acid4 ,note #d3 ,made with unburnt bones4 ,note #e3 ,in this first season1 neither the weight nor the measure of the offal corn was recorded separately2 and in former papers1 the bushels and pecks of total corn 7including offal7 have erroneously been given as dressed corn4 ,to bring the records more in conformity with those relating to the other years1 #e per cent1 by weight1 has been deducted from the total corn previously stated as dressed corn1 and is recorded as offal corn2 this being about the probable proportion1 judging from the character of the season1 the bulk of the crop1 and the weight per bushel of the dressed corn4 ,although not strictly correct1 the statements of dressed corn1 as amended in this somewhat arbitrary way1 will approximate more nearly to the truth1 and be more comparable with those relating to other seasons1 than those hitherto recorded4 ,these were the results of the harvest of #ahdd4 ,the first year of these since celebrated experiments4 ,if ,mr4 ,lawes expected that the crops would be in proportion to the minerals supplied in the manure1 he must have been greatly disappointed4 ,the plot without manure of any kind1 gave #ae bushels of wheat per acre2 #gjj lbs4 of superphosphate of lime1 made from burnt bones1 produced only #ch lbs4 or about half a bushel more grain per acre1 and #d lbs4 less straw than was obtained without manure4 #fdj lbs4 of superphosphate1 and #fe lbs4 of commercial sulphate of ammonia 7equal to about #ad lbs4 of ammonia71 gave a little over #ai bushels of dressed wheat per acre4 ,as compared with the plot having #gjj lbs4 of superphosphate per acre1 this #ad lbs4 of available ammonia per acre1 or1 say #aa lbs4 nitrogen1 gave an increase of #cbd lbs4 of grain1 and #beb lbs4 of straw1 or a total increase of #egf lbs4 of grain and straw4 ,on plot ,no4 #ai1 #ha lbs4 of sulphate ammonia1 with minerals1 produces #bd bushels per acre4 ,this yield is clearly due to the ammonia4 ,the rape-cake contains about #e per cent of nitrogen1 and is also rich in minerals and carbonaceous matter4 ,it gives an increase1 but not as large in proportion to the nitrogen furnished1 as the sulphate of ammonia4 ,and the same remarks apply to the #ad tons of farm-yard manure4 ,we should have expected a greater increase from such a liberal dressing of barn-yard manure4 ,i think the explanation is this3 ,the manure had not been piled4 ,it was probably taken out fresh from the yard 7this1 at any rate1 was the case when ,i was at ,rothamsted71 and plowed under late in the season4 ,and on this heavy land1 manure will lie buried in the soil for months1 or1 if undisturbed1 for years1 without decomposition4 ,in other words1 while this #ad tons of barn-yard manure1 contained at least #aej lbs4 of nitrogen1 and a large quantity of minerals and carbonaceous matter1 it did not produce a bushel per acre more than a manure containing less than #ab lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,and on plot #ai1 a manure containing less than #ae lbs4 of available nitrogen1 produced nearly #d bushels per acre more wheat than the barn-yard manure containing at least ten times as much nitrogen4 ,there can be but one explanation of this fact4 ,the nitrogen in the manure lay dormant in this heavy soil4 ,had it been a light sandy soil1 it would have decomposed more rapidly and produced a better effect4 ,as we have before stated1 ,john ,johnston finds1 on his clay-land1 a far greater effect from manure spread on the surface1 where it decomposes rapidly1 than when the manure is plowed under4 ,the ,deacon was looking at the figures in the table1 and not paying much attention to our talk4 8,what could a man be thinking about10 he said1 8to burn #ad tons of good manure6 ,it was a great waste1 and ,i am glad the ashes did no sort of good40 ,after the wheat was harvested in #ahdd1 the land was immediately plowed1 harrowed1 etc42 and in a few weeks was plowed again and sown to wheat1 the different plots being kept separate1 as before4 ,the following table shows the manures used this second year1 and the yield per acre3 ,experiments at ,rothamsted on the ,growth of ,wheat1 ,year ,after ,year1 on ,the ,same ,land4 ,table ,,ii4--,manures and ,produce2 #bnd ,season1 #ahde4 ,manures and ,seed 7,old ,red ,lammas7 ,sown ,march #ahde4 ,manures3 ,,fm ,farmyard ,manure4 ,si,p ,silicate of ,potass4#a ,ph,p ,phosphate of ,potass4#b ,,spl ,superphosphate of ,lime4#b ,b-,a ,bone-ash4 ,m,ac ,muriatic ,acid4 ,g ,guano4 ,s,am ,sulphate of ,ammonia4 ,m,am ,muriate of ,ammonia4 ,c,am ,carbonate of ,ammonia4 ,,rc ,rape ,cake4 ,t ,tapioca4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ,p ,manures per ,acre4 l ---------------------------------------- ----------------- o t s ,,fm ,si,p,ph,p ,,spl ,b-,a ,m,ac ,g ,s,am ,m,am ,c,am ,,rc ,t ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,tons4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4lbs4 #j ,mixture of the residue of most of the other manures4 #a 44 #aab 44 44 44 44 44 #bbd 44 44 #efj 44 #b #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #c ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #d 44 44 44 44 #aab #aab 44 #aab 44 44 44 44 #eda ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bebc 44 44 #f 44 44 44 #aab 44 44 44 #aab 44 44 #efj 44 #g 44 44 44 #aab 44 44 44 #aab 44 44 44 #efj #h 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #aab 44 44 #efj 44 #i 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #afheaffe 44 44 44 #aj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #afhfafhf 44 44 44 #aa 44 44 44 #bhj 44 44 44 #bbd 44 44 #efj 44 #ab 44 44 #bhj 44 44 44 44 #bbd 44 44 44 44 #ac 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ccfg 44 44 44 44 44 #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 #fgbh 44 44 44 44 44 #ae 44 44 44 44 #bbd #bbd 44 #bbd 44 44 44 44 #af 44 44 44 #bbd 44 44 44 #ef #ef 44 #efj 44 #ag 44 44 44 #bbd 44 44 44 #aab #aab 44 #bhj 44 #ah 44 44 44 #ccf 44 44 44 #aab #aab 44 44 44 #ai 44 44 44 44 #aab #aab 44 #aab 44 44 #cij 44 #bj ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba,mixture of the residue of most of the 44 44 44 44 44 #bb other manures4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,produce3 ,wt_/,bu ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,oc ,offal ,corn4#e ,c ,corn4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,s,c ,straw and ,chaff4 ,,tp ,total ,produce4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw74 ,,ocd ,offal ,corn to #ajj ,dressed4 ,c#ajj ,corn to #ajj ,straw4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- ,increase per ,produce per ,acre1 etc4 ,acre by ,manure4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ----- l ,dressed corn4 o ------------- ,,tp t ,qty4#e ,wt_/,bu ,,oc ,,tc ,s,c ,,tp ,c ,s,c ,c,s ,,ocd ,c#ajj s ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,bu4 ,pks4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs lbs4lbs4 #cb #j #ef4e #aei #aifgciggeidd #ebf #abfeagiaaj4i #di4e #j #bf #a #ed4h #bdh #afhicfiiechh #bdh #ihgabceag4c #de4g #a #cb #j #ef4h #aea #aifgciaeehhb #ebf #abjcagbi #h4i #ej4b #b #bc #j #ef4e #aca #addabgabdaec 44 44 44 #h4g #ec4a #c #bi #b #eh4j #afa #ahgicffceedb #dch #ieaachi #i4d #ea4c #d #bb #b #eg4e #acd #adcabfhddaae -#aj -#bh -#chaj4a #ec4cae #bf #c #eg4c #aij #agcbceiiecca #bia #hhgaaghad4b #dh4ab #bh #b #eg4h #bad #ahgacfddeeae #dcj #icbacfbad4a #eg4c #f #bf #b #eg4j #afa #afhbcbdcdibe #bda #eca #ggbaa4c #ea4i #g #bg #j #ef4c #afd #agafcffcecgi #bge #ieaabbfad4j #df4i #h #cc #a #eh4c #ahg #bacadjehfahi #fij #acdfbjcfaj4b #eb4e #i #ca #c #ef4c #aia #aihjdbfffbaf #eci #aeedbjicab4c #df4d #aj #cj #c #ef4j #aeh #ahhjdajaeiha #dci #acibahcaaa4c #de4h #aa #bh #b #ee4h #bfd #ahdbdacdeigf #dja #adbbahbcag4h #dd4e #ab #be #j #ef4c #aeb #aeehcceediac #aag #fdc #gfjab4j #df4d #ac #bg #a #eg4e #agf #agdccfifedci #cjb #ihaabhfaf4b #dg4a #ad #cb #c #eg4c #bji #bajcdjddfadg #ffb #accbaiidaa4h #eb4j #ae #cb #b #ef4c #ahb #bjbhdaiafbai #ehg #adgibjffaa4a #dh4d #af #cb #j #ee4h #bii #bjicchbfeiai #feb #aaadagffae4b #ed4g #ag #cc #a #ef4e #ahj #bidhchaichfg #fjg #aajgagadaa4b #ec4f #ah #cd #c #eg4j #acc #baaddbaefcbi #fgc #aejcbagf #i4a #ej4b #ai #bd #b #ef4j #aac #adiecajddeii #ed #cib #ddf #i4g #dh4b #bj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bb ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,note #a3 ,the silicate of potass was manufactured at a glass-house1 by fusing equal parts of pearl-ash and sand4 ,the product was a transparent glass1 slightly deliquescent in the air2 it was ground to powder under edge-stones4 ,note #b3 ,the manures termed superphosphate of lime and phosphate of potass1 were made by acting upon bone-ash by means of sulphuric acid1 and in the case of the potass salt neutralizing the compound thus obtained1 by means of pearl-ash4 ,for the superphosphate of lime1 the proportions were1 #e parts bone-ash1 #c parts water1 and #c parts sulphuric acid of sp4 gr4 #a4hd2 and for the phosphate of potass1 #d parts bone ash1 water as needed1 #c parts sulphuric acid of sp4 gr4 #a4hd2 and an equivalent amount of pearl-ash4 ,the mixtures1 of course1 lost weight considerably by the evolution of water and carbonic acid4 ,note #c3 ,the medicinal carbonate of ammonia2 it was dissolved in water and top-dressed4 ,note #d3 ,plot #e1 was #b lands wide 7in after years1 respectively1 #e;a and #e;b72 #e4a consisting of #b alternate one-fourth lengths across both lands1 and #e4b of the #b remaining one-fourth lengths4 ,note #e3 ,top-dressed at once4 ,note #f3 ,top-dressed at #d intervals4 ,note #g3 ,peruvian4 ,note #h3 ,ichaboe4 ,the season of #ahde was more favorable for wheat1 than that of #ahdd1 and the crops on all the plots were better4 ,on plot ,no4 #c1 which had no manure last year1 or this1 the yield is #bc bushels per acre1 against #ae bushels last year4 ,last year1 the #ad tons of barn-yard manure gave an increase of only #e bushels per acre4 ,this year it gives an increase of nearly #i bushels per acre4 8,do you mean10 said the ,deacon1 8that this plot1 ,no4 #b1 had #ad tons of manure in #ahdd1 and #ad tons of manure again in #ahde80 8,precisely that1 ,deacon10 said ,i1 8and this same plot has received this amount of manure every year since1 up to the present time--for these same experiments are still continued from year to year at ,rothamsted40 8,it is poor farming10 said the ,deacon1 8and ,i should think the land would get too rich to grow wheat40 8,it is not so10 said ,i1 8and the fact is an interesting one1 and teaches a most important lesson1 of which1 more hereafter40 ,plot #e1 last year1 received #gjj lbs4 of superphosphate per acre4 ,this year1 this plot was divided2 one half was left without manure1 and the other dressed with #beb lbs4 of pure carbonate of ammonia per acre4 ,the half without manure1 7#e;a71 did not produce quite as much grain and straw as the plot which had received no manure for two years in succession4 ,but the wheat was of better quality1 weighing #a lb4 more per bushel than the other4 ,still it is sufficiently evident that superphosphate of lime did no good so far as increasing the growth was concerned1 either the first year it was applied1 or the year following4 ,the carbonate of ammonia was dissolved in water and sprinkled over the growing wheat at three different times during the spring4 ,you see this manure1 which contains no mineral matter at all1 gives an increase of nearly #d bushels of grain per acre1 and an increase of #hhg lbs4 of straw4 8,wait a moment10 said the ,deacon1 8is not #hhg lbs4 of straw to #d bushels of grain an unusually large proportion of straw to grain8 ,i have heard you say that #ajj lbs4 of straw to each bushel of wheat is about the average4 ,and according to this experiment1 the carbonate of ammonia produced over #bjj lbs4 of straw to a bushel of grain4 ,how do you account for this40 8,it is a general rule10 said ,i1 8that the heavier the crop1 the greater is the proportion of straw to grain4 ,on the no-manure plot1 we have1 this year1 #aah lbs4 of straw to a bushel of dressed grain4 ,taking this as the standard1 you will find that the increase from manures is proportionally greater in straw than in grain4 ,thus in the increase of barn-yard manure1 this year1 we have about #acc lbs4 of straw to a bushel of grain4 ,i do not believe there is any manure that will give us a large crop of grain without a still larger crop of straw4 ,there is considerable difference1 in this respect1 between different varieties of wheat4 ,still1 ,i like to see a good growth of straw40 8,it is curious10 said the ,doctor1 8that #c cwt4 of ammonia-salts alone on plots #i and #aj should produce as much wheat as was obtained from plot #b1 where #ad tons of barn-yard manure had been applied two years in succession4 ,i notice that on one plot1 the ammonia-salts were applied at once1 in the spring1 while on the other plot they were sown at four different times--and that the former gave the best results40 ,the only conclusion to be drawn from this1 is1 that it is desirable to apply the manure early in the spring--or better still1 in the autumn4 8,you are a great advocate of ,peruvian guano10 said the ,deacon1 8and yet #c cwt4 of ,peruvian guano on ,plot #ac1 only produced an increase of two bushels and #fdc lbs4 of straw per acre4 ,the guano at #fj per ton1 would cost #i4jj per acre4 ,this will not pay40 ,this is an unusually small increase4 ,the reason1 probably1 is to be found in the fact that the manure and seed were not sown until ,march1 instead of in the autumn4 ,the salts of ammonia are quite soluble and act quickly2 while the ,peruvian guano has to decompose in the soil1 and consequently needs to be applied earlier1 especially on clay land4 8,i do not want you10 said the ,deacon1 8to dodge the question why an application of #ad tons of farmyard-manure per acre1 every year for over thirty years1 does not make the land too rich for wheat40 8,possibly10 said ,i1 8on light1 sandy soil1 such an annual dressing of manure would in the course of a few years make the land too rich for wheat4 ,but on a clayey soil1 such is evidently not the case4 ,and the fact is a very important one4 ,when we apply manure1 our object should be to make it as available as possible4 ,nature preserves or conserves the food of plants4 ,the object of agriculture is to use the food of plants for our own advantage40 8,please be a little more definite10 said the ,deacon1 8for ,i must confess ,i do not quite see the significance of your remarks40 8,what he means10 said the ,doctor1 8is this3 ,if you put a quantity of soluble and available manure on land1 and do not sow any crop1 the manure will not be wasted4 ,the soil will retain it4 ,it will change it from a soluble into a comparatively insoluble form4 ,had a crop been sown the first year1 the manure would do far more good than it will the next year1 and yet it may be that none of the manure is lost4 ,it is merely locked up in the soil in such a form as will prevent it from running to waste4 ,if it was not for this principle1 our lands would have been long ago exhausted of all their available plant-food40 8,i think ,i understand10 said the ,deacon2 8but if what you say is true1 it upsets many of our old notions4 ,we have thought it desirable to plow under manure1 in order to prevent the ammonia from escaping4 ,you claim1 ,i believe1 that there is little danger of any loss from spreading manure on the surface1 and ,i suppose you would have us conclude that we make a mistake in plowing it under1 as the soil renders it insoluble40 8,it depends a good deal10 said ,i1 8on the character of the soil4 ,a light1 sandy soil will not preserve manure like a clay soil4 ,but it is undoubtedly true that our aim in all cases should be to apply manure in such a form and to such a crop as will give us the greatest immediate benefit4 ,plowing under fresh manure every year for wheat is evidently not the best way to get the greatest benefit from it4 ,but this is not the place to discuss this matter4 ,let us look at the result of ,mr4 ,lawes' experiments on wheat the third year30 ,experiments at ,rothamsted on the ,growth of ,wheat1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land4 ,table ,,iii4--,manures and ,produce2 #crd ,season1 #ahde-f4 ,manures and ,seed 7,old ,red ,lammas71 ,sown ,autumn1 #ahde4 ,manures ,,fm ,farmyard ,manure4 ,a#c,w ,ash from #c loads 7#c1hhh lbs47 ,wheat-straw4 ,,lwm ,liebig's ,wheat-manure4 ,,pg ,peruvian ,guano4 ,,spl ,superphosphate of ,lime4 ,si,p ,silicate of ,potass4#a ,p-,a ,pearl-ash4 ,s-,a ,soda-ash4 ,,mls ,magnesian ,lime-stone4 ,b-,a ,bone-ash4 ,s,ac ,sulphuric ,acid 7,sp4 gr4 #a-g47 ,m,ac ,muriatic ,acid4 ,s,am ,sulphate of ,ammonia4 ,m,am ,muriate of ,ammonia4 ,,rc ,rape-,cake4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,manures per ,acre4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ----------- l o ,,spl t ----------- s ,,fm ,a#c,w ,,lwm,,pg ,si,p,p-,a,s-,a,,mls,b-,a,s,ac,m,ac ,s,am ,m,am,,rc ---------------------------------------- -------------- ,tons4lbs4 lbslbsbs4lbslbslbslbslbslbslbs4 lbslbs #j 44 44 44#ccf 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#bbd 44 44 44 44 44 #b #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #c ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #d 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#bbd 44#bbd #bbd 44 44 #e;a#a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #b 44,straw44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#bbda 44 44 #e;b#a 44 ,ash 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#ddh #b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#bbda 44#ddh #f;a 44 44 #ddh 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #f;b 44 44 #ddh 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #aab #aab 44 #g;a 44 44 #ddh 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#ddh #g;b 44 44 #ddh 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #aab #aabddh #h;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#bbd 44 44 44 44#ddh #h;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#bbd 44 44 #aab #aab 44 #i;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#ddh #i;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bbd 44#ddh #aj;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bbd 44 44 #aj;b ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #aa;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#bbdbbd 44 44 44#ddh #aa;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#bbdbbd 44 #aab #aab 44 #ab;a 44 44 44 44 44 44#ahj 44#bbdbbd 44 44 44#ddh #ab;b 44 44 44 44 44 44#ahj 44#bbdbbd 44 #aab #aab 44 #ac;a 44 44 44 44 44#bjj 44 44#bbdbbd 44 44 44#ddh #ac;b 44 44 44 44 44#bjj 44 44#bbdbbd 44 #aab #aab 44 #ad;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #hdbbdbbd 44 44 44#ddh #ad;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #hdbbdbbd 44 #aab #aab 44 #ae;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#bbd 44#bbd #bbd 44#ddh #ae;b 44 44 44 44#bbd 44 44 44#bbd 44#bbd #bbd 44#ddh #af;a 44 44 44 44 44 #fg #fj #hdbbdbbd 44 44 44#ddh #af;b 44 44 44 44 44 #fg #fj #hdbbdbbd 44 #bbd 44#ddh #ag;a 44 44 44 44 44 #fg #fj #hdbbdbbd 44 #aab #aaddh #ag;b 44 44 44 44 44 #fg #fj #hdbbdbbd 44 #bbd 44 44 #ah;a 44 44 44 44 44 #fg #fj #hdbbdbbd 44 #aab #aa 44 #ah;b 44 44 44 44 44 #fg #fj #hdbbdbbd 44 44 44 44 #ai 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44#aab 44#aab #aab 44#ddh #bj #ba ,mixture of the residue of 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bb most of the other manures4 ---------------------------------------- -------------- ,produce3 ,wt_/,bu ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,oc ,offal ,corn4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,s,c ,straw and ,chaff4 ,,tp ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw74 ,c ,corn4 ,,tp ,total ,produce4 ,,ocd ,offal ,corn to #ajj ,dressed4 ,c#ajj ,corn to #ajj ,straw4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,increase per ,produce per ,acre1 etc4 ,acre by ,manure4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ------ l ,dressed ,corn4 o ------------- t ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu ,,oc ,,tc ,s,c ,,tp ,c ,s,c ,,tp ,,ocd ,c#ajj s ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,bu4 ,pks4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #bh #a #fb4c #acd #aijfbefaddfg #fii #ajdh #agdg #g4c #gd4d #j #bb #j #fb4f #abj #aejiaieccdfb #cjb #ddj #gdb #h4a #gg4c #a #bg #j #fc4j #aac #ahbfbdeddbhj #fai #ida #aefj #f4f #gd4d #b #ag #c #fc4h #fd #abjgaeacbgbj 44 44 44 #g4d #gi4g #c #be #c #fc4e #acj #agggbcijdafg #egj #hgg #addg #g4h #gd4c #d #ai #j #fc4g #hg #acjeaedabhdf #ih #bh #abf 44 #hd4f #ae;a #bg #j #fc4j #abf #ahbgbcjidacf #fbj #gif #adaf 44 #gi4a #b #bc #b #fc4d #ajj #aeihagbaccai #cia #bjh #eii 44 #ib4h #ae;b #cj #j #fc4c #afe #bjgfbijadigg #hfi #achh #bbeg 44 #ga4f #b #bj #a #fc4g #ajb #adjjafgfcjgf #aic #afc #cef #g4j #hc4f #f;a #bi #j #fc4e #aad #aifgbegadech #gfj #ajeh #ahah #e4c #gf4e #f;b #bb #c #fc4j #ig #aecdaifhcejb #cbg #dje #gcb #f4h #gg4i #g;a #ca #c #fc4d #aej #bafccjjgeagj #ief #adid #bdej #g4e #gb4f #g;b #bb #c #fc4e #aja #aediaifcceab #cdb #dej #gib #g4a #gh4i #h;a #bi #j #fc4f #acb #aihhbegedefc #gha #ajfb #ahdc #g4b #gg4b #h;b #bc #b #fc4j #abb #afadbjcccfdg #djg #ebj #ibg #g4i #gi4d #i;a #bh #c #fc4c #aad #aidbbfjcdede #gce #ajij #ahbe #g4j #gd4f #i;b #bg #a #fc4f #aji #ahejbbdddjid #fdc #gca #acgd #f4d #hb4d #aj;a #ag #b #fc4h #ib #abafadeebfga #i -#eh -#di #g4h #hc4f #aj;b #bc #a #fc4c #ade #afbhbacccgfa #dba #fbj #ajda #i4h #gf4c #aa;a #cj #j #fc4b #aee #bjeebgaedggj #hdh #abjb #bjej #f4a #ge4g #aa;b #bd #a #fc4j #abe #affabafcchbd #ded #fej #aajd #g4i #gf4h #ab;a #bh #b #fc4d #acf #aieebeeddeji #gdh #ajda #aghi #g4d #gf4e #ab;b #bd #j #fc4e #acf #affjbcbgcihg #dec #had #abfg #i4a #ga4c #ac;a #bi #a #fc4b #ach #aiihbgeedgec #gia #abdb #bjcc #g4c #gb4e #ac;b #bc #b #fc4j #aag #afjebjcacfcf #cih #eah #iaf #g4g #gi4j #ad;a #bf #b #fc4d #abd #ahabbecddcef #fje #ajba #afbf #g4d #ga4e #ad;b #ca #a #fb4e #adg #baabbicfejdh #ije #adbc #bcbh #g4e #ga4i #ae;a #bg #b #fc4j #aag #ahfabeacdcgd #fed #ajjj #afed #e4i #gd4j #ae;b #bc #c #fb4e #ajh #aeibbifgcfei #che #eed #ici #g4j #gg4j #af;a #cj #a #fb4g #abb #bjaibhcfdhee #hab #acbc #bace #f4f #ga4b #af;b #cc #b #fb4h #abi #bbdacbgheeaiajcd #agfe #bgii #e4h #fh4c #ag;a #cj #b #fc4j #aac #bjcdbghddhah #hbg #abga #bjih #e4i #gc4j #ag;b #ca #j #fb4h #ajc #bjdhbhchdhhf #hda #acbe #baff #e4a #gb4b #ah;a #ba #a #fb4j #aeg #adgdahicccfg #bfg #chj #fdg #f4f #gg4a #ah;b #bh #c #fb4j #ajg #ahhibdbedcad #fhb #iab #aeid #e4h #gg4i #ai #bj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba #bb ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,note #a3 ,top-dressed in the ,spring4 ,this year1 the seed and manures were sown in the autumn4 ,and ,i want the ,deacon to look at plot #j4 #c cwt4 of ,peruvian guano here gives an increase of #aj bushels of wheat1 and #a1idh lbs4 of straw per acre4 ,this will pay well1 even on the wheat alone4 ,but in addition to this1 we may expect1 in our ordinary rotation of crops1 a far better crop of clover where the guano was used4 ,in regard to some of the results this year1 ,messrs4 ,lawes and ,gilbert have the following concise and interesting remarks3 8,at this third experimental harvest1 we have on the continuously unmanured plot1 namely1 ,no4 #c1 not quite #ah bushels of dressed corn1 as the normal produce of the season2 and by its side we have on plot #aj;b--comprising one-half of the plot #aj of the previous years1 and so highly manured by ammoniacal salts in #ahde1 but now unmanured--rather more than #ag bushels4 ,the near approach1 again1 to identity of result from the two unmanured plots1 at once gives confidence in the accuracy of the experiments1 and shows us how effectually the preceding crop had1 in a practical point of view1 reduced the plots1 previously so differently circumstanced both as to manure and produce1 to something like an uniform standard as regards their grain-producing qualities4 8,plot #b has1 as before1 #ad tons of farm-yard manure1 and the produce is #bg bushels1 or between #i and #aj bushels more than without manure of any kind4 8,on plot #aj;a1 which in the previous year gave by ammoniacal salts alone1 a produce equal to that of the farm-yard manure1 we have again a similar result3 for two cwts4 of sulphate of ammonia has now given #a1hej lbs4 of total corn1 instead of #a1hbf lbs41 which is the produce on plot #b4 ,the straw of the latter1 is1 however1 slightly heavier than that by the ammoniacal salt4 8,again1 plot #e;a1 which was in the previous season unmanured1 was now subdivided3 on one-half of it 7namely1 #e;a#a7 we have the ashes of wheat-straw alone1 by which there is an increase of rather more than one bushel per acre of dressed corn2 on the other half 7or #e;a#b7 we have1 besides the straw-ashes1 two cwts4 of sulphate of ammonia put on as a top-dressing3 two cwts4 of sulphate of ammonia have1 in this case1 only increased the produce beyond that of #e;a#a by #g bushels of corn and #gfh lbs4 of straw1 instead of by #i bushels of corn and #ghi lbs4 of straw1 which was the increase obtained by the same amount of ammoniacal salt on #aj;a1 as compared with #aj;b4 8,it will be observed1 however1 that in the former case the ammoniacal salts were top-dressed1 but in the latter they were drilled at the time of sowing the seed2 and it will be remembered that in #ahde the result was better as to corn on plot #i1 where the salts were sown earlier1 than on plot #aj1 where the top-dressing extended far into the spring4 ,we have had several direct instances of this kind in our experience1 and we would give it as a suggestion1 in most cases applicable1 that manures for wheat1 and especially ammoniacal ones1 should be applied before or at the time the seed is sown2 for1 although the apparent luxuriance of the crop is greater1 and the produce of straw really heavier1 by spring rather than autumn sowings of ,peruvian guano and other ammoniacal manures1 yet we believe that that of the corn will not be increased in an equivalent degree4 ,indeed1 the success of the crop undoubtedly depends very materially on the progress of the underground growth during the winter months2 and this again1 other things being equal1 upon the quantity of available nitrogenous constituents within the soil1 without a liberal provision of which1 the range of the fibrous feeders of the plant will not be such1 as to take up the minerals which the soil is competent to supply1 and in such quantity as will be required during the after progress of the plant for its healthy and favorable growth40 ,these remarks are very suggestive and deserve special attention4 8,the next result to be noticed10 continue ,messrs4 ,lawes and ,gilbert1 8is that obtained on plot #f1 now also divided into two equal portions designated respectively #f;a and #f;b4 ,plot ,no4 #f had for the crop of #ahdd1 superphosphate of lime and the phosphate of magnesia manure1 and for that of #ahde1 superphosphate of lime1 rape-cake1 and ammoniacal salts4 ,for this1 the third season1 it was devoted to the trial of the wheat-manure manufactured under the sanction of ,professor ,liebig1 and patented in this country4 8,upon plots #f;a1 four cwts4 per acre of the patent wheat-manure were used1 which gave #bj bushels1 or rather more than two bushels beyond the produce of the unmanured plot2 but as the manure contained1 besides the minerals peculiar to it1 some nitrogenous compounds1 giving off a very perceptible odor of ammonia1 some1 at least1 of the increase would be due to that substance4 ,on plot #f;b1 however1 the further addition of one cwt4 each of sulphate and muriate of ammonia to this so-called #8,mineral ,manure1' gives a produce of #bi bushels4 ,in other words1 the addition of ammoniacal salt1 to ,liebig's mineral manure has increased the produce by very nearly #i bushels per acre beyond that of the mineral manure alone1 whilst the increase obtained over the unmanured plot1 by #ad tons of farm-yard manure1 was only #i bushels6 ,the following table gives the results of the experiments the fourth year1 #ahdf-g4 ,experiments at ,rothamsted on the ,growth of ,wheat1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land4 ,table ,,iv4--,manures and ,produce2 #dth ,season1 #ahdf-g4 ,manures and ,seed 7,old ,red ,lammas71 ,sown ,end of ,october1 #ahdf4 ,manures ,,fm ,farm-yard ,manure4 ,,pg ,peruvian ,guano4 ,b-,a ,bone-ash4 ,s,ac ,sulphuric ,acid 7,sp4 gr4 #a-g47 ,m,ac ,muriatic ,acid4 ,s,am ,sulphate of ,ammonia4 ,m,am ,muriate of ,ammonia4 ,r ,rice4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------- ,manures per ,acre4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ----------- l ,superphosphate o of ,lime t ------------------ s ,,fm ,,pg ,b-,a ,s,ac ,m,ac ,s,am ,m,am ,r ---------------------------------------- -------------- ,tons4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j 44 #ejj 44 44 44 44 44 44 #a 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cej #ej 44 #b #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #c ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 #d 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 44 #e;a 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aej #aej 44 #e;b 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aej #aej #ejj #f;a 44 44 44 44 44 #aej #aej 44 #f;b 44 44 44 44 44 #aej #aej 44 #g;a 44 44 44 44 44 #aej #aej 44 #g;b 44 44 44 44 44 #aej #aej 44 #h;a 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aej #aej #ejj #h;b 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #i;a#a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bbdj #b 44 44 44 44 44 #aej #aej 44 #i;b 44 44 44 44 44 #aej #aej 44 #aj;a 44 44 44 44 44 #aej #aej 44 #aj;b 44 44 44 44 44 #aej #aej 44 #aa;a 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #aa;b 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ab;a 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ab;b 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ac;a 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ac;b 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ad;a 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ad;b 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ae;a 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 #ejj #ae;b 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 #ejj #af;a 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #af;b 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ag;a 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ag;b 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ah;a 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ah;b 44 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #aej #aej 44 #ai 44 44 #ajj 44 #ajj #cjj 44 #ejj #bj ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba ,mixture of the residue of most of the 44 44 #bb other manures4 44 44 ---------------------------------------- -------------- ,produce ,wt_/,bu ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,oc ,offal ,corn4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,s,c ,straw and ,chaff4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw47 ,c ,corn4 ,,tp ,total ,produce4 ,,ocd ,offal ,corn to #ajj ,dressed4 ,c#ajj ,corn to #ajj ,straw4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,increase per ,produce per ,acre1 c4 ,acre ,by ,manure4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ------ l ,dressed ,corn4 o ------------- ,,tp t ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu ,,oc ,,tc ,s,c ,c,s ,c ,s,c ,,tp ,,ocd ,c#ajj s ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,bu4 ,pks4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #cj #b #fa4a #aefbjcacbgg #ecjh #ijh #acge #bbhc #h4b #fa4i #j #cb #a #fa4b #adgbaaicgce #ehed #iif #ahcc #bhbi #g4b #ef4g #a #bi #c #fb4c #aagaihacfbh #efji #heh #agbf #behd #f4b #ed4f #b #af #c #fa4j #ieaabcaijb #cjbe 44 44 44 #h4i #ei4j #c #bg #a #fa4i #hbaghjbidh #dgbh #feg #ajdf #agjc #d4g #fj4c #d #bi #j #fa4h #acjaibacdab #eccc #gih #aeaj #bcji #g4a #ef4c #e;a #cb #b #fa4d #acfbacbcgba #ehecajji #ahai #bhbg #f4f #eg4b #e;b #bd #c #fb4a #abbaffcbghf #dddi #edj #hhd #aabd #g4h #ei4f #f;a #bd #a #fa4f #abgafcbbhjc #ddce #eji #ija #adaj #h4b #eh4b #f;b #bg #c #fa4g #aahahcdcaea #dihe #gaa #abdi #aifj #f4h #eh4b #g;a #be #a #fa4e #abeafhbbiec #dfce #eei #ajea #afaj #g4i #ef4i #g;b #cb #a #fb4a #ajbbaaecfhc #egih #iib #agha #bggc #e4e #eg4d #h;a #cj #c #fa4g #abcbjbjcgbj #egdj #hig #ahah #bgae #f4e #ed4c #h;b #bb #c #fb4e 44 #adggbejf #cihc #bbh #fjd 44 44 #ec4i #ai;a #bf #b #fa4j 44 #ageecjeb #dhjg #fcb #aaej 44 44 #eg4e #b #bf #j #fa4c #abcagagbheh #dege #eid #ief #aeej 44 #fj4a #i;b #be #c #fa4e #aahagjbbhia #deic #egi #ihi #aefh #g4c #eh4h #aj;a #be #b #fa4b #accagjebhgd #degi #ehb #igb #aeed #h4b #ei4c #aj;b #cj #c #fa4f #adbbjddceag #eefa #iba #afae #becf #f4c #ei4e #aa;a #bi #a #fa4h #abcaidacbjc #eadd #hah #acja #baai #f4g #fj4f #aa;b #bi #b #fb4j #abdaieccdeb #edje #hcj #aeej #bchj #f4f #eg4a #ab;a #bg #j #fa4h #abaagifcabd #dibj #fgc #abbb #ahie #g4a #eg4d #ab;b #bj #b #fb4e #ajhaieiccjf #ebfe #hcf #adjd #bbdj #e4e #eg4c #ac;a #bg #a #fb4c #ifahjacaga #digb #fgh #abfi #aidg #e4c #ef4g #ac;b #bh #j #fb4h #ageaiddccfb #ecjf #hba #adfj #bbha #i4g #ei4e #ad;a #bf #c #fb4h #affahefcjjf #dhfb #gcc #aajd #ahcg #i4h #fa4g #ad;b #cb #c #fc4j #aeabbadchgf #fjijajia #aigd #cjfe #g4b #eg4a #ae;a #cb #j #fb4f #acgbadjcfag #egegajag #agae #bgcb #f4f #ei4a #ae;b #bi #a #fb4c #acbaieicdag #ecgf #hcf #aeae #bcea #f4i #eg4c #af;a #cd #b #fb4f #aaibbhcdjab #fbieaafj #baaj #cbgj #e4b #ef4i #af;b #cc #c #fb4c #aaibbbbdjbg #fbdiajii #babe #cbbd #e4f #ee4a #ag;a #ce #a #fb4j #aagbcaddbfa #fegeaaia #bcei #ceej #f4d #ed4c #ag;b #cb #j #fb4g #adbbafjcheb #fjabajcg #aiej #bihg #f4i #ef4j #ah;a #bi #a #fb4i #ahabjbidafd #faic #ijf #bbfb #cafh #i4g #dh4g #ah;b #cb #c #fb4h #adjbaiedbjb #fcigajgb #bcjj #ccgb #f4g #eb4b #ai #bj #j #fb4e #gjaccbbjgd #cdjf #bji #agb #cha #d4i #fd4b #bj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba #bb ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,here again1 ,i want the ,deacon to look at plot #j1 where #ejj lbs4 ,peruvian guano1 sown in ,october1 gives an increase of nearly #ad bushels of dressed wheat and #a1cge lbs4 of straw per acre4 ,on plot #b1 where #ad tons of barn-yard manure have now been applied four years in succession 7#ef tons in all71 there is a little more straw1 but not quite so much grain1 as from the #ejj lbs4 of guano4 8,but will the guano10 said the ,deacon1 8be as lasting as the manure80 8,not for wheat10 said ,i4 8,but if you seed the wheat down with clover1 as would be the case in this section1 we should get considerable benefit1 probably1 from the guano4 ,if wheat was sown after the wheat1 the guano applied the previous season would do little good on the second crop of wheat4 ,and yet it is a matter of fact that there would be a considerable proportion of the guano left in the soil4 ,the wheat cannot take it up4 ,but the clover can4 ,and we all know that if we can grow good crops of clover1 plowing it under1 or feeding it out on the land1 or making it into hay and saving the manure obtained from it1 we shall thus be enabled to raise good crops of wheat1 barley1 oats1 potatoes1 and corn1 and in this sense guano is a #8lasting' manure40 8,barnyard-manure10 said the ,doctor1 8is altogether too #8lasting4' ,here we have had #ef tons of manure on an acre of land in four years1 and yet an acre dressed with #ejj lbs4 of guano produces just as good a crop4 ,the manure contains far more plant-food1 of all kinds1 than the guano1 but it is so #8lasting' that it does not do half as much good as its composition would lead us to expect4 ,its #8lasting' properties are a decided objection1 rather than an advantage4 ,if we could make it less lasting--in other words1 if we could make it act quicker1 it would produce a greater effect1 and possess a greater value4 ,in proportion to its constituents1 the barn-yard manure is far cheaper than the guano1 but it has a less beneficial effect1 because these constituents are not more completely decomposed and rendered available40 8,that10 said ,i1 8opens up a very important question4 ,we have more real value in manure than most of us are as yet able to bring out and turn to good account4 ,the sandy-land farmer has an advantage over the clay-land farmer in this respect4 ,the latter has a naturally richer soil1 but it costs him more to work it1 and manure does not act so rapidly4 ,the clay-land farmer should use his best endeavors to decompose his manure40 8,yes10 said the ,doctor1 8and1 like ,john ,johnston1 he will probably find it to his advantage to use it largely as a top-dressing on the surface4 ,exposing manure to the atmosphere1 spread out on the land for several months1 and harrowing it occasionally1 will do much to render its constituents available4 ,but let us return to ,mr4 ,lawes' wonderful experiments40 8,on eight plots10 said ,i1 8#cjj lbs4 of ammonia-salts were used without any other manures1 and the average yield on these eight plots was nearly #bf bushels per acre1 or an average increase of #i bushels per acre4 ,the same amount of ammonia-salts1 with the addition of superphosphate of lime1 gave an increase of #ac bushels per acre4 #djj lbs4 ammonia salts1 with superphosphate of lime1 gave an increase of nearly #af bushels per acre1 or three bushels per acre more than where #ad tons of barn-yard manure had been used four years in succession4 8,i hope1 after this1 the ,deacon will forgive me for dwelling on the value of available nitrogen or ammonia as a manure for wheat40 8,i see10 said the ,deacon1 8that ground rice was used this year for manure2 and in #ahde1 tapioca was also used as a manure4 ,the ,connecticut ,tobacco growers a few years since used corn-meal for manure1 and you thought it a great waste of good food40 ,i think so still4 ,but we will not discuss the matter now4 ,mr4 ,lawes wanted to ascertain whether carbonaceous matter was needed by the growing wheat-plants1 or whether they could get all they needed from the soil and the atmosphere4 ,the enormous quantities of carbonaceous matter supplied by the barn-yard manure1 it is quite evident1 are of little value as a manure for wheat4 ,and the rice seems to have done very little more good than we should expect from the #bb lbs4 of nitrogen which it contained4 ,the large quantity of carbonaceous matter evidently did little good4 ,available carbonaceous matter1 such as starch1 sugar1 and oil1 was intended as food for man and beast--not as food for wheat or tobacco4 ,the following table gives the results of the experiments the fifth year1 #ahdg-h4 ,experiments at ,rothamsted on the ,growth of ,wheat1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land4 ,table ,v4--,manures and ,produce2 #eth ,season1 #ahdg-h4 ,manures and ,seed 7,old ,red ,lammas71 ,sown ,autumn1 #ahdg4 ,manures ,,fm ,farm-yard ,manure4 ,p-,a ,pearl-ash4 ,s-,a ,soda-ash4 ,s,mg ,sulphate of ,magnesia4 ,,spl ,superphosphate of ,lime4 ,b-,a ,bone-ash4 ,s,ac ,sulphuric ,acid 7,sp4 gr4 #a4g47 ,m,ac ,muriatic ,acid4 ,s,am ,sulphate of ,ammonia4 ,m,am ,muriate of ,ammonia4 ,,rc ,rape-,cake4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ,manure per ,acre1 etc4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ------------------ l ,superphosphate o of ,lime4 t -------------------- s ,,fm ,p-,a ,s-,a ,s,mg ,,spl ,b-,a ,s,ac ,m,ac ,s,am ,m,am ,,rc ---------------------------------------- ------------------ ,tonslbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j 44 44 44 44 #bbdj 44 44 44 44 44 44 #a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #b #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #c ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #d 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 44 #e 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bej #bej 44 #e 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj #ejj #f 44 44 44 44 44 #djj #cjj 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #f 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #g 44 44 44 44 44 #djj #cjj 44 #aej #aej #ejj #g 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej #ejj #h 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 44 44 44 #h 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 44 44 44 #i 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 44 44 44 #i 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej 44 #aj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #aej #aej 44 #aj 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej 44 44 #aa 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej #ejj #aa 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ab 44 #cjj 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej #ejj #ab 44 #cjj 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ac 44 #cjj 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej #ejj #ac 44 #cjj 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ad 44 #cjj 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej #ejj #ad 44 #cjj 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ae 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 44 #ae 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 44 #af 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej #ejj #af 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej #ejj #ag 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ag 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ah 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej 44 #ah 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #aej #aej 44 #ai 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 #ejj #bj ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bb ---------------------------------------- ------------------ ,produce ,wt_/,bu ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,oc ,offal ,corn4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,s,c ,straw and ,chaff4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw47 ,c ,corn4 ,,tp ,total ,produce4 ,,ocd ,offal ,corn to #ajj ,dressed4 ,c#ajj ,corn to #ajj ,straw4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,increase per ,produce per ,acre1 c4 ,acre ,by ,manure4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ----- l ,dressed ,corn4 o ------------- ,,tp t ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu,,oc ,,tc ,s,c ,c,s ,c ,s,c ,,tp ,,ocd ,c#ajj s ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,bu4 ,pks4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #ai #j #ec4d #ach #abeibjgdcccc #cjg #cfb #ffiac4d #fj4g #j #af #j #ei4f #afj #aabdagcebhei #agb #bc #aieaf4c #fd4g #a #bc #b #eh4b #baj #agjecjdadgdf #gec #acbi #bjhbac4h #ef4j #b #ad #c #eg4c #ajf #iebagabbffd 44 44 44 #ab4a #ee4f #c #bd #j #eh4e #agb #aehcbgacdbif #fca #ajja #afcbab4j #eh4c #d #bi #c #ei4b #add #aiaacbffeagg #iei #aeed #beac #g4i #eh4e #e;a #ci #c #ei4a #ajg #aicbceccedfe #ihj #ahba #bhja #e4h #eg4e #e;b #bd #c #eh4h #bad #afgbbhghdeej #gbj #aaff #ahhfad4f #eh4j #f;a #bf #c #ef4i #baf #agcgbifhdgje #ghe #abef #bjdaad4j #eh4e #f;b #cj #c #ei4d #ajf #aicfcjhhejbd #ihd #acgf #bcfj #e4g #fb4f #g;a #bi #c #ei4f #ahg #aifccdacecgfajaa #agja #bgabaj4c #eg4e #g;b #ai #c #ef4b #aed #abfcbcagcehj #caa #fje #iafac4f #ed4e #h;a #ai #j #ei4d #abg #abfgbadhcdae #cae #dcf #geaaa4a #eh4h #h;b #ah #b #ef4g #abe #aahaaidecabf #bbi #bcc #dfbaa4f #fj4g #i;a #be #j #ec4c #bjh #affibiahdehg #gag #abjf #aibcac4i #eg4a #i;b #ai #a #eh4a #bae #accdbcfgcgja #chb #fee #ajcgai4j #ef4c #aj;a #be #j #eg4h #aee #afjdbibfdecj #feb #abad #ahffaj4f #ed4h #aj;b #bi #a #ei4f #bcc #aihdcbgdebehajcb #aefb #beidac4a #fj4f #aa;a #bd #c #eg4i #bjg #afdabhihdeci #fhi #aahf #ahgead4a #ef4d #aa;b #bi #c #ei4c #agd #aichccijecbh #ihf #afgh #bffd #i4c #eg4b #ab;a #bf #j #ei4b #afg #agagbhhjdeig #gfe #aafh #aiccaj4g #ei4f #ab;b #bi #a #eg4i #bec #aieecbijebdeajjc #aegh #behaad4g #ei4d #ac;a #be #c #eh4d #bbd #agcjcjgbdhjb #ggh #acfj #bachad4f #ef4c #ac;b #bh #j #eh4h #ahd #ahcdcbegejia #hhb #aede #bdbgaa4a #ef4c #ad;a #be #b #eh4e #bbg #agbfbhigdfbc #ggd #aahe #aieiae4a #ei4e #ad;b #bb #c #eh4a #bdb #aegabicgdejh #fai #abbe #ahddah4a #ec4d #ae;a #bd #b #ef4i #bjb #afjgcjafdfbc #fee #acjd #aieiad4a #ec4b #ae;b #bi #c #fj4j #ahd #aigccaaeejhhajba #adjc #bdbdaj4b #fc4c #af;a #cj #a #eh4d #aga #aidhcchjecbh #iif #affh #bffd #i4d #eg4f #af;b #bg #b #ei4g #bhe #aicccbifebbi #iha #aehd #befeag4j #eh4f #ag;a #bh #c #ei4g #bbb #aidfccbdebgj #iid #afab #bfjfab4f #eh4e #ag;b #bf #c #ei4b #aej #agcdbicedffi #ghb #abbc #bjje #i4b #ei4j #ah;a #bf #b #ei4f #bae #ahjdcjefdhfj #heb #acdd #baifac4c #eh4g #ah;b #bi #a #ef4b #ahe #ahchcbieeacc #hhf #aehc #bdfiaj4d #ee4g #ai #af #j #eh4c #aaa #ajejagbabgga #ih #i #ajgaa4c #fa4j #bj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba #bb ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,this season was considered unfavorable for wheat4 ,the continuously unmanured plot produced #ad bushels1 and the plot receiving #ad tons of barn yard manure1 #be bushels per acre nearly4 #cjj lbs4 of ammonia-salts alone on plot #aj;a1 gave #ai bushels per acre1 while the same quantity of ammonia1 with superphosphate in addition1 gave1 on plot #i;b1 #be bushels per acre4 ,the addition to the above manures of #cjj lbs4 of potash1 #bjj lbs4 soda1 and #ajj lbs4 sulphate of magnesia1 on plot #aj;b1 gave precisely the same yield per acre as the ammonia and the superphosphate alone4 ,the potash1 soda1 and magnesia1 therefore1 did no good4 #djj lbs4 of ammonia-salts1 with superphosphate1 potash1 etc41 gave1 on plot #ag;b1 nearly #bi bushels per acre1 or #c bushels more than the plot which has now received #gj tons of barn-yard manure in five successive years4 8,i see that1 on plot #j10 said the ,deacon1 8one ton of superphosphate was used per acre1 and it gave only half a bushel per acre more than #cej lbs4 on #i;a40 8,this proves10 said ,i1 8that an excessive dose of superphosphate will do no harm4 ,i am not sure that #ajj lbs4 of a good superphosphate drilled in with the seed1 would not have done as much good as a ton per acre40 8,you say10 remarked the ,deacon1 8that the season was unfavorable for wheat4 ,and yet the no-manure plot produced nearly #ae bushels of wheat per acre40 8,that is all true10 said ,i1 8and yet the season was undoubtedly an unfavorable one4 ,this is shown not only in the less yield1 but in the inferior quality of the grain4 ,the #8dressed corn' on the no-manure plot this year only weighed #eg lbs4 per bushel1 while last year it weighed #fa lbs4 per bushel40 8,by the way10 said the ,doctor1 8what do ,messrs4 ,lawes and ,gilbert mean by #8dressed corn'80 8,by #8corn1'0 said ,i1 8they mean wheat2 and by #8dressed corn' they mean wheat that has been run through a fanning-mill until all the light and shrunken grain is blown or sieved out4 ,in other words1 #8dressed corn' is wheat carefully cleaned for market4 ,the ,english farmers take more pains in cleaning their grain than we do4 ,and this #8dressed corn' was as clean as a good fanning-mill could make it4 ,you will observe that there was more #8offal corn' this year than last4 ,this also indicates an unfavorable season40 8,it would have been very interesting10 said the ,doctor1 8if ,messrs4 ,lawes and ,gilbert had analyzed the wheat produced by the different manures1 so that we might have known something in regard to the quality of the flour as influenced by the use of different fertilizers40 8,they did that very thing10 said ,i1 8and not only that1 but they made the wheat grown on different plots1 into flour1 and ascertained the yield of flour from a given weight of wheat1 and the amount of bran1 middlings1 etc41 etc4 ,they obtained some very interesting and important results4 ,i was there at the time4 ,but this is not the place to discuss the question4 ,i am often amused1 however1 at the remarks we often hear in regard to the inferior quality of our wheat as compared to what it was when the country was new4 ,many seem to think that #8there is something lacking in the soil'--some say potash1 and some phosphates1 and some this1 and some that4 ,i believe nothing of the kind4 ,depend upon it1 the variety of the wheat and the soil and season have much more to do with the quality or strength of the flour1 than the chemical composition of the manures applied to the land40 8,at any rate10 said the ,doctor1 8we may be satisfied that anything that will produce a vigorous1 healthy growth of wheat is favorable to quality4 ,we may use manures in excess1 and thus produce over-luxuriance and an unhealthy growth1 and have poor1 shrunken grain4 ,in this case1 it is not the use1 but the abuse of the manure that does the mischief4 ,we must not manure higher than the season will bear4 ,as yet1 this question rarely troubles us4 ,hitherto1 as a rule1 our seasons are better than our farming4 ,it may not always be so4 ,we may find the liberal use of manure so profitable that we shall occasionally use it in excess4 ,at present1 however1 the tendency is all the other way4 ,we have more grain of inferior quality from lack of fertility than from an excess of plant-food40 8,that may be true10 said ,i1 8but we have more poor1 inferior wheat from lack of draining and good culture1 than from lack of plant-food4 ,red-root1 thistles1 cockle1 and chess1 have done more to injure the reputation of #8,genesee ,flour1' than any other one thing1 and ,i should like to hear more said about thorough cultivation1 and the destruction of weeds1 and less about soil exhaustion40 ,the following table shows the results of the experiments the sixth year1 #ahdh-i4 ,experiments at ,rothamsted on the ,growth of ,wheat1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land4 ,table ,,vi4--,manures and ,produce2 #fth ,season1 #ahdh-i4 ,manures and ,seed 7,red ,cluster71 ,sown ,autumn1 #ahdh4 ,manures ,,fm ,farm-yard ,manure4 ,p-,a ,pearl-ash4 ,s-,a ,soda-ash4 ,s,mg ,sulphate of ,magnesia4 ,b-,a ,bone-ash4 ,s,ac ,sulphuric ,acid4 7,sp4 gr4 #a4g7 ,m,ac ,muriatic ,acid4 ,s,am ,sulphate of ,ammonia4 ,m,am ,muriate of ,ammonia4 ,,rc ,rape-cake4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- ,manures per ,acre4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ----------- l ,superphosphate o of ,lime4 t --------------- s ,,fm ,p-,a ,s-,a ,s,mg ,b-,a ,s,ac ,m,ac ,s,am ,m,am ,,rc ---------------------------------------- ------------- ,tons4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j 44 44 44 44 #fjj #dej 44 44 44 44 #a 44 #fjj #djj #bjj 44 44 44 44 44 44 #b #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #c ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #d 44 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 44 #e;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bej #bej 44 #e;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj #ejj #f;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #f;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #g;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #g;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #h;a ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #h;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjjj #i;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjjj #i;b ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #aj;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aj;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aa;a 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aa;b 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ab;a 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ab;b 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ac;a 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ac;b 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ad;a 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ad;b 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ae;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 44 #ae;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 #ejj #af;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #af;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ag;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ag;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ah;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ah;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ai 44 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 #ejj #bj ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba ,mixture of the residue of most of the other 44 44 #bb manures4 ---------------------------------------- ------------- ,produce ,wt_/,bu ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,oc ,offal ,corn4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,s,c ,straw and ,chaff4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw47 ,c ,corn4 ,,tp ,total ,produce4 ,,ocd ,offal ,corn to #ajj ,dressed4 ,c#ajj ,corn to #ajj ,straw4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,increase per ,produce per ,acre1 c4 ,acre ,by ,manure4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ----- l ,dressed ,corn4 o ------------- ,,tp t ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu ,,oc ,,tc ,s,c ,c,s ,c ,s,c ,,tp ,,ocd ,c#ajj s ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,bu ,pks4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #j 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #a #ca #j #fc4h #ajg #bjfhcjbiejig #hciadae #bbedd4g #fh4c #b #ai #a #fa4d #dg #abbiafadbhdc 44 44 44 #c4i #gf4a #c #cj #j #fc4j #aaj #bjfcbfdedgjh #hcdajca #ahfee4f #gh4j #d #cg #a #fc4a #hi #bddfcehifjce #abagaige #caibc4g #fh4a #e;a #ci #c #fc4d #ig #bfeachbdfdge #adbbbbaj #cfcbe4j #fi4c #e;b #cf #a #fc4j #aag #bdajcjgbedhb #aahaadeh #bfcie4a #gh4d #f;a #cg #c #fc4j #id #bdhdceaffjjj #abeeaijb #caegc4i #gj4f #f;b #ch #b #fc4a #acg #begfcehdfafj #acdgaigj #ccage4f #ga4i #g;a #cg #c #fb4i #ada #becaccifeibg #acjbaghb #cjhde4i #gd4e #g;b #bb #c #fa4g #gf #adhaahaecbif #beb #bja #dece4c #ha4f #h;a #ca #b #fc4j #he #bjhjcaffebdf #heaaeeb #bdjcd4c #fe4g #h;b #cj #b #fb4h #aaa #bjcebfhcdgah #hjfajfi #ahgee4h #ge4h #i;a #bb #a #fb4c #hj #adgeahajcbhe #bdf #aif #dcbe4g #ha4e #i;b #cb #b #fb4c #aab #badabheadiib #iababcg #badie4e #ge4a #aj;a #cb #a #fc4c #aaj #baegbifjeaag #ibhacdf #bbgde4c #gb4i #aj;b #ce #j #fb4f #aba #bcagbhibebji #ajhhabgh #bcffe4f #hj4a #aa;a #cb #a #fc4j #aab #badibidbejia #ibjacbh #bbdhe4e #gc4j #aa;b #ce #c #fd4c #ic #bcifccgaegfg #aafgageg #bibdd4a #ga4a #ab;a #cd #a #fd4c #ga #bbggccjjeegg #ajdhafhg #bgcec4b #fi4j #ab;b #cd #c #fd4a #aja #bcdjcbcfeegf #aaaaafbb #bgccd4e #gb4c #ac;a #cd #b #fd4a #abi #bcdfcbdfeeib #aaagafcb #bgdie4h #gb4c #ac;b #cd #a #fd4c #ef #bbffcbaaedgg #ajcgaeig #bfcdb4e #gj4f #ad;a #ca #a #fd4c #aab #babccbahecda #hidafjd #bdihe4e #ff4j #ad;b #ca #c #fd4b #fe #bajicjcheadg #hhjadbd #bcjdc4b #fi4d #ae;a #cj #j #fd4a #fh #bjjecbfbebfg #ggfafdh #bdbdc4e #fa4e #ae;b #cc #a #fd4e #aja #bbedcchdefch #ajbeaggj #bgied4g #ff4f #af;a #cc #c #fd4f #ge #bbfhceeiehbg #ajciaide #bihdc4d #fc4g #af;b #cd #a #fd4c #aaa #bcafchiafbjg #ajhgbbgg #ccfde4a #ei4d #ag;a #cc #a #fd4d #aab #bbeichehfaag #ajcjbbdd #cbgde4b #eh4e #ag;b #cb #a #fd4j #ic #bafcceibegee #icdaigh #biabd4e #fj4b #ah;a #cc #b #fd4j #ie #bbdccggifjbb #ajadbafe #cagid4d #ei4c #ah;b #bi #b #fc4i #ajb #aiidcbgjebfd #gfeafef #bdbae4d #fa4j #ai 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba #bb ---------------------------------------- ---------------- 8,this was my last year at ,rothamsted10 said ,i1 8and ,i feel a peculiar interest in looking over the results after such a lapse of time4 ,when this crop was growing1 my father1 a good practical farmer1 but with little faith in chemical manures1 paid me a visit4 ,we went to the experimental wheat-field4 ,the first two plots1 #j and #a1 had been dressed1 the one with superphosphate1 the other with potash1 soda1 and magnesia4 ,my father did not seem much impressed with this kind of chemical manuring4 ,stepping to the next plot1 where #ad tons of barn-yard manure had been used1 he remarked1 8this is good1 what have you here80 8,never mind10 said ,i1 8we have better crops farther on40 ,the next plot1 ,no4 #c1 was the one continuously unmanured4 8,i can beat this myself10 said he1 and passed on to the next4 8,this is better10 said he1 8what have you here80 8,superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia40 8,well1 it is a good crop1 and the straw is bright and stiff40--,it turned out #cj bushels per acre1 #fc lbs4 to the bushel4 ,the next six plots had received very heavy dressings of ammonia-salts1 with superphosphate1 potash1 soda1 and magnesia4 ,he examined them with the greatest interest4 8,what have you here80 he asked1 while he was examining #e;a1 which afterwards turned out #cg bushels per acre4 --8,potash1 soda1 epsom-salts1 superphosphate1 and ammonia--but it is the ammonia that does the good40 ,he passed to the next plot1 and was very enthusiastic over it4 8,what have you here80 --8,rape-cake and ammonia10 said ,i4 --8,it is a grand crop10 said he1 and after examining it with great interest1 he passed to the next1 #f;a4 --8,what have you here80 --8,ammonia10 said ,i2 and at #f;b he asked the same question1 and ,i replied 8ammonia40 ,at #g;a1 the same question and the same answer4 ,standing between #g;b and #h;a1 he was of course struck with the difference in the crop2 #h;a was left this year without any manure1 and though it had received a liberal supply of mineral manures the year before1 and minerals and ammonia-salts1 and rape-cake1 the year previous1 it only produced this year1 #c bushels more than the plot continuously unmanured4 ,the contrast between the wheat on this plot and the next one might well interest a practical farmer4 ,there was over #ae bushels per acre more wheat on the one plot than on the other1 and #a1eha lbs4 more straw4 ,passing to the next plot1 he exclaimed 8this is better1 but not so good as some that we have passed40 --8,it has had a heavy dressing of rape-cake10 said ,i1 8equal to about #ajj lbs4 of ammonia per acre1 and the next plot was manured this year in the same way4 ,the only difference being that one had superphosphate and potash1 soda1 and magnesia1 the year before1 while the other had superphosphate alone40 ,it turned out1 as you see from the table1 that the potash1 etc41 only gave half a bushel more wheat per acre the year it was used1 and this year1 with #b1jjj lbs4 of rape-cake on each plot1 there is only a bushel per acre in favor of the potash1 soda1 and magnesia4 ,the next plot1 #i;b1 was also unmanured and was passed by my father without comment4 8,ah10 said he1 on coming to the two next plots1 #aj;a and #aj;b1 8this is better1 what have you here80 --8,nothing but ammonia10 said ,i1 8and ,i wish you would tell me which is the best of the two8 ,last year #aj;b had a heavy dressing of minerals and superphosphate with ammonia1 and #aj;a the same quantity of ammonia alone1 without superphosphate or other mineral manures4 ,and this year both plots have had a dressing of #djj lbs4 each of ammonia-salts4 ,now1 which is the best--the plot that had superphosphate and minerals last year1 or the one without80 --8,well10 said he1 8,i can't see any difference4 ,both are good crops40 ,you will see from the table1 that the plot which had the superphosphate1 potash1 etc41 the year before1 gives a peck less wheat this year than the other plot which had none4 ,practically1 the yield is the same4 ,there is an increase of #ac bushels of wheat per acre--and this increase is clearly due to the ammonia-salts alone4 ,the next plot was also a splendid crop4 8,what have you here80 8,superphosphate and ammonia40 ,this plot 7#aa;a71 turned out #ce bushels per acre4 ,the next plot1 with phosphates and ammonia1 was nearly as good4 ,the next plot1 with potash1 phosphates1 and ammonia1 equally good1 but no better than #aa;a4 ,there was little or no benefit from the potash1 except a little more straw4 ,the next plot was good and ,i did not wait for the question1 but simply said1 8ammonia10 and the next 8ammonia10 and the next 8ammonia40 --,standing still and looking at the wheat1 my father asked1 8,joe1 where can ,i get this ammonia80 ,he had previously been a little skeptical as to the value of chemistry1 and had not a high opinion of 8book farmers10 but that wheat-crop compelled him to admit 8that perhaps1 after all1 there might be some good in it40 ,at any rate1 he wanted to know where he could get ammonia4 ,and1 now1 as then1 every good farmer asks the same question3 8,where can ,i get ammonia80 ,before we attempt to answer the question1 let us look at the next year's experiments4--,the following is the results of the experiments the seventh year1 #ahdi-ej4 ,experiments at ,rothamsted on the ,growth of ,wheat1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land4 ,table ,,vii4--,manures and ,produce2 #gth ,season1 #ahdi-ej4 ,after the ,harvest of #ahdi the ,field ,was ,tile-,drained in ,every ,alternate ,furrow1 #b to #c ,feet ,deep4 ,manures and ,seed 7,red ,cluster71 ,sown ,autumn1 #ahdi4 ,manures ,,fm ,farm-yard ,manure4 ,p-,a ,pearl-ash4 ,s-,a ,soda-ash4 ,s,mg ,sulphate of ,magnesia4 ,b-,a ,bone-ash4 ,s,ac ,sulphuric ,acid4 7,sp4 gr4 #a4g7 ,m,ac ,muriatic ,acid4 ,s,am ,sulphate of ,ammonia4 ,m,am ,muriate of ,ammonia4 ,,rc ,rape-cake4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- ,manures per ,acre4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ----------- l ,superphosphate o of ,lime4 t --------------- s ,,fm ,p-,a ,s-,a ,s,mg ,b-,a ,s,ac ,m,ac ,s,am ,m,am ,,rc ---------------------------------------- ------------- ,tons4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j 44 44 44 44 #fjj #dej 44 44 44 44 #a 44 #fjj #djj #bjj 44 44 44 44 44 44 #b #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #c ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #d 44 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 44 #e;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bej #bej 44 #e;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bej #bej 44 #f;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #f;b 44 99#jj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #g;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj #ejj #g;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj #ejj #h;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #h;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #i;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #i;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aj;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aj;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 44 44 44 #aa;a 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aa;b 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ab;a 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ab;b 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ac;a 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ac;b 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ad;a 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ad;b 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ae;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 44 #ae;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 #ejj #af;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #af;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ag;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ag;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ah;a 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ah;b 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ai 44 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 #ejj #bj ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba #bb ,mixture of the residue of most of the other manures4 44 ---------------------------------------- ------------- ,produce ,wt_/,bu ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,oc ,offal ,corn4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,s,c ,straw and ,chaff4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw47 ,c ,corn4 ,,tp ,total ,produce4 ,,ocd ,offal ,corn to #ajj ,dressed4 ,c#ajj ,corn to #ajj ,straw4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,increase per ,produce per ,acre1 c4 ,acre ,by ,manure4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ----- l ,dressed ,corn4 o ------------- ,,tp t ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu ,,oc ,,tc ,s,c ,c,s ,c ,s,c ,,tp ,,ocd ,c#ajj s ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,bu4 ,pks4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #ai #a #fj4h #db #abbjbjcgcbeg #bah #cah #ecfc4e #ei4i #j 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #a #bh #b #fa4i #ih #ahfacbdeeajf #heiaebf #bchee4d #eg4c #b #ae #c #fj4f #dd #ajjbagaibgba 44 44 44 #d4e #eh4b #c #bg #c #fa4b #hg #agheccabejig #ghcaeic #bcgfe4a #ec4i #d #bi #c #fj4d #aga #aigddejdfdgh #igbbghe #cgegi4e #dc4h #e;a #cj #c #fj4d #afj #bjahdcgifcig #ajafbffj #cfgfh4f #df4a #e;b #cj #j #fa4a #aai #aifjcibgehhg #iehbbjh #cafff4c #di4i #f;a #bi #c #fa4c #adh #aihjcieieici #ighbbdj #cbahh4j #ej4j #f;b #cb #a #fa4j #afg #bacdddheffai #aacbbgff #chihh4d #dg4i #g;a #cb #j #fa4b #aej #baabdbhjfcib #aaajbefa #cfgag4f #di4d #g;b #bh #c #fa4a #aja #ahefcdjgebfc #hedafhh #bedbe4e #ed4e #h;a #cj #a #fa4j #ajc #aidhceiaeeci #idfahgb #bhahe4f #ed4b #h;b #cj #a #fj4d #aah #aieaceejeeja #idiahca #bghjf4c #ee4j #i;a #bg #b #fj4h #hj #agfbcafedibg #gfjaddf #bbjfd4g #ee4g #i;b #bf #c #fj4b #ajj #agbacjhidhaj #gaiacgj #bjhif4a #ee4g #aj;a #ag #c #fa4a #gf #aagaaidicabj #afi #bcj #ciif4h #fj4a #aj;b #cj #c #fa4j #aba #bjjachjfehjg #iiibjhg #cjhff4d #eb4f #aa;a #bi #a #fa4a #ade #aidjcgdaefha #ichbjbb #bifjh4j #ea4i #aa;b #bi #c #fa4e #id #aicecibaehef #iccbbjb #cacee4a #di4d #ab;a #cj #c #fa4d #aae #bjaccijeeiah #ajaabahf #caige4i #ea4e #ab;b #ca #c #fj4b #aje #bjbgdjbffjec #ajbebcjg #cccbe4d #ej4c #ac;a #cj #a #fa4j #aaa #aifddjjheigb #ifbbbhi #cbeaf4j #di4j #ac;b #ca #a #fa4a #ajb #bjbcdjebfjge #ajbabccc #ccede4c #di4i #ad;a #ca #a #fa4e #fe #aiiedjaefjaj #iicbbif #cbhic4b #di4g #ad;b #bf #j #fa4e #ij #aficccbaejad #fiaafjb #bbice4g #ea4j #ae;a #cj #c #fa4j #ei #aidbcibfehfh #idjbbjg #cadgc4j #di4e #ae;b #cc #b #fj4c #ajh #bacdeajcgbcg #aacbcchd #deafe4c #da4h #af;a #cc #c #fj4d #abb #baeidfaefggd #aaegbhif #djecf4j #df4h #af;b #ca #a #fa4b #gc #aihedabffaaa #ihcbdjg #ccijc4h #dh4a #ag;a #bi #b #fa4e #aci #aifadjcdeiie #ieibcae #cbgdg4g #dh4f #ag;b #bi #c #fa4b #aaj #aicdcibgehfa #icbbbjh #cadjf4a #di4c #ah;a #bh #b #fj4i #ajc #ahdechddefhi #hdcbabe #bifhe4g #dh4j #ah;b #bi #j #fj4h #hh #ahejcebgecgg #hdhahjh #bfefd4i #eb4d #ai #ad #j #ei4a #dj #hfhafcibejg -#acd -#hj -#badd4e #ec4j #bj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba #bb ------------ ---------------------------------------- --- ,the summer of #ahej was unusually cool and unfavorable for wheat4 ,it will be seen that on all the plots the yield of grain is considerably lower than last year1 with a greater growth of straw4 ,you will notice that #aj;b1 which last year gave1 with ammonia-salts alone1 #cb bushels1 this year1 with superphosphate1 potash1 soda1 and sulphate of magnesia1 gives less than #ah bushels1 while the adjoining plot1 dressed with ammonia1 gives nearly #bg bushels4 ,in other words1 the ammonia alone gives #i bushels per acre more than this large dressing of superphosphate1 potash1 etc4 ,on the three plots1 #h;a1 #h;b and #i;a1 a dressing of ammonia-salts alone gives in each case1 a larger yield1 both of grain and straw1 than the #ad tons of barn-yard manure on plot #b4 ,and recollect that this plot has now received #ih tons of manure in seven years4 8,that10 said the ,doctor1 8is certainly a very remarkable fact40 8,it is so10 said the ,deacon4 8,but what of it80 asked the ,squire1 8even the ,professor1 here1 does not advise the use of ammonia-salts for wheat40 8,that is so10 said ,i1 8but perhaps ,i am mistaken4 ,such facts as those just given1 though ,i have been acquainted with them for many years1 sometimes incline me to doubt the soundness of my conclusions4 ,still1 on the whole1 ,i think ,i am right40 8,we all know10 said the ,deacon1 8that you have great respect for your own opinions40 8,never mind all that10 said the ,doctor1 8but tell us just what you think on this subject40 8,in brief10 said ,i1 8my opinion is this4 ,we need ammonia for wheat4 ,but though ammonia-salts and nitrate of soda can often be used with decided profit1 yet ,i feel sure that we can get ammonia or nitrogen at a less cost per lb4 by buying bran1 malt-roots1 cotton-seed cake1 and other foods1 and using them for the double purpose of feeding stock and making manure40 8,i admit that such is the case10 said the ,doctor1 8but here is a plot of land that has now had #ad tons of manure every year for seven years1 and yet there is a plot along side1 dressed with ammonia-salts furnishing less than half the ammonia contained in the #ad tons of manure1 that produces a better yield of wheat40 8,that10 said ,i1 8is simply because the nitrogen in the manure is not in an available condition4 ,and the practical question is1 how to make the nitrogen in our manure more immediately available4 ,it is one of the most important questions which agricultural science is called upon to answer4 ,until we get more light1 ,i feel sure in saying that one of the best methods is1 to feed our animals on richer and more easily digested food40 ,the following table gives the results of the eighth season of #ahej-ea4 ,experiments at ,rothamsted on the ,growth of ,wheat1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land4 ,table ,,viii4--,manures and ,produce2 #hth ,season1 #ahej-ea4 ,manures and ,seed 7,red ,cluster71 ,sown ,autumn1 #ahej4 ,manures ,,fm ,farm-yard ,manure4 ,,wsc ,cut ,wheat-straw and ,chaff4 ,,cs ,common ,salt4 ,,sp ,sulphate of ,potass4 ,s-,a ,soda-ash4 ,s,mg ,sulphate of ,magnesia4 ,b-,a ,bone-ash4 ,s,ac ,sulphuric ,acid4 7,sp4 gr4 #a4g7 ,m,ac ,muriatic ,acid4 ,s,am ,sulphate of ,ammonia4 ,m,am ,muriate of ,ammonia4 ,,rc ,rape-cake4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,manures per ,acre4 ,p ---------------------------------------- -------------- l ,superphosphate o of ,lime4 t ------------- s ,,fm ,,wsc ,,cs ,,sp ,s-,a ,s,mg ,b-,a ,s,ac ,m,ac ,s,am ,m,am ,,rc ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,tons4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4 #j 44 44 44 44 44 44 #fjj #dej 44 44 44 44 #a 44 44 44 #fjj #djj #bjj 44 44 44 44 44 44 #b #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #c ,unmanured4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #d 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #djj 44 44 #e;a 44 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #cjj #cjj 44 #e;b 44 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #cjj #cjj 44 #f;a 44 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #f;b 44 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #g;a 44 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj #ajjj #g;b 44 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj #ajjj #h;a 44 #ejjj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #h;b 44 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #ajj #ajj 44 #i;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #i;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aj;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aj;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aa;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #aa;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ab;a 44 44 44 #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ab;b 44 44 44 #bjj #ajj 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ac;a 44 44 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ac;b 44 44 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ad;a 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ad;b 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ae;a 44 44 44 #bjj #ajj #ajj #bjj 44 #bjj #djj 44 44 #ae;b 44 44 44 #bjj #ajj #ajj #bjj 44 #bjj #djj 44 #ejj #af;a 44 44 #ccfabjj #ajj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #cjj #cjj 44 #af;b 44 44 44 #bjj #ajj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #cjj #cjj 44 #ag;a 44 44 44 #bjj #ajj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ag;b 44 44 44 #bjj #ajj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ah;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ah;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 #ai 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 #ejj #bj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba ,unmanured 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bb 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,note #a3 ,top-dressed in ,march1 #ahea4 ,produce ,wt_/,bu ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,oc ,offal ,corn4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,s,c ,straw and ,chaff4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw74 ,c ,corn4 ,s,c ,straw and ,chaff4 ,,tp ,total ,produce4 ,,ocd ,offal ,corn to #ajj ,dressed4 ,c#ajj ,corn to #ajj ,straw4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,increase per ,produce per ,acre1 etc4 ,acre ,by ,manure ,p ---------------------------------------- ------- l ,dressed ,corn4 o ------------- ,,tp t ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu ,,oc ,,tc ,s,c,c,s ,c ,s,c ,,tp ,,ocd ,c#ajj s ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,bu4 ,pks4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #ah #c #fa4i #abe #abifahfbcaeh #bac #bce #ddh #aj4gfi4f #j #ah #a #fa4g #abd #abeaahdecjif #afh #bah #chf #aa4jfg4h #a #bi #b #fc4f #aff #bjdicjideadc #iff #adfg #bdcc #h4hff4b #b #ae #c #fa4a #aad #ajhcafbgbgaj 44 44 44 #aa4hff4f #c #bh #j #fb4f #aei #aiaibididhfh #hcf #acbb #baeh #i4jfe4a #d #cf #j #fc4c #aid #bdgcdacaffjd #acij #bejd #chid #h4fei4i #e;a #cg #c #fc4c #bac #bfaadbidfije #aebh #bffg #daie #h4ifj4h #e;b #cc #a #fc4c #aed #bbgacfbdehie #aahh #aiig #cahe #g4bfb4f #f;a #ca #j #fb4c #ahi #baaicejgefbf #ajcf #ahhj #biaf #i4hfj4d #f;b #cf #c #fc4j #bja #bebddehggaaa #adda #bifj #ddja #h4gee4j #g;a #cg #a #fc4j #agh #becbdcjbfhcd #addi #bfge #dabd #g4feh4h #g;b #bf #j #fb4h #ada #aghebgfideed #gjb #aadb #ahdd #h4ffd4e #h;a #bg #b #fb4f #acg #ahfcbhcjdfic #ghj #abjc #aihc #g4ife4h #h;b #ca #a #fb4d #ahb #badbcbebecid #ajei #afbe #bfhd #i4cfe4i #i;a #bi #j #fb4j #agj #aigjbidbdiab #hhg #acae #bbjb #i4efg4j #i;b #bh #c #fa4i #agi #aiffcjgjejcf #hhc #addc #bcbf #aj4jfd4jaj;a #bh #b #fb4e #adi #aicgcjdhdihe #hed #adba #bbge #h4cfc4eaj;b #cb #b #fb4c #aha #bbafcchfefjb #aacc #agei #bhib #h4ife4daa;a #ca #b #fb4e #aha #bafcccjbedfe #ajhj #afge #bgee #i4afe4eaa;b #cb #c #fc4a #afe #bbcdcfjjehcd #aaea #aigc #cabd #h4jfb4jab;a #cb #b #fb4e #aff #bbjccehaeghd #aabj #aied #cjgd #h4bfa4eab;b #cj #b #fb4f #ahj #bajbceddefdf #ajai #aiag #bicf #i4dei4cac;a #cj #c #fb4c #afj #bjhccddjeebc #ajjj #ahac #bhac #h4cfj4eac;b #ca #j #fb4i #afh #babjcfjeegbe #ajcg #aigh #cjae #h4feh4had;a #ca #j #fb4h #afe #babacecgefeh #ajch #aiaj #bidh #h4dei4iad;b #bg #j #fb4g #ach #ahcicjdadhhj #gef #adad #bagj #h4afj4eae;a #cj #b #fb4i #adh #bjggcdcbeeji #iid #ahje #bgii #g4ffj4eae;b #cf #c #fc4e #afa #bdiidbcdfgcc #adaf #bfjg #djbc #f4iei4jaf;a #cf #b #fc4d #agf #bejadccbfhcc #adah #bgje #dabc #g4feg4gaf;b #ca #c #fc4c #aca #badiceigegdf #ajff #aigj #cjcf #f4eei4gag;a #cj #b #fc4a #aeb #bjgicdjfedhe #iif #aggi #bgge #g4ifa4jag;b #cj #c #fc4j #aci #bjhcccijedgc #ajjj #agfc #bgfc #g4bfd4aah;a #ca #j #fb4d #adc #bjijcehfefgf #ajjg #aiei #biff #g4ceh4cah;b #cj #a #fb4d #add #bjcaccdhecgi #idh #agba #bffi #g4gfj4gai #ad #a #fj4h #hi #iefafjibefe -#abg -#ah -#ade #aj4bei4dbj #ba #ag #c #fa4i #abg #abcbagfcbiie #adi #acf #bhe #aa4efi4ibb ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,the plot continuously unmanured1 gives about #af bushels of wheat per acre4 ,the plot with barn-yard manure1 nearly #cj bushels per acre4 #djj lbs4 of ammonia-salts alone1 on plot #i;a1 #ca bushels2 on #i;b1 #bi bushels2 on #aj;a and #aj;b1 nearly #bi bushels each4 ,this is remarkable uniformity4 #djj lbs4 ammonia-salts and a large quantity of mineral manures in addition1 on twelve different plots1 average not quite #cb bushels per acre4 8,the superphosphate and minerals10 said the ,deacon1 8do not seem to do much good1 that is a fact40 ,you will notice that #ccf lbs4 of common salt was sown on plot #af;a4 ,it does not seem to have done the slightest good4 ,where the salt was used1 there is #b lbs4 less grain and #ih lbs4 less straw than on the adjoining plot #af;b1 where no salt was used1 but otherwise manured alike4 ,it would seem1 however1 that the quality of the grain was slightly improved by the salt4 ,the salt was sown in ,march as a top-dressing4 8,it would have been better10 said the ,deacon4 8to have sown it in autumn with the other manures40 8,the ,deacon is right10 said ,i1 8but it so happens that the next year and the year after1 the salt was applied at the same time as the other manures4 ,it gave an increase of #id lbs4 of grain and #fa lbs4 of straw in #ahea1 but the following year the same quantity of salt used on the same plot did more harm than good40 ,before we leave the results of this year1 it should be observed that on #h;a1 #e1jjj lbs4 of cut straw and chaff were used per acre4 ,i do not recollect seeing anything in regard to it4 ,and yet the result was very remarkable--so much so indeed1 that it is a matter of regret that the experiment was not repeated4 ,this #e1jjj lbs4 of straw and chaff gave an increase of more than #aj bushels per acre over the continuously unmanured plot4 8,good10 said the ,deacon1 8,i have always told you that you under-estimated the value of straw1 especially in regard to its mechanical action40 ,i did not reply to this remark of the good ,deacon4 ,i have never doubted the good effects of anything that lightens up a clay soil and renders it warmer and more porous4 ,i suppose the great benefit derived from this application of straw must be attributed to its ameliorating action on the soil4 ,the #e1jjj lbs4 of straw and chaff produced a crop within nearly #c bushels per acre of the plot manured every year with #ad tons of barn-yard manure4 8,i am surprised10 said the ,doctor1 8that salt did no good4 ,i have seen many instances in which it has had a wonderful effect on wheat40 8,yes10 said ,i1 8and our experienced friend1 ,john ,johnston1 is very decidedly of the opinion that its use is highly profitable4 ,he sows a barrel of salt per acre broadcast on the land at the time he sows his wheat1 and ,i have myself seen it produce a decided improvement in the crop40 ,we have now given the results of the first eight years of the experiments4 ,from this time forward1 the same manures were used year after year on the same plot4 ,the results are given in the accompanying tables for the following twelve years--harvests for #aheb-ec-ed-ee-ef-eg-eh-ei-fj-fa-fb and #ahfc4 ,such another set of experiments are not to be found in the world1 and they deserve and will receive the careful study of every intelligent ,american farmer4 8,i am with you there10 said the ,deacon4 8,you seem to think that ,i do not appreciate the labors of scientific men4 ,i do4 ,such experiments as these we are examining command the respect of every intelligent farmer4 ,i may not fully understand them1 but ,i can see clearly enough that they are of great value40 ,experiments at ,rothamsted on the ,growth of ,wheat1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land4 ,table ,,ix4--,manures per ,acre per ,annum 7with the exceptions explained in the ,notes on p4 #bjc71 for #ab ,years in succession--namely1 for the #ith1 #ajth1 #aath1 #abth1 #acth1 #adth1 #aeth1 #afth1 #agth1 #ahth1 #aith1 and #bjth ,seasons3 that is1 for the crops of ,harvests #aheb- #ec- #ed- #ee- #ef- #eg- #eh- #ei- #fj- #fa- #fb and #ahfc499 ,manures ,,fm ,farm-yard ,manure4 ,,cs ,common ,salt4 ,,sp ,sulphate of ,potass4#a ,,ss ,sulphate of ,soda4#a ,s,mg ,sulphate of ,magnesia4#a ,b-,a ,bone-ash4 ,s,ac ,sulphuric ,acid4 7,sp4 gr4 #a4g7 ,m,ac ,muriatic ,acid4 ,s,am ,sulphate of ,ammonia4 ,m,am ,muriate of ,ammonia4 ,,ns ,nitrate of ,soda4 ,,rc ,rape-cake4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ,manures per ,acre per ,annum for #ab ,years1 #ahea-b to #ahfb-c inclusive1 except in the cases explained in the ,notes on p4 #bjc4 ,p ---------------------------------------- ------------- l ,superphosphate o of ,lime4 t ------------- s ,,fm ,,cs ,,sp ,,ss ,s,mg ,b-,a ,s,ac ,m,ac ,s,am ,m,am ,,ns ,,rc ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,tons4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4 #j 44 44 44 44 44 #fjj #dej 44 44 44 44 44 #a 44 44 #fjj #djj #bjj 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #b #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #c ,unmanured 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #d ,unmanured 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #e;a 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 44 44 44 44 #e;b 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 44 44 44 44 #f;a 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #ajj #ajj 44 44 #f;b 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #ajj #ajj 44 44 #g;a 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #g;b 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #h;a 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #cjj #cjj 44 44 #h;b 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #cjj #cjj 44 44 #b #i;a 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 44 44 #eej 44 #c #i;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #eej 44 #aj;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #aj;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #aa;a 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #aa;b 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #ab;a 44 44 44 #eej 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #ab;b 44 44 44 #eej 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #ac;a 44 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #ac;b 44 44 #cjj 44 44 #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #ad;a 44 44 44 44 #dbj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #ad;b 44 44 44 44 #dbj #bjj #aej 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #ae;a 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj 44 #bjj #djj 44 44 44 #ae;b 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 44 #ejj #af;a 44 #ccfdcjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #djj #djj 44 44 #af;b 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 #djj #djj 44 44 #eag;a 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #ag;b 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #bjj 44 44 #eah;a 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 44 44 44 44 #ah;b 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj #bjj #aej 44 44 44 44 44 #ai 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj 44 #bjj #cjj 44 44 #ejj #bj ,unmanured 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ba 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 44 44 44 #ajj 44 44 #bb 44 44 #cjj #bjj #ajj 44 44 44 #ajj 44 44 44 ---------------------------------------- ------------------- 99 ,for the particulars of the produce of each separate season1 see ,tables ,x4-,,xxi4 inclusive4 ,note #a3 ,for the #afth and succeeding seasons--the sulphate of potass was reduced from #fjj to #djj lbs4 per acre per annum on ,plot #a1 and from #cjj to #bjj lbs4 on all the other ,plots where it was used2 the sulphate of soda from #djj to #bjj lbs4 on ,plot #a1 to #ajj lbs4 on all the ,plots on which #bjj lbs4 had previously been applied1 and from #eej to #ccf lbs4 7two-thirds the amount7 on ,plots #ab;a and #ab;b2 and the sulphate of magnesia from #dbj to #bhj lbs4 7two-thirds the amount7 on ,plots #ad;a and #ad;b4 ,note #b3 ,plot #i;a--the sulphates of potass1 soda1 and magnesia1 and the superphosphate of lime1 were applied in the #abth and succeeding seasons1 but not in the #ith1 #ajth1 and #aath2 and the amount of nitrate of soda was for the #ith season only #dge lbs4 per acre1 and for the #ajth and #aath seasons only #bge lbs4 ,note #c3 ,plot #i;b--in the #ith season only #dge lbs4 of nitrate of soda were applied4 ,note #d3 ,common salt--not applied after the #ajth season4 ,note #e3 ,plots #ag;a and #ag;b1 and #ah;a and #ah;b--the manures on these plots alternate3 that is1 ,plots #ag were manured with ammonia-salts in the #ith season2 with the sulphates of potass1 soda1 and magnesia1 and superphosphate of lime1 in the #ajth2 ammonia-salts again in the #aath2 the sulphates of potass1 soda1 and magnesia1 and superphosphate of lime1 again in the #abth1 and so on4 ,plots #ah1 on the other hand1 had the sulphates of potass1 soda1 and magnesia1 and superphosphate of lime1 in the #ith season2 ammonia-salts in the #ajth1 and so on1 alternately4 ,table ,x4--,produce of the #ith ,season1 #ahea-b4 ,seed 7,red ,cluster7 sown ,november #g1 #ahea2 ,crop cut ,august #bd1 #aheb4 ,table ,,xi4--,produce of the #ajth ,season1 #ahec4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,march #af2 ,crop cut ,september #aj1 and carted ,september #bj1 #ahec4 ,qty4 ,quantity4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw74 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,produce per ,acre1 ,produce per ,acre1 etc4 7,for the ,manures etc4 7,for the ,manures ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 l -------------------------- l -------------------------- o ,dressed ,corn4 o ,dressed ,corn4 t --------------- ,,tp t --------------- ,,tp s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j #ae #j #ee4h #iai #bfbe #j #i #j #di4a #eii #bdjf #a #ac #a #ef4i #hbe #bcbb #a #f #a #df4a #djd #bjcf #b #bg #b #eh4b #agaf #eagc #b #ai #j #ea4a #aabj #ddib #c #ac #c #ef4f #hfj #bdeg #c #e #c #de4a #cei #aggb #d #ac #a #eg4c #hgj #bdda #d #g #a #df4a #ddf #baaf #e;a #af #c #eg4e #ajch #bida #e;a #aj #j #dh4i #ehg #bech #e;b #ag #j #eg4c #ajfe #cjig #e;b #aj #a #dh4i #faa #bgda #f;a #bj #c #eg4f #abhh #chfi #f;a #af #c #ea4h #igh #cgee #f;b #bj #c #eg4e #acjj #cijd #f;b #ai #a #ea4h #ajgb #chgj #g;a #bf #b #ef4j #afae #edfe #g;a #bc #b #eb4b #acfi #eaaj #g;b #bf #c #ee4h #afac #edae #g;b #bc #b #ea4a #aceg #ejia #h;a #bg #c #ee4i #afii #eeje #h;a #bb #a #ea4a #acdf #ecab #h;b #bg #j #ee4i #afea #edbc #h;b #bd #b #ea4a #adbe #eceb #i;a #be #b #ee4f #aeia #ecje #i;a #aa #a #dg4g #fia #cjij #i;b #bd #a #ee4c #aeji #dhhc #i;b #aj #a #df4a #fdi #bijb #aj;a #ba #c #ee4i #acbj #dajg #aj;a #i #c #dh4i #fdb #bfia #aj;b #bb #j #eg4c #acdc #dafb #aj;b #ae #b #di4h #hif #cegh #aa;a #bd #j #ee4f #adgb #deec #aa;a #ag #b #ej4a #ajae #ceci #aa;b #bb #a #ee4i #achg #dbii #aa;b #ah #b #ea4a #ajgc #cghj #ab;a #bd #a #eg4d #aejc #dgfj #ab;a #bb #j #eb4j #abhc #didh #ab;b #bd #a #eg4c #adib #dgba #ab;b #bc #c #ea4a #acge #ejgi #ac;a #bd #j #eg4e #adhj #dgjb #ac;a #bb #a #eb4a #acda #ejde #ac;b #bc #c #eg4a #adgf #dgfe #ac;b #bc #b #ea4a #acif #ecjh #ad;a #bd #a #ef4i #aejg #ejed #ad;a #ba #b #ea4b #acbb #dgic #ad;b #be #j #ef4g #aecj #eacg #ad;b #bc #j #eb4f #acdg #eajh #ae;a #bc #a #eg4d #adea #dffc #ae;a #ai #j #ea4a #aadc #dejd #ae;b #be #j #ef4h #aebj #dida #ae;b #bc #b #ea4a #acea #eajg #af;a #bh #c #ee4j #agid #fdga #af;a #bd #a #eb4e #adif #fdjj #af;b #bh #j #ed4e #agjj #fcaf #af;b #be #c #eb4e #aecg #feef #ag;a #be #b #ef4e #aegg #ecaa #ag;a #h #a #di4h #ebj #beaf #ag;b #bd #a #ef4i #aebj #dihf #ag;b #h #c #dh4i #eci #beea #ah;a #ac #c #eg4j #hfi #beef #ah;a #ag #c #eb4i #aaaa #ddif #ah;b #ad #c #ef4g #iba #bfhe #ah;b #bj #c #eb4a #abef #ejeb #ai #bd #c #ef4a #aehb #digi #ai #ai #a #eb4f #aafj #dcgc #bj #ad #j #ef4f #hge #bdeb #bj #e #c #dg4h #dbe #bjhd #ba #ai #a #ef4i #aagg #cbhe #ba #ab #c #ej4d #gec #bicd #bb #ai #b #ee4i #aagf #ccee #bb #aj #a #di4d #eib #bdeb ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,table ,,xii4--,produce of the #aath ,season1 #ahec-d4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,november #ab1 #ahec2 ,crop cut ,august #ba1 and carted ,august #ca1 #ahed4 ,table ,,xiii4--,produce of the #abth ,season1 #ahed-e4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,november #i1 #ahed2 ,crop cut ,august #bf1 and carted ,september #b1 #ahee4 ,qty4 ,quantity4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw74 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,produce per ,acre1 ,produce per ,acre1 etc4 7,for the ,manures etc4 7,for the ,manures ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 l -------------------------- l -------------------------- o ,dressed ,corn4 o ,dressed ,corn4 t --------------- ,,tp t --------------- ,,tp s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j #bf #a #fa4j #afgb #cghf #j #ag #j #fj4g #ajif #bhbb #a #bd #a #fj4b #aebi #djfj #a #ah #b #fj4e #aagi #cjfi #b #da #j #fb4e #bfge #gabe #b #cd #b #fb4j #bbcg #fjhb #c #ba #j #fj4f #acei #cdif #c #ag #j #ei4b #ajgb #bhei #d #bc #c #fa4a #aeba #chei #d #ah #b #ei4e #aafh #cjjj #e;a #bd #a #fa4j #aegh #djih #e;a #ah #b #ei4i #aaeg #bigf #e;b #bd #j #fa4f #aecb #djce #e;b #ah #j #fj4a #aadc #bidc #f;a #cc #b #fa4h #bahf #fjca #f;a #bg #c #fj4c #agec #deij #f;b #cd #b #fa4h #bbci #fbid #f;b #bh #a #fj4i #ahaa #dhdh #g;a #de #b #fa4i #biej #heec #g;a #cb #b #ei4d #bjhd #eiie #g;b #de #a #fa4h #bidd #hddj #g;b #cc #a #ei4e #bach #fbif #h;a #dg #a #fa4d #cjfe #ibjj #h;a #bi #c #eh4h #aiji #egdg #h;b #di #b #fa4h #cbjh #icbe #h;b #cc #j #eh4g #baec #fdie #i;a #ch #c #fj4g #bdef #feih #i;a #bi #b #eh4c #aicb #ehgh #i;b #ch #c #fj4g #bdhj #fgbc #i;b #be #a #eg4c #afje #dhag #aj;a #cd #a #fj4e #bbaa #ehjh #aj;a #ai #c #eg4a #abhe #cgig #aj;b #ci #j #fa4f #bece #gjjc #aj;b #bh #j #eh4i #ahje #ejgc #aa;a #dd #b #fa4a #bhei #hjjf #aa;a #ah #c #ee4c #abaj #cfid #aa;b #dc #j #fa4b #bgef #gggf #aa;b #bd #b #ef4c #aehj #dgcc #ab;a #de #c #fb4b #biff #hdfi #ab;a #cj #j #ei4e #aidj #edgh #ab;b #de #a #fb4b #bici #hdab #ab;b #cc #b #fj4b #bagb #fahb #ac;a #de #j #fb4b #biac #hcaa #ac;a #bi #j #ei4i #aibd #edbg #ac;b #dc #c #fb4b #bheh #hdjc #ac;b #cb #b #fj4d #baaj #eihj #ad;a #de #a #fb4b #bidf #hdih #ad;a #bi #c #fj4j #aied #eeca #ad;b #dd #j #fb4b #bhfc #hbha #ad;b #cc #a #fj4j #baeh #eafa #ae;a #dc #a #fb4a #bhja #gfii #ae;a #ca #c #fj4j #bjcj #ehee #ae;b #dc #a #fb4d #bhaj #hjhc #ae;b #cc #c #fj4f #baic #fdae #af;a #di #b #fa4g #cbcj #iicb #af;a #cc #a #eh4b #bajj #ffcd #af;b #ej #j #fa4g #cbic #iibh #af #cb #b #eh4b #baae #gajf #ag;a #de #c #fb4a #bidh #hbah #ag;a #ah #c #fj4h #abbg #cbjc #ag;b #db #b #fb4b #bgcb #gfbi #ag;b #ag #j #fj4c #aaaj #biad #ah;a #bd #j #fa4b #aebf #cidd #ah;a #cb #c #fj4i #babg #fadd #ah;b #bc #b #fa4j #aeaa #chhh #ah;b #cc #a #fj4h #bagj #fche #ai #da #j #fa4g #bfff #gcdc #ai #cj #j #eh4g #aifg #ehah #bj #bb #c #fj4h #adde #cffb #bj #ag #b #fa4a #aaee #bihf #ba #cb #j #fa4b #bjcj #edgj #ba #bd #a #fj4h #aecc #cieb #bb #ca #c #fa4j #aiid #eccd #bb #bd #b #fj4a #aeec #djaj ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,table ,,xiv4--,produce of the #acth ,season1 #ahee-f4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,november #ac1 #ahee2 ,crop cut ,august #bf1 and carted ,september #c1 #ahef4 ,table ,,xv4--,produce of the #adth ,season1 #ahef-g4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,november #f1 #ahef2 ,crop cut ,august #ac1 and carted ,august #bb1 #aheg4 ,qty4 ,quantity4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw74 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,produce per ,acre1 ,produce per ,acre1 etc4 7,for the ,manures etc4 7,for the ,manures ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 l -------------------------- l -------------------------- o ,dressed ,corn4 o ,dressed ,corn4 t --------------- ,,tp t --------------- ,,tp s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j #ah #a #ef4h #aagi #cadh #j #ah #b #ei4j #aaha #bgbf #a #ag #j #ef4c #aajb #cjce #a #ag #b #ei4j #aaah #bfej #b #cf #a #eh4f #bbgg #feid #b #da #j #fj4d #behg #eiaj #c #ad #b #ed4c #hib #bdej #c #ai #c #eh4c #abcf #bhac #d #af #a #ee4e #ajbf #bgeg #d #bb #a #eh4h #achf #bieh #e;a #ah #c #ef4e #aafg #cagi #e;a #bb #c #ei4j #adji #cjbf #e;b #bj #a #ef4b #abdg #ccfi #e;b #bd #b #eh4h #aeab #cbdg #f;a #bg #a #eh4b #agag #dgfg #f;a #ce #a #ei4i #bbaa #difh #f;b #bh #j #eh4e #agee #dhdh #f;b #ce #a #ei4h #baic #diej #g;a #cg #a #eh4j #bcab #fhgb #g;a #dc #a #fj4e #bghb #fdfb #g;b #cf #b #eg4f #bbdd #ffdb #g;b #df #a #fj4c #bijb #fgic #h;a #dj #j #ef4h #bejg #gfhi #h;a #dg #c #fj4h #cjeh #gcee #h;b #cg #c #eg4a #bdjj #gdhi #h;b #dh #c #fj4f #cabi #gegi #i;a #cb #a #eg4b #bjai #ehid #i;a #dc #c #fj4a #bgfg #ffcd #i;b #bf #j #ef4c #afgi #dhca #i;b #cf #j #eh4j #bbbj #ebjc #aj;a #bd #j #ee4f #aeje #dcbc #aj;a #bi #j #eh4j #ahaf #dbjh #aj;b #bg #b #eg4b #agbg #dhie #aj;b #cd #b #eh4f #bahe #ejfj #aa;a #ca #c #eg4c #bjja #eeah #aa;a #ci #j #eh4e #bdcb #ecge #aa;b #cj #b #eg4e #aidf #echi #aa;b #ci #j #eh4j #bcig #ecag #ab;a #cc #c #eh4g #bajb #eidi #ab;a #dc #c #fj4d #bgdg #fcid #ab;b #cb #c #eh4h #bjgi #ehjd #ab;b #dc #b #fj4d #bgbi #fcab #ac;a #cb #a #eh4f #bjcf #eggi #ac;a #db #c #fj4f #bgad #fdba #ac;b #cj #c #eh4i #bjjh #efei #ac;b #dc #b #fj4e #bgci #fchf #ad;a #ce #j #eh4f #baie #fcig #ad;a #dc #c #fj4e #bgha #fdci #ad;b #cd #j #ei4j #bafb #fbgi #ad;b #db #c #fj4c #bfii #fcea #ae;a #cj #j #ei4a #aibc #eddd #ae;a #db #a #fj4d #bfha #fcfh #ae;b #cb #j #ei4d #bjde #egig #ae;b #dd #a #fj4j #bgfe #fedc #af;a #ch #j #eh4e #bdbf #giee #af;a #dh #c #fj4e #caca #ghad #af;b #cg #c #eh4g #bdej #giag #af;b #ej #j #fj4e #caid #ghig #ag;a #ca #b #ei4j #aihc #eeda #ag;a #bf #b #ei4a #afdb #cgjj #ag;b #cj #a #ei4a #aice #edjj #ag;b #be #c #eh4h #aehc #cebc #ah;a #ag #c #eg4h #aadj #caeb #ah;a #da #j #ei4g #beff #fjji #ah;b #ah #j #eg4g #aaca #cjfi #ah;b #dj #j #ei4h #beai #ehhd #ai #cb #a #eh4i #bjei #efba #ai #da #b #ei4e #bfjj #egic #bj #ag #j #eg4g #ajge #bifc #bj #ai #b #eh4d #abac #bggg #ba #bb #a #eh4j #acih #cibg #ba #bd #j #fj4f #aech #ccec #bb #ba #a #eg4h #acea #chdi #bb #bc #j #fj4f #adia #cbih ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,table ,,xvi4--,produce of the #aeth ,season1 #aheg-h4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,november #c and #aa1 #aheg2 ,crop cut ,august #i1 and carted ,august #bj1 #aheh4 ,table ,,xvii4--,produce of the #afth ,season1 #aheh-i4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,november #d1 #aheh2 ,crop cut ,august #d1 and carted ,august #bj1 #ahei4 ,qty4 ,quantity4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw74 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,produce per ,acre1 ,produce per ,acre1 etc4 7,for the ,manures etc4 7,for the ,manures ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 l -------------------------- l -------------------------- o ,dressed ,corn4 o ,dressed ,corn4 t --------------- ,,tp t --------------- ,,tp s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j #bj #c #fa4b #accb #cbcd #j #ba #b #ed4j #abed #cefd #a #af #a #fj4g #ajee #bfhe #a #ai #c #ee4j #aahi #cdhi #b #ch #c #fb4f #beab #fcdi #b #cf #j #ef4e #bbfc #gjgc #c #ah #j #fj4d #aada #bhaa #c #ah #a #eb4e #ajea #cbbf #d #ai #j #fa4a #abjf #bhgi #d #ai #j #ee4j #aahh #cdah #e;a #ah #b #fa4e #aahg #bgai #e;a #bj #b #ef4j #abgg #cfjj #e;b #ai #a #fa4d #abbg #bhgj #e;b #bj #b #ef4j #abgc #cfff #f;a #bh #b #fb4a #ahah #dcie #f;a #bi #b #ef4e #ahjh #eeee #f;b #bi #j #fb4a #ahej #defc #f;b #cj #j #ef4e #ahee #egjh #g;a #ch #b #fa4i #bdej #fdae #g;a #cd #b #ee4i #bjig #fggd #g;b #ci #b #fb4c #becj #ffbb #g;b #cd #b #ee4i #bjhi #fhib #h;a #da #c #fa4h #bfhj #gcdg #h;a #cd #c #ed4j #bjfh #gdba #h;b #da #c #fa4g #bfge #gcdb #h;b #cd #j #ec4d #bjjg #gfjd #i;a #cg #b #fj4h #bchd #fgja #i;a #cj #j #ed4e #ahjf #gjgf #i;b #bc #b #eh4h #adgj #daeh #i;b #bd #b #ej4e #adab #ejjb #aj;a #bb #c #ei4f #adci #cefi #aj;a #ah #c #ea4e #abjg #cicg #aj;b #bg #c #fa4d #agge #dcij #aj;b #be #b #eb4e #aejj #dibj #aa;a #cj #c #fj4e #aigg #dggd #aa;a #bf #c #ea4d #afbh #eaee #aa;b #cc #j #fj4d #bjii #eaag #aa;b #bg #c #ea4c #afih #ebge #ab;a #cg #c #fb4a #bdcg #fajj #ab;a #cd #b #ed4e #bjfj #ffaj #ab;b #cg #j #fb4a #bchg #fjfj #ab;b #cd #c #ed4h #baae #fheh #ac;a #cg #j #fb4a #bchd #fjgg #ac;a #cd #j #ee4j #bjcg #fggd #ac;b #cg #j #fb4g #bcig #fjgd #ac;b #cd #c #ee4j #bjhg #fhid #ad;a #cg #c #fb4a #bdac #faej #ad;a #cd #a #ed4e #bjed #fhag #ad;b #ch #a #fb4j #bdcf #fadf #ad;b #cd #b #ed4e #bjgd #fggd #ae;a #ce #a #fb4f #bbhe #ehjj #ae;a #cd #j #ee4j #bjec #fhbf #ae;b #cg #b #fb4h #bdcf #facd #ae;a #ce #j #ee4j #bjie #gjhh #af;a #da #c #fb4a #bgjb #gdii #af;a #cd #c #eb4f #bjbf #giec #af;b #db #j #fb4a #bgag #gecj #af;b #cd #a #eb4f #bjje #ggih #ag;a #cc #a #fb4e #baej #ecec #ag;a #ba #a #ee4j #abdg #cgcj #ag;b #cc #c #fb4e #baha #edee #ag;b #ai #c #ed4e #aafh #ceda #ah;a #bb #c #fb4c #adgb #cdhj #ah;a #cb #c #ee4e #aigc #fejf #ah;b #bj #b #fb4d #acch #ccje #ah;b #cb #b #ef4j #aihj #ffcj #ai #cc #a #fb4e #bagg #ecfb #ai #cj #b #ee4e #aijc #eibf #bj #ag #j #fj4c #ajhi #bhai #bj #ag #c #eb4e #ajci #cbef #ba #bd #a #fa4e #aegd #cidg #ba #bf #a #ed4j #aech #dgbc #bb #bb #j #fa4e #adab #ceib #bb #bd #j #ee4j #adfj #dddj ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,table ,,xviii4--,produce of the #agth ,season1 #ahei-fj4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,november #ag1 #ahei2 ,crop cut ,september #ag and #ai1 and carted ,october #e1 #aheh4 ,table ,,xix4--,produce of the #ahth ,season1 #ahfj-a4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,november #e1 #ahfj2 ,crop cut ,august #bj1 and carted ,august #bg1 #ahfa4 ,qty4 ,quantity4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw74 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,produce per ,acre1 ,produce per ,acre1 etc4 7,for the ,manures etc4 7,for the ,manures ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 l -------------------------- l -------------------------- o ,dressed ,corn4 o ,dressed ,corn4 t --------------- ,,tp t --------------- ,,tp s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j #ad #a #ec4e #hbf #bbga #j #ae #a #eg4f #ajja #bgfi #a #ab #a #eb4h #gag #bjig #a #ab #c #eg4f #hbh #bbae #b #cb #a #ee4e #ahfd #ecjd #b #cd #c #fj4e #bbjb #ecjc #c #ab #c #eb4f #gch #baig #c #aa #a #eg4d #gcf #aiij #d #ad #b #ec4j #hcb #bceb #d #aa #c #eh4j #hfc #baic #e;a #ae #b #ed4j #ijc #bdhc #e;a #ae #a #ei4a #ajdg #bedj #e;b #af #j #ec4a #ice #beie #e;b #ae #a #ei4j #ajhb #bfib #f;a #ba #j #ec4g #abaj #ccic #f;a #bg #a #ei4e #agee #dcbh #f;b #bb #c #ed4b #acbf #cgai #f;b #bg #c #ei4d #ahah #deja #g;a #bg #c #ed4c #afab #dfae #g;a #ce #b #ei4j #bbfc #egfd #g;b #bg #b #ed4c #aeig #dgcd #g;b #cd #a #ei4j #bahc #egch #h;a #cj #c #eb4h #agei #efci #h;a #cf #j #eh4c #bbij #fbjc #h;b #ca #b #eb4c #aghg #efjj #h;b #cd #j #eh4e #baij #eihe #i;a #cb #b #ea4e #aheh #ffce #i;a #cc #c #ef4h #bafb #ffjg #i;b #ai #b #dh4e #aaee #dbhe #i;b #ac #c #ec4i #iji #cjgi #aj;a #ae #j #di4e #ije #caah #aj;a #ab #c #ee4j #hed #bghd #aj;b #ah #b #ea4j #ajfj #cdbj #aj;b #ae #c #ee4e #ajcc #caif #aa;a #bb #a #ea4j #abgj #cggc #aa;a #bc #a #ee4c #adee #djcb #aa;b #bb #a #ea4b #acjg #djjj #aa;b #be #j #ee4h #aegh #dbbc #ab;a #bh #j #ec4d #afdh #dhgh #ab;a #cb #a #eh4a #bjji #ebja #ab;b #bf #b #ec4e #aegg #dffd #ab;b #cc #a #eh4g #badd #edha #ac;a #bf #j #ed4c #aege #defh #ac;a #cc #a #ei4i #bafh #edhf #ac;b #bg #j #ec4h #afjj #dfcg #ac;b #ce #j #fj4j #bcjd #egid #ad;a #bg #a #ec4g #aehc #dfcf #ad;a #cc #j #ei4a #babe #eejb #ad;b #bg #j #ec4b #aefc #dfff #ad;b #cc #c #ei4c #bagc #edgf #ae;a #be #a #ec4h #aeaj #dchg #ae;a #cd #a #fj4j #bahh #eejf #ae;b #bh #j #ed4j #afad #dgjd #ae;b #cd #c #fj4b #bbdi #egbg #af;a #cb #b #eb4j #ahef #eigc #af;a #cf #a #eh4j #bcch #fgfa #af;b #cb #c #ea4g #ahhi #fjif #af;b #cg #b #eh4f #bdcb #fgge #ag;a #bd #j #ed4a #adji #daji #ag;a #ai #a #ei4c #abbi #bihb #ag;b #bf #a #ed4c #aedh #deah #ag;b #ah #j #ei4a #aaff #bhbi #ah;a #ae #a #ed4e #ibi #bfdi #ah;a #cb #a #ei4f #bfej #eadd #ah;b #af #a #ed4f #ifc #bgjf #ah;b #cc #a #ei4e #babb #eddf #ai #bd #j #ec4j #adce #dagh #ai #cb #b #eh4h #bajg #ecde #bj #ab #j #ea4e #gbb #baee #bj #ac #j #eg4i #hgb #bcdj #ba #ae #b #eb4e #hic #bfci #ba #af #a #eh4b #aaji #bgdi #bb #ac #c #ec4h #hdg #bdad #bb #ai #b #eh4e #acjf #cbfc ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,table ,,xx4--,produce of the #aith ,season1 #ahfa-b4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,october #be1 #ahfa2 ,crop cut ,august #bi1 and carted ,september #ab1 #ahfb4 ,table ,,xxi4--,produce of the #bjth ,season1 #ahfb-c4 ,seed 7,red ,rostock7 sown ,november #ag1 #ahfb2 ,crop cut ,august #aj1 and carted ,august #ah1 #ahfc4 ,qty4 ,quantity4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,weight per ,bushel4 ,,tc ,total ,corn4 ,,tp_/,c,s ,total ,produce 7,corn and ,straw74 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,produce per ,acre1 ,produce per ,acre1 etc4 7,for the ,manures etc4 7,for the ,manures ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 ,p see pp4 #bjb and #bjc47 l -------------------------- l -------------------------- o ,dressed ,corn4 o ,dressed ,corn4 t --------------- ,,tp t --------------- ,,tp s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s s ,qty4 ,wt_/,bu4 ,,tc ,c,s ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,bu4 ,pks4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #j #ai #c #eh4e #abbh #cbeh #j #bb #j #fb4f #adbi #cbed #a #af #b #eh4j #ajbd #bggb #a #bj #c #fb4h #accd #cjgi #b #ch #a #fa4j #bddg #ffdb #b #dd #j #fc4a #bhhf #gafe #c #af #j #eg4h #iif #bgji #c #ag #a #fb4g #aabg #bgbg #d #af #b #eh4e #ajdi #bgaa #d #bj #a #fb4c #acjc #bieg #e;a #ag #c #ei4j #aaai #biei #e;a #ai #b #fc4j #abhc #bigj #e;b #ag #b #ei4j #aaja #bifa #e;b #ai #c #fc4j #abif #cjfd #f;a #bg #b #ei4e #agae #deed #f;a #ci #a #fb4c #bebb #fbcf #f;b #bh #c #ei4h #agig #dhig #f;b #ci #c #fb4c #becd #fbej #g;a #ce #b #ei4c #bbjj #fajf #g;a #ec #a #fb4f #cdgg #iccj #g;b #cf #j #ei4e #bbfe #fagh #g;b #ed #j #fb4e #cejg #iche #h;a #ci #c #ei4b #bdgg #gbjj #h;a #ef #b #fb4c #cffhajchc #h;b #ci #j #ei4j #bdeb #gjhg #h;b #ed #c #fb4c #ceeiajjdh #i;a #dc #a #ei4e #bfhh #hgch #i;a #ee #b #fb4a #cegf #ihhh #i;b #be #c #ef4c #afda #dhig #i;b #da #a #fb4e #bgbc #fibj #aj;a #bc #j #ef4e #adeg #djej #aj;a #ci #j #fb4f #behg #fjfh #aj;b #bd #c #eg4e #afjj #dddc #aj;b #dc #b #fb4h #bheh #fiad #aa;a #bf #b #eh4j #agjf #dedh #aa;a #de #j #fb4e #bigi #gbab #aa;b #bg #j #eh4j #agcd #dfjg #aa;b #df #b #fb4a #cjfj #geai #ab;a #cd #a #eh4j #bjif #egde #ab;a #ed #b #fb4a #cecc #higf #ab;b #cc #j #eh4j #bjbe #efcd #ab;b #ec #a #fb4b #cded #hhai #ac;a #ca #c #eh4j #aiec #eedb #ac;a #ec #a #fb4f #cdec #iaib #ac;b #cb #b #eh4j #bjai #efia #ac;b #ec #a #fb4e #cdci #ibch #ad;a #cj #a #eh4j #ahhf #ebhc #ad;a #ed #a #fb4e #cebg #hihf #ad;b #cb #j #eh4a #bjjh #eeeh #ad;b #ec #a #fb4e #cdej #hgdi #ae;a #cj #a #eh4c #ahgb #ebfh #ae;a #dh #a #fb4e #caad #hbgf #ae;b #cb #b #eh4c #bjbi #eghg #ae;b #dh #j #fb4i #cabg #hbdj #af;a #cf #a #eh4j #bbbe #fgeb #af;a #ef #b #fb4d #cgajajgag #af;b #cf #j #eg4e #bbcc #fgcj #af;b #ee #j #fb4c #cfjgajccb #ag;a #bg #c #eh4a #agdg #dhbg #ag;a #ba #j #fb4h #acgj #cbhh #ag;b #bg #b #eh4a #afhe #dgfb #ag;b #ba #a #fb4h #achi #cbib #ah;a #ah #a #eh4e #aafh #cafa #ah;a #df #a #fb4f #cjjf #ghhi #ah;b #ah #b #eh4e #aaie #ccce #ah;b #df #j #fb4h #cjji #ggcg #ai #bc #a #eg4b #adgi #dacb #ai #df #b #fb4i #cjed #gegg #bj #ab #a #eg4c #hah #bcce #bj #ag #b #fb4e #aacg #bfji #ba #bj #a #eh4a #abgc #cdfe #ba #bg #b #fb4e #agif #dbgi #bb #bj #j #eh4j #abej #cdcj #bb #bi #c #fb4d #aijg #deii ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,the ninth season 7#ahea-b71 was unusually cold in ,june and wet in ,august4 ,it will be seen that the wheat1 both in quantity and quality1 is the poorest since the commencement of the experiments4 ,the unmanured plot gave less than #ad bushels of dressed grain per acre2 the plot with barn-yard manure1 less than #bh bushels1 and the best yield in the whole series was not quite #bi bushels per acre1 and only weighed #ee lbs4 per bushel4 ,on the same plot1 the year before1 with precisely the same manure1 the yield was nearly #cg bushels per acre1 and the weight per bushel1 #fc lbs4 ,so much for a favorable and an unfavorable season4 ,the tenth season 7#aheb-c71 was still more unfavorable4 ,the autumn of #aheb was so wet that it was impossible to work the land and sow the wheat until the #afth of ,march #ahec4 ,you will see that the produce on the unmanured plot was less than #f bushels per acre4 ,with barn-yard manure1 #ai bushels1 and with a heavy dressing of ammonia-salts and minerals1 not quite #bf bushels per acre4 ,with a heavy dressing of superphosphate1 not quite #i bushels per acre1 and with a full dressing of mixed mineral manures and superphosphate1 #aj bushels per acre4 ,the weight per bushel on the unmanured plot was #de lbs42 with mixed mineral manures1 #dh lbs42 with ammonia-salts alone1 #dh lbs42 with barn-yard manure1 #ea lbs42 and with ammonia-salts and mixed mineral manures1 #eb lbs4 ,farmers are greatly dependent on the season1 but the good farmer1 who keeps up the fertility of his land stands a better chance of making money 7or of losing less71 than the farmer who depends on the unaided products of the soil4 ,the one gets #f bushels per acre1 and #a1dac lbs4 of straw of very inferior quality2 the other gets #bj to #bf bushels per acre1 and #e1jjj lbs4 of straw4 ,and you must recollect that in an unfavorable season we are pretty certain to get high prices4 ,the eleventh season 7#ahec-d17 gives us much more attractive-looking figures6 ,we have over #ba bushels per acre on the plot which has grown eleven crops of wheat in eleven years without any manure4 ,with barn-yard manure1 over #da bushels per acre4 ,with ammonia-salts alone 7#ag;a71 #de bushels4 ,with ammonia-salts and mixed minerals1 7#af;b71 over #ej bushels per acre1 and #f1fce lbs4 of straw4 ,a total produce of nearly #e tons per acre4 ,the twelfth season 7#ahed-e71 gives us #ag bushels of wheat per acre on the continuously unmanured plot4 ,over #cd bushels on the plot manured with barn-yard manure4 ,and ,i think1 for the first time since the commencement of the experiments1 this plot produces the largest yield of any plot in the field4 ,and well it may1 for it has now had1 in twelve years1 #afh tons of barn-yard manure per acre6 ,several of the plots with ammonia-salts and mixed minerals1 are nearly up to it in grain1 and ahead of it in straw4 ,the thirteenth season 7#ahee-f71 gives #ad bushels on the unmanured plot2 over #cf bushels on the plot manured with barn-yard manure2 and over #dj bushels on #h;a1 dressed with #fjj lbs4 ammonia-salts and mixed mineral manures4 ,it will be noticed that #hjj lbs4 ammonia-salts does not give quite as large a yield this year as #fjj lbs4 ,i suppose #dj bushels per acre was all that the season was capable of producing1 and an extra quantity of ammonia did no good4 #djj lbs4 of ammonia-salts1 on #g;a1 produced #cg bushels per acre1 and #hjj lbs4 on #af;b1 only #cg bushels4 ,that extra half bushel of wheat was produced at considerable cost4 ,the fourteenth season 7#ahef-g71 gives #bj bushels per acre on the unmanured plot1 and #da bushels on the plot with barn-yard manure4 ,mixed mineral manures alone on #e;a gives nearly #bc bushels per acre4 ,mixed mineral manures and #bjj lbs4 ammonia-salts1 on #f;a1 give #ce bushels4 ,in other words the ammonia gives us over #ab extra bushels of wheat1 and #a1adj lbs4 of straw4 ,mineral manures and #djj lbs4 ammonia-salts1 on #g;b1 give #df bushels per acre4 ,mineral manures and #fjj lbs4 ammonia-salts1 on #h;b1 give nearly #di bushels per acre4 ,mineral manures and #hjj lbs4 of ammonia-salts1 on #af;b1 give #ej bushels per acre1 and #d1gjc lbs4 of straw4 8,this exceedingly heavy manuring10 said the ,deacon1 8does not pay4 ,for instance1 8#bjj lbs4 ammonia-salts give an increase of #ab bushels per acre4 #djj 0 0 0 0 #bc 0 0 #fjj 0 0 0 0 #bf 0 0 #hjj 0 0 0 0 #bg 0 0 ,the ,deacon is right1 and ,mr4 ,lawes and ,dr4 ,gilbert call especial attention to this point4 ,the #bjj lbs4 of ammonia-salts contain about #ej lbs4 of ammonia1 and the #djj lbs41 #ajj lbs4 of ammonia4 ,and as ,i have said1 #ajj lbs4 of ammonia per acre is an unusually heavy dressing4 ,it is as much ammonia as is contained in #a1jjj lbs4 of average ,peruvian guano4 ,we will recur to this subject4 ,the fifteenth season 7#aheg-h17 gives a yield of #ah bushels of wheat per acre on the continuously unmanured plot1 and nearly #ci bushels on the plot continuously manured with #ad tons of barnyard manure4 ,mixed mineral manures on #e;a and #e;b1 give a mean yield of less than #ai bushels per acre4 ,mixed mineral manures and #ajj lbs4 ammonia-salts1 on plots #ba and #bb1 give #bc bushels per acre4 ,in other words3 #be lbs4 ammonia1 gives an increase of #d bush4 7#ajj lbs4 ammonia-salts7 #ej 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 #aj 0 7#bjj 0 0 0 7 #ajj 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 #bj 0 7#djj 0 0 0 7 #aej 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 #bc 0 7#fjj 0 0 0 7 #bjj 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 #bc 0 7#hjj 0 0 0 7 8,it takes10 said the ,deacon1 8about #e lbs4 of ammonia to produce a bushel of wheat4 ,and according to this1 #ejj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano1 guaranteed to contain #aj per cent of ammonia1 would give an increase of #aj bushels of wheat40 8,this is a very interesting matter10 said ,i1 8but we will not discuss it at present4 ,let us continue the examination of the subject4 ,i do not propose to make many remarks on the tables4 ,you must study them for yourself4 ,i have spent hours and days and weeks making and pondering over these tables4 ,the more you study them the more interesting and instructive they become40 ,the sixteenth season 7#aheh-i71 gives us a little over #ah bushels on the unmanured plot4 ,on the plot manured with #ad tons farmyard manure1 #cf bushels2 and this is the highest yield this season in the wheat-field4 ,mixed mineral manures alone1 7mean of plot #e;a and #e;b71 give #bj bushels4 #be lbs4 ammonia 7#ajj lbs4 ammonia-salts71 and mixed minerals1 give #be bushels1 or an increase over minerals alone of #d bushels4 #ej lbs4 ammonia1 an increase of #i bushels4 #ajj 0 0 0 0 0 #ad 0 #aej 0 0 0 0 0 #ad 0 #bjj 0 0 0 0 0 #ad 0 ,the season was an unfavorable one for excessive manuring4 ,it was too wet and the crops of wheat when highly manured were much laid4 ,the quality of the grain was inferior1 as will be seen from the light weight per bushel4 ,the seventeenth season 7#ahei-fj17 gives less than #ac bushels per acre on the unmanured plot2 and #cb bushels on the plot manured with #ad tons farm-yard manure4 ,this season 7#ahfj71 was a miserable year for wheat in ,england4 ,it was both cold and wet4 ,mixed mineral manures1 on plots #e;a and #e;b1 gave nearly #af bushels per acre4 #be lbs4 ammonia1 in addition to the above1 gave less than #ae bushels4 ,in other words it gave no increase at all4 #ej lbs4 ammonia1 gave an increase of #f bushels4 #ajj 0 0 0 0 0 0 #aa 0 #aej 0 0 0 0 0 0 #ae 0 #bjj 0 0 0 0 0 0 #af 0 ,it was a poor year for the wheat-grower1 and that1 whether he manured excessively1 liberally1 moderately1 or not at all4 8,i do not quite see that10 said the ,deacon1 8the farm-yard manure gave an increase of nearly #bj bushels per acre4 ,and the quality of the grain must have been much better1 as it weighed #c lbs4 per bushel more than the plot unmanured4 ,if the wheat doubled in price1 as it ought to do in such a poor year1 ,i do not see but that the good farmer who had in previous years made his land rich1 would come out ahead40 8,good for the ,deacon10 said ,i4 8#8,is ,saul also among the prophets8'0 ,if the ,deacon continues to study these experiments much longer1 we shall have him advocating chemical manures and high farming6 ,the eighteenth season 7#ahfj-a17 gave less than #aa bushels per acre on the unmanured plot2 and nearly #ce bushels on the manured plot4 ,the mixed mineral manures1 gave nearly #ae bushels4 0 0 0 and #be lbs4 ammonia #ah 0 0 0 0 0 #ej 0 0 #bg 0 0 0 0 0 #ajj 0 0 #ce 0 0 0 0 0 #aej 0 0 #ce 0 0 0 0 0 #bjj 0 0 #cg 0 ,the nineteenth season 7#ahfa-b17 gave #af bushels per acre on the unmanured plot1 and over #ch bushels on the plot manured with farm-yard manure4 ,mixed mineral manures1 gave nearly #ah bushels per acre4 0 0 0 and #be lbs4 ammonia #bj 0 0 0 0 0 0 #ej 0 0 #bh 0 0 0 0 0 0 #ajj 0 0 #cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 #aej 0 0 #ci 0 0 0 0 0 0 #bjj 0 0 #cf 0 0 ,the twentieth season 7#ahfb-c71 gave #ag bushels on the unmanured plot1 and #dd bushels per acre on the manured plot4 ,mixed mineral manures alone gave #ai bushels per acre4 0 0 0 and #be lbs4 ammonia #bh 0 0 0 0 0 0 #ej 0 0 #ci 0 0 0 0 0 0 #ajj 0 0 #ec 0 0 0 0 0 0 #aej 0 0 #ee 0 0 0 0 0 0 #bjj 0 0 #ef 0 0 ,when we consider that this is the twentieth wheat-crop in succession on the same land1 these figures are certainly remarkable4 8,they are so10 said the ,deacon1 8and what to me is the most surprising thing about the whole matter is1 that the plot which has had no manure of any kind for #be years1 and has grown #bj wheat-crops in #bj successive years1 should still produce a crop of wheat of #ag bushels per acre4 ,many of our farmers do not average #aj bushels per acre4 ,mr4 ,lawes must either have very good land1 or else the climate of ,england is better adapted for wheat-growing than ,western ,new ,york40 8,i do not think10 said ,i1 8that ,mr4 ,lawes' land is any better than yours or mine2 and ,i do not think the climate of ,england is any more favorable for growing wheat without manure than our climate4 ,if there is any difference it is in our favor40 8,why1 then10 asked the ,doctor1 8do we not grow as much wheat per acre as ,mr4 ,lawes gets from his continuously unmanured plot80 ,this is a question not difficult to answer4 #ast4 ,we grow too many weeds4 ,mr4 ,lawes plowed the land twice every year2 and the crop was hoed once or twice in the spring to kill the weeds4 #b;d4 ,we do not half work our heavy land4 ,we do not plow it enough--do not cultivate1 harrow1 and roll enough4 ,i have put wheat in on my own farm1 and have seen others do the same thing1 when the drill on the clay-spots could not deposit the seed an inch deep4 ,there is 8plant-food0 enough in these 8clay-spots0 to give #ag bushels of wheat per acre--or perhaps #dj bushels--but we shall not get ten bushels4 ,the wheat will not come up until late in the autumn--the plants will be weak and thin on the ground2 and if they escape the winter they will not get a fair hold of the ground until ,april or ,may4 ,you know the result4 ,the straw is full of sap1 and is almost sure to rust2 the grain shrinks up1 and we harvest the crop1 not because it is worth the labor1 but because we cannot cut the wheat with a machine on the better parts of the field without cutting these poor spots also4 ,an acre or two of poor spots pull down the average yield of the field below the average of ,mr4 ,lawes' well-worked but unmanured land4 #c;d4 ,much of our wheat is seriously injured by stagnant water in the soil1 and standing water on the surface4 ,i think we may safely say that one-third the wheat-crop of this county 7,monroe ,co41 ,n4,y471 is lost for want of better tillage and better draining--and yet we think we have as good wheat-land and are as good farmers as can be found in this country or any other6 ,unless we drain land1 where drainage is needed1 and unless we work land thoroughly that needs working1 and unless we kill the weeds or check their excessive growth1 it is poor economy to sow expensive manures on our wheat-crops4 ,but ,i do not think there is much danger of our falling into this error4 ,the farmers who try artificial manures are the men who usually take the greatest pains to make the best and most manure from the animals kept on the farm4 ,they know what manures cost and what they are worth4 ,as a rule1 too1 such men are good farmers1 and endeavor to work their land thoroughly and keep it clean4 ,when this is the case1 there can be little doubt that we can often use artificial manures to great advantage4 8,you say10 said the ,deacon1 who had been looking over the tables while ,i was talking1 8that mixed mineral manures and #ej lbs4 of ammonia give #ci bushels per acre4 ,now these mixed mineral manures contain potash1 soda1 magnesia1 and superphosphate4 ,and ,i see where superphosphate was used without any potash1 soda1 and magnesia1 but with the same amount of ammonia1 the yield is nearly #df bushels per acre4 ,this does not say much in favor of potash1 soda1 and magnesia1 as manures1 for wheat4 ,again1 ,i see1 on plot #aj;b1 #ej lbs4 of ammonia1 alone1 gives over #dc bushels per acre4 ,on plot #aa;b1 #ej lbs4 ammonia and superphosphate1 give #df bushels4 ,like your father1 ,i am inclined to ask1 #8,where can ,i get this ammonia8'0 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,,lime ,,as ,a ,,manure4 ,these careful1 systematic1 and long-continued experiments of ,lawes and ,gilbert seem to prove that if you have a piece of land well prepared for wheat1 which will produce1 without manure1 say #ae bushels per acre1 there is no way of making that land produce #cj bushels of wheat per acre1 without directly or indirectly furnishing the soil with a liberal supply of available nitrogen or ammonia4 8,what do you mean by directly or indirectly80 asked the ,deacon4 8,what ,i had in my mind10 said ,i1 8was the fact that ,i have seen a good dressing of lime double the yield of wheat4 ,in such a case ,i suppose the lime decomposes the organic matter in the soil1 or in some other way sets free the nitrogen or ammonia already in the soil2 or the lime forms compounds in the soil which attract ammonia from the atmosphere4 ,be this as it may1 the facts brought out by ,mr4 ,lawes' experiments warrant us in concluding that the increased growth of wheat was connected in some way with an increased supply of available nitrogen or ammonia40 ,my father used great quantities of lime as manure4 ,he drew it a distance of #ac miles1 and usually applied it on land intended for wheat1 spreading it broad-cast1 after the land had received its last plowing1 and harrowing it in1 a few days or weeks before sowing the wheat4 ,he rarely applied less than #ajj bushels of stone-lime to the acre--generally #aej bushels4 ,he used to say that a small dose of lime did little or no good4 ,he wanted to use enough to change the general character of the land--to make the light land firmer and the heavy land lighter4 ,while ,i was with ,mr4 ,lawes and ,dr4 ,gilbert at ,rothamsted1 ,i went home on a visit4 ,my father had a four-horse team drawing lime every day1 and putting it in large heaps in the field to slake1 before spreading it on the land for wheat4 8,i do not believe it pays you to draw so much lime10 said ,i1 with the confidence which a young man who has learned a little of agricultural chemistry1 is apt to feel in his newly acquired knowledge4 8,perhaps not10 said my father1 8but we have got to do something for the land1 or the crops will be poor1 and poor crops do not pay these times4 ,what would you use instead of lime80 --8,lime is not a manure1 strictly speaking10 said ,i2 8a bushel to the acre would furnish all the lime the crops require1 even if there was not an abundant supply already in the soil4 ,if you mix lime with guano1 it sets free the ammonia2 and when you mix lime with the soil it probably decomposes some compounds containing ammonia or the elements of ammonia1 and thus furnishes a supply of ammonia for the plants4 ,i think it would be cheaper to buy ammonia in the shape of ,peruvian guano40 ,after dinner1 my father asked me to take a walk over the farm4 ,we came to a field of barley4 ,standing at one end of the field1 about the middle1 he asked me if ,i could see any difference in the crop4 8,oh1 yes10 ,i replied1 8the barley on the right-hand is far better than on the left hand4 ,the straw is stiffer and brighter1 and the heads larger and heavier4 ,i should think the right half of the field will be ten bushels per acre better than the other40 8,so ,i think10 he said1 8and now can you tell me why80 --8,probably you manured one half the field for turnips1 and not the other half40 --8,no40 --8,you may have drawn off the turnips from half the field1 and fed them off by sheep on the other half40 --8,no1 both sides were treated precisely alike40 --,i gave it up --8,well10 said he1 8this half the field on the right-hand was limed1 thirty years ago1 and that is the only reason ,i know for the difference4 ,and now you need not tell me that lime does not pay40 ,i can well understand how this might happen4 ,the system of rotation adopted was1 #ast clover1 #b;d wheat1 #c;d turnips1 #dth barley1 seeded with clover4 ,now1 you put on1 say #aej bushels of lime for wheat4 ,after the wheat the land is manured and sown with turnips4 ,the turnips are eaten off on the land by sheep2 and it is reasonable to suppose that on the half of the field dressed with lime there would be a much heavier crop of turnips4 ,these turnips being eaten off by the sheep would furnish more manure for this half than the other half4 ,then again1 when the land was in grass or clover1 the limed half would afford more and sweeter grass and clover than the other half1 and the sheep would remain on it longer4 ,they would eat it close into the ground1 going only on to the other half when they could not get enough to eat on the limed half4 ,more of their droppings would be left on the limed half of the field4 ,the lime1 too1 would continue to act for several years2 but even after all direct benefit from the lime had ceased1 it is easy to understand why the crops might be better for a long period of time4 8,do you think lime would do any good10 asked the ,deacon1 8on our limestone land80--,i certainly do4 ,so far as ,i have seen1 it does just as much good here in ,western ,new ,york1 as it did on my father's farm4 ,i should use it very freely if we could get it cheap enough--but we are charged from #be to #cj cts4 a bushel for it1 and ,i do not think at these rates it will pay to use it4 ,even gold may be bought too dear4 8,you should burn your own lime10 said the ,deacon1 8you have plenty of limestone on the farm1 and could use up your down wood40--,i believe it would pay me to do so1 but one man cannot do everything4 ,i think if farmers would use more lime for manure we should get it cheaper4 ,the demand would increase with competition1 and we should soon get it at its real value4 ,at #aj to #ae cents a bushel1 ,i feel sure that we could use lime as a manure with very great benefit4 8,i was much interested some years ago10 said the ,doctor1 8in the results of ,prof4 ,way's investigations in regard to the absorptive powers of soils40 ,his experiments1 since repeated and confirmed by other chemists1 formed a new epoch in agricultural chemistry4 ,they afforded some new suggestions in regard to how lime may benefit land4 ,prof4 ,way found that ordinary soils possessed the power of separating1 from solution in water1 the different earthy and alkaline substances presented to them in manure2 thus1 when solutions of salts of ammonia1 of potash1 magnesia1 etc41 were made to filter slowly through a bed of dry soil1 five or six inches deep1 arranged in a flower-pot1 or other suitable vessel1 it was observed that the liquid which ran through1 no longer contained any of the ammonia or other salt employed4 ,the soil had1 in some form or other1 retained the alkaline substance1 while the water in which it was previously dissolved passed through4 ,further1 this power of the soil was found not to extend to the whole salt of ammonia or potash1 but only to the alkali itself4 ,if1 for instance1 sulphate of ammonia were the compound used in the experiments1 the ammonia would be removed from solution1 but the filtered liquid would contain sulphuric acid in abundance--not in the free or uncombined form1 but united to lime2 instead of sulphate of ammonia we should find sulphate of lime in the solution2 and this result was obtained1 whatever the acid of the salt experimented upon might be4 ,it was found1 moreover1 that the process of filtration was by no means necessary2 by the mere mixing of an alkaline solution with a proper quantity of soil1 as by shaking them together in a bottle1 and allowing the soil to subside1 the same result was obtained4 ,the action1 therefore1 was in no way referable to any physical law brought into operation by the process of filtration4 ,it was also found that the combination between the soil and the alkaline substance was rapid1 if not instantaneous1 partaking of the nature of the ordinary union between an acid and an alkali4 ,in the course of these experiments1 several different soils were operated upon1 and it was found that all soils capable of profitable cultivation possessed this property in a greater or less degree4 ,pure sand1 it was found1 did not possess this property4 ,the organic matter of the soil1 it was proved1 had nothing to do with it4 ,the addition of carbonate of lime to a soil did not increase its absorptive power1 and indeed it was found that a soil in which carbonate of lime did not exist1 possessed in a high degree the power of removing ammonia or potash from solution4 ,to what1 then1 is the power of soils to arrest ammonia1 potash1 magnesia1 phosphoric acid1 etc41 owing8 ,the above experiments lead to the conclusion that it is due to the clay which they contain4 ,in the language of ,prof4 ,way1 however1 8,it still remained to be considered1 whether the whole clay took any active part in these changes1 or whether there existed in clay some chemical compound in small quantity to which the action was due4 ,this question was to be decided by the extent to which clay was able to unite with ammonia1 or other alkaline bases2 and it soon became evident that the idea of the clay as a whole1 being the cause of the absorptive property1 was inconsistent with all the ascertained laws of chemical combination40 ,after a series of experiments1 ,prof4 ,way came to the conclusion that there is in clays a peculiar class of double silicates to which the absorptive properties of soil are due4 ,he found that the double silicate of alumina and lime1 or soda1 whether found naturally in soils or produced artificially1 would be decomposed when a salt of ammonia1 or potash1 etc41 was mixed with it1 the ammonia1 or potash1 taking the place of the lime or soda4 ,prof4 ,way's discovery1 then1 is not that soils have 8absorptive properties0--that has been long known--but that they absorb ammonia1 potash1 phosphoric acid1 etc41 by virtue of the double silicate of alumina and soda1 or lime1 etc41 which they contain4 ,soils are also found to have the power of absorbing ammonia1 or rather carbonate of ammonia1 from the air4 8,it has long been known10 says ,prof4 ,way1 8that soils acquire fertility by exposure to the influence of the atmosphere--hence one of the uses of fallows4 99 99 ,i find that clay is so greedy of ammonia1 that if air1 charged with carbonate of ammonia1 so as to be highly pungent1 is passed through a tube filled with small fragments of dry clay1 every particle of the gas is arrested40 ,this power of the soil to absorb ammonia1 is also due to the double silicates4 ,but there is this remarkable difference1 that while either the lime1 soda1 or potash silicate is capable of removing the ammonia from solution1 the lime silicate alone has the power of absorbing it from the air4 ,this is an important fact4 ,lime may act beneficially on many or most soils by converting the soda silicate into a lime silicate1 or1 in other words1 converting a salt that will not absorb carbonate of ammonia from the air1 into a salt that has this important property4 ,there is no manure that has been so extensively used1 and with such general success as lime1 and yet1 8who among us10 remarks ,prof4 ,way1 8can say that he perfectly understands the mode in which lime acts80 ,we are told that lime sweetens the soil1 by neutralizing any acid character that it may possess2 that it assists the decomposition of inert organic matters1 and therefore increases the supply of vegetable food to plants3 that it decomposes the remains of ancient rocks containing potash1 soda1 magnesia1 etc41 occurring in most soils1 and that at the same time it liberates silica from these rocks2 and lastly1 that lime is one of the substances found uniformly and in considerable quantity in the ashes of plants1 that therefore its application may be beneficial simply as furnishing a material indispensable to the substance of a plant4 ,these explanations are no doubt good as far as they go1 but experience furnishes many facts which cannot be explained by any one1 or all1 of these suppositions4 ,lime1 we all know1 does much good on soils abounding in organic matter1 and so it frequently does on soils almost destitute of it4 ,it may liberate potash1 soda1 silica1 etc41 from clay soils1 but the application of potash1 soda1 and silica has little beneficial effect on the soil1 and therefore we cannot account for the action of lime on the supposition that it renders the potash1 soda1 etc41 of the soil available to plants4 ,furthermore1 lime effects great good on soils abounding in salts of lime1 and therefore it cannot be that it operates as a source of lime for the structure of the plant4 ,none of the existing theories1 therefore1 satisfactorily account for the action of lime4 ,prof4 ,way's views are most consistent with the facts of practical experience2 but they are confessedly hypothetical2 and his more recent investigations do not confirm the idea that lime acts beneficially by converting the soda silicate into the lime silicate4 ,thus1 six soils were treated with lime water until they had absorbed from one and a half to two per cent of their weight of lime4 ,this1 supposing the soil to be six inches deep1 would be at the rate of about #cjj bushels of lime per acre4 ,the amount of ammonia in the soil was determined before liming1 after liming1 and then after being exposed to the fumes of carbonate ammonia until it had absorbed as much as it would4 ,the following table exhibits the results3 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,no4 #a4,no4 #b4,no4 #c4,no4 #d4,no4 #e4,no4 #f4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,ammonia in #a1jjj grains of natural soil #j4bic #j4aha #j4jhe #j4aji #j4abg #j4jhc ,ammonia in #a1jjj grains of soil after liming #j4afi #j4ajb #j4jdj #j4jej 444 #j4jea ,ammonia in #a1jjj grains of soil after liming and exposure to the vapor of ammonia #b4bbf #b4jff #c4big #a4jgf #c4bfe #a4hbg ,ammonia in #a1jjj grains of soil after exposure to ammonia without liming4 #a4ijf #b4eeg #c4bhf #a4jig #b4fae #b4jbh ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,no4 #a4 ,surface soil of ,london clay4 ,no4 #b4 ,same soil from #a to #b feet below the surface4 ,no4 #c4 ,same soil #c feet below the surface4 ,no4 #d4 ,loam of tertiary drift #d feet below the surface4 ,no4 #e4 ,gault clay--surface soil4 ,no4 #f4 ,gault clay #d feet below the surface4 ,it is evident that lime neither assisted nor interfered with the absorption of ammonia1 and hence the beneficial effect of liming on such soils must be accounted for on some other supposition4 ,this negative result1 however1 does not disprove the truth of ,prof4 ,way's hypothesis1 for it may be that the silicate salt in the natural soils was that of lime and not that of soda4 ,indeed1 the extent to which the natural soils absorbed ammonia--equal1 in ,no4 #c1 to about #g1jjj lbs4 of ammonia per acre1 equivalent to the quantity contained in #gjj tons of barn-yard manure--shows this to have been the case4 ,the lime liberated one-half the ammonia contained in the soil4 8,this result10 says ,prof4 ,way1 8is so nearly the same in all cases1 that we are justified in believing it to be due to some special cause1 and probably it arises from the existence of some compound silicates containing ammonia1 of which lime under the circumstances can replace one-half--forming1 for instance1 a double silicate of alumina1 with half lime and half ammonia--such compounds are not unusual or new to the chemist40 ,this loss of ammonia from a heavy dressing of lime is very great4 ,a soil five inches deep1 weighs1 in round numbers1 #ejj tons1 or #a1jjj1jjj lbs4 ,the soil1 ,no4 #a1 contained 4#jbic per cent of ammonia1 or in an acre1 five inches deep1 #bic lbs4 ,after liming1 it contained 4#jafi per cent1 or in an acre1 five inches deep1 #afi lbs4 ,the loss by liming is #abd lbs4 of ammonia per acre4 ,this is equal to the quantity contained in #abjj lbs4 of good ,peruvian guano1 or #ab tons of barn-yard manure4 ,in commenting on this great loss of ammonia from liming1 ,prof4 ,way observes3 8,is it not possible1 that for the profitable agricultural use1 the ammonia of the soil is too tightly locked up in it8 ,can we suppose that the very powers of the soil to unite with and preserve the elements of manure are1 however excellent a provision of nature1 yet in some degree opposed to the growth of the abnormal crops which it is the business of the farmer to cultivate8 ,there is no absolute reason why such should not be the case4 ,a provision of nature must relate to natural circumstances2 for instance1 compounds of ammonia may be found in the soil1 capable of giving out to the agencies of water and air quite enough of ammonia for the growth of ordinary plants and the preservation of their species2 but this supply may be totally inadequate to the necessities of man4 99 99 99 ,now it is not impossible that the laws which preserve the supply of vegetable nutrition in the soil1 are too stringent for the requirements of an unusual and excessive vegetation1 such as the cultivator must promote4 8,in the case of ammonia locked up in the soil1 lime may be the remedy at the command of the farmer--his means of rendering immediately available stores of wealth1 which can otherwise only slowly be brought into use4 8,in this view1 lime would well deserve the somewhat vague name that has been given it1 namely1 that of a #8stimulant'2 for its application would be in some sort an application of ammonia1 while its excessive application1 by driving off ammonia1 would lead to all the disastrous effects which are so justly attributed to it4 8,i do not wish to push this assumption too far10 says ,prof4 ,way1 in conclusion1 8but if there be any truth in it1 it points out the importance of employing lime in small quantities at short intervals1 rather than in large doses once in many years40 8,the ,squire1 last year10 said the ,deacon1 8drew several hundred bushels of refuse lime from the kiln1 and mixed it with his manure4 ,it made a powerful smell1 and not an agreeable one1 to the passers by4 ,he put the mixture on a twenty-acre field of wheat1 and he said he was going to beat you40 8,yes10 said ,i1 8so ,i understood--but he did not do it4 ,if he had applied the lime and the manure separately1 he would have stood a better chance2 still1 there are two sides to the question4 ,i should not think of mixing lime with good1 rich farm-yard manure2 but with long1 coarse1 strawy manure1 there would be less injury1 and possibly some advantage40 8,the ,squire10 said the ,deacon1 8got one advantage4 ,he had not much trouble in drawing the manure about the land4 ,there was not much of it left40 ,lime does not always decompose organic matter4 ,in certain conditions1 it will preserve vegetable substances4 ,we do not want to mix lime with manure in order to preserve it2 and if our object is to increase fermentation1 we must be careful to mix sufficient soil with the manure to keep it moist enough to retain the liberated ammonia4 ,many farmers who use lime for the first time on wheat1 are apt to feel a little discouraged in the spring4 ,i have frequently seen limed wheat in the spring look worse than where no lime was used4 ,but wait a little1 and you will see a change for the better1 and at harvest1 the lime will generally give a good account of itself4 ,there is one thing about lime which1 if generally true1 is an important matter to our wheat-growers4 ,lime is believed to hasten the maturity of the crop4 8,it is true of nearly all our cultivated crops10 says the late ,professor ,johnston1 8but especially of those of wheat1 that their full growth is attained more speedily when the land is limed1 and that they are ready for the harvest from ten to fourteen days earlier4 ,this is the case even with buckwheat1 which becomes sooner ripe1 though it yields no larger a return when lime is applied to the land on which it is grown40 ,in districts where the midge affects the wheat1 it is exceedingly important to get a variety of wheat that ripens early2 and if lime will favor early maturity1 without checking the growth1 it will be of great value4 ,a correspondent in ,delaware writes3 8,i have used lime as a manure in various ways4 ,for low land1 the best way is1 to sow it broadcast while the vegetation is in a green state1 at the rate of #dj or #ej bushels to the acre2 but if ,i can not use it before the frost kills the vegetation1 ,i wait until the land is plowed in the spring1 when ,i spread it on the plowed ground in about the same quantity as before4 ,last year1 ,i tried it both ways1 and the result was1 my crop was increased at least fourfold in each instance1 but that used on the vegetation was best4 ,the soil is a low1 black sand40 ,a farmer writes from ,new ,jersey1 that he has used over #f1jjj bushels of lime on his farm1 and also considerable guano and phosphates1 but considers that the lime has paid the best4 ,his farm has more than doubled in real value1 and he attributes this principally to the use of lime4 8,we lime10 he says1 8whenever it is convenient1 but prefer to put it on at least one year before plowing the land4 ,we spread from #be to #dj bushels of lime on the sod in the fall2 plant with corn the following summer2 next spring1 sow with oats and clover2 and the next summer1 plow under the clover1 and sow with wheat and timothy4 ,we have a variety of soils1 from a sandy loam to a stiff clay1 and are certain that lime will pay on all or any of them4 ,some of the best farmers in our ,county commenced liming when the lime cost #be cts4 a bushel1 and their farms are ahead yet1 more in value1 ,i judge1 than the lime cost4 ,the man who first commences using lime1 will get so far ahead1 while his neighbors are looking on1 that they will never catch up40 ,another correspondent in ,hunterdon ,co41 ,n4,j41 writes3 8,experience has taught me that the best and most profitable mode of applying lime is on grass land4 ,if the grass seed is sown in the fall with the wheat or rye1 which is the common practice with us in ,new ,jersey1 as soon as the harvest comes off the next year1 we apply the lime with the least delay1 and while fresh slacked and in a dry and mealy state4 ,it can be spread more evenly on the ground1 and is in a state to be more readily taken up by the fine roots of the plants1 than if allowed to get wet and clammy4 ,it is found most beneficial to keep it as near the surface of the ground as practicable1 as the specific gravity or weight of this mineral manure is so great1 that we soon find it too deep in the ground for the fibrous roots of plants to derive the greatest possible benefit from its use4 ,with this method of application are connected several advantages4 ,the lime can be hauled in the fall1 after the busy season is over1 and when spread on the sod in this way1 comes in more immediate contact with the grass and grass-roots than when the land is first plowed4 ,in fields that have been limed in part in this manner1 and then plowed1 and lime applied to the remainder at the time of planting with corn1 ,i always observe a great difference in the corn-crop2 and in plowing up the stubble the next season1 the part limed on the sod is much mellower than that limed after the sod was broken1 presenting a rich vegetable mould not observed in the other part of the field40 ,a farmer in ,chester ,co41 ,pa41 also prefers to apply lime to newly-seeded grass or clover4 ,he puts on #ajj bushels of slaked lime per acre1 either in the fall or in the spring1 as most convenient4 ,he limes one field every year1 and as the farm is laid off into eleven fields1 all the land receives a dressing of lime once in eleven years4 ,in some sections of the country1 where lime has been used for many years1 it is possible that part of the money might better be used in the purchase of guano1 phosphates1 fish-manure1 etc42 while in this section1 where we seldom use lime1 we might find it greatly to our interest to give our land an occasional dressing of lime4 ,the value of quick-lime as a manure is not merely in supplying an actual constituent of the plant4 ,if it was1 a few pounds per acre would be sufficient4 ,its value consists in changing the chemical and physical character of the soil--in developing the latent mineral plant-food1 and in decomposing and rendering available organic matter1 and in forming compounds which attract ammonia from the atmosphere4 ,it may be that we can purchase this ammonia and other plant-food cheaper than we can get it by using lime4 ,it depends a good deal on the nature and composition of the soil4 ,at present1 this question can not be definitely settled1 except by actual trial on the farm4 ,in ,england1 where lime was formerly used in large quantities1 the tendency for some time has been towards a more liberal and direct use of ammonia and phosphates in manures1 rather than to develop them out of the soil by the use of lime4 ,a judicious combination of the two systems will probably be found the most profitable4 ,making composts with old sods1 lime1 and barn-yard manure1 is a time-honored practice in ,europe4 ,i have seen excellent results from the application of such a compost on meadow-land4 ,the usual plan is1 to select an old hedge-row or headland1 which has lain waste for many years4 ,plow it up1 and cart the soil1 sods1 etc41 into a long1 narrow heap4 ,mix lime with it1 and let it lie six months or a year4 ,then turn it1 and as soon as it is fine and mellow1 draw it on to the land4 ,i have assisted at making many a heap of this kind1 but do not recollect the proportion of lime used2 in fact1 ,i question if we had any definite rule4 ,if we wanted to use lime on the land1 we put more in the heap2 if not1 less4 ,the manure was usually put in when the heap was turned4 ,dr4 ,vlcker analyzed the dry earth used in the closets at the prison in ,wakefield1 ,england4 ,he found that3 ,phosphoric ,nitrogen4 ,acid4 #aj tons of dry earth before using contained #fc lbs4 #cf lbs4 #aj tons of dry earth after being used once contained #gd 0 #ej 0 #aj tons of dry earth after being used twice contained #hd 0 #hh 0 #aj tons of dry earth after being used thrice contained #ajb 0 #ajb 0 ,after looking at the above figures1 the ,deacon remarked3 8,you say #aj tons of dry earth before being used in the closet contained #fb lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,how much nitrogen does #aj tons of barn-yard manure contain80 8,that depends a good deal on what food the animals eat4 ,ten tons of average fresh manure would contain about #hj lbs4 of nitrogen40 8,great are the mysteries of chemistry60 exclaimed the ,deacon4 8,ten tons of dry earth contain almost as much nitrogen as #aj tons of barn-yard manure1 and yet you think that nitrogen is the most valuable thing in manure4 ,what shall we be told next80 8,you will be told1 ,deacon1 that the nitrogen in the soil is in such a form that the plants can take up only a small portion of it4 ,but if you will plow such land in the fall1 and expose it to the disintegrating effects of the frost1 and plow it again in the spring1 and let the sun and air act upon it1 more or less of the organic matter in the soil will be decomposed1 and the nitrogen rendered soluble4 ,and then if you sow this land to wheat after a good summer-fallow1 you will stand a chance of having a great crop40 ,this dry earth which ,dr4 ,vlcker analyzed appeared1 he says1 8to be ordinary garden soil1 containing a considerable portion of clay40 ,after it had been passed once through the closet1 one ton of it was spread on an acre of grass-land1 which produced #b tons #h cwt4 of hay4 ,in a second experiment1 one ton1 once passed through the closet1 produced #b tons #g cwt4 of hay per acre4 ,we are not told how much hay the land produced without any dressing at all4 ,still we may infer that this top-dressing did considerable good4 ,of one thing1 however1 there can be no doubt4 ,this one ton of earth manure contained only #a lb4 more nitrogen and #a lb4 more phosphoric acid than a ton of the dry earth itself4 ,why then did it prove so valuable as a top-dressing for grass8 ,i will not say that it was due solely to the decomposition of the nitrogenous matter and other plant-food in the earth1 caused by the working over and sifting and exposure to the air1 and to the action of the night-soil4 ,still it would seem that1 so far as the beneficial effect was due to the supply of plant-food1 we must attribute it to the earth itself rather than to the small amount of night-soil which it contained4 ,it is a very common thing in ,england1 as ,i have said before1 for farmers to make a compost of the sods and earth from an old hedge-row1 ditch1 or fence1 and mix with it some lime or barn-yard manure4 ,then1 after turning it once or twice1 and allowing it to remain in the heap for a few months1 to spread it on meadow-land4 ,i have seen great benefit apparently derived from such a top-dressing4 ,the young grass in the spring assumed a rich1 dark green color4 ,i have observed the same effect where coal-ashes were spread on grass-land2 and ,i have thought that the apparent benefit was due largely to the material acting as a kind of mulch1 rather than to its supplying plant-food to the grass4 ,i doubt very much whether we can afford to make such a compost of earth with lime1 ashes1 or manure in this country4 ,but ,i feel sure that those of us having rich clay land containing1 in an inert form1 as much nitrogen and phosphoric acid as ,dr4 ,vlcker found in the soil to be used in the earth-closet at ,wakefield1 can well afford to stir it freely1 and expose it to the disintegrating and decomposing action of the atmosphere4 ,an acre of dry soil six inches deep weighs about #a1jjj tons2 and consequently an acre of such soil as we are talking about would contain #f1bjj lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #c1fjj lbs4 of phosphoric acid4 ,in other words1 it contains to the depth of only six inches as much nitrogen as would be furnished by #gge tons of common barn-yard manure1 and as much phosphoric acid as #ijj tons of manure4 ,with such facts as these before us1 am ,i to blame for urging farmers to cultivate their land more thoroughly8 ,i do not know that my land or the ,deacon's is as rich as this ,english soil2 but1 at any rate1 ,i see no reason why such should not be the case4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,,manures ,,for ,,barley4 ,messrs4 ,lawes and ,gilbert have published the results of experiments with different manures on barley grown annually on the same land for twenty years in succession4 ,the experiments commenced in #aheb4 ,the soil is of the same general character as that in the field on the same farm where wheat was grown annually for so many years1 and of which we have given such a full account4 ,it is what we should call a calcareous clay loam4 ,on my farm1 we have what the men used to call 8clay spots40 ,these spots vary in size from two acres down to the tenth of an acre4 ,they rarely produced even a fair crop of corn or potatoes1 and the barley was seldom worth harvesting4 ,since ,i have drained the land and taken special pains to bestow extra care in plowing and working these hard and intractable portions of the fields1 the 8clay spots0 have disappeared1 and are now nothing more than good1 rather stiff1 clay loam1 admirably adapted for wheat1 barley1 and oats1 and capable of producing good crops of corn1 potatoes1 and mangel-wurzels4 ,the land on which ,mr4 ,lawes' wheat and barley experiments were made is not dissimilar in general character from these 8clay spots40 ,if the land was only half-worked1 we should call it clay2 but being thoroughly cultivated1 it is a good clay loam4 ,mr4 ,lawes describes it as 8a somewhat heavy loam1 with a subsoil of raw1 yellowish red clay1 but resting in its turn upon chalk1 which provides good natural drainage40 ,the part of the field devoted to the experiments was divided into #bd plots1 about the fifth of an acre each4 ,two plots were left without manure of any kind4 ,one plot was manured every year with #ad tons per acre of farm-yard manure1 and the other plots 8with manures10 to quote ,dr4 ,gilbert 8which respectively supplied certain constituents of farm-yard manure1 separately or in combination40 ,in ,england1 the best barley soils are usually lighter than the best wheat soils4 ,this is probably due to the fact that barley usually follows a crop of turnips--more or less of which are eaten off on the land by sheep4 ,the trampling of the sheep compresses the soil1 and makes even a light1 sandy one firmer in texture4 ,in this country1 our best wheat land is also our best barley land1 provided it is in good heart1 and is very thoroughly worked4 ,it is no use sowing barley on heavy land half worked4 ,it will do better on light soils2 but if the clayey soils are made fine and mellow1 they produce with us the best barley4 ,in chemical composition1 barley is quite similar to wheat4 ,mr4 ,lawes and ,dr4 ,gilbert give the composition of a wheat-crop of #cj bushels per acre1 #a1hjj lbs4 of grain1 and #c1jjj lbs4 of straw2 and of a crop of barley1 #dj bushels per acre1 #b1jhj lbs4 grain1 and #b1ejj lbs4 of straw1 as follows3 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,in ,grain4 ,in ,straw4 ,in ,total ,produce4 ---------------------------------------- ------- ,wheat ,barley ,wheat ,barley ,wheat ,barley lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,nitrogen #cb4 #cc4 #ac4 #ab4 #de4 #de4 ,phosphoric acid #af4 #ag4 #g4 #e4 #bc4 #bb4 ,potash #i4e #aa4e #bj4e #ah4e #cj4 #cj4 ,lime #a4 #a4e #i4 #aj4e #aj4 #ab4 ,magnesia #c4e #d4 #c4 #b4e #f4e #f4e ,silica #j4e #ab4 #ii4e #fc4 #ajj4 #ge4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,a few years ago1 when the midge destroyed our wheat1 many farmers in ,western ,new ,york raised 8winter barley10 instead of 8winter wheat10 and ,i have seen remarkably heavy crops of this winter barley4 ,it is not now grown with us4 ,the maltsters would not pay as much for it as for spring barley1 and as the midge troubles us less1 our farmers are raising winter wheat again4 ,where1 as with us1 we raise winter wheat and spring barley1 the difference between the two crops1 taking the above estimate of yield and proportion of grain to straw1 would be3 #ast4 ,almost identical composition in regard to nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 potash1 lime1 and magnesia2 but as it has more straw1 the wheat-crop removes a larger amount of silica than barley4 #b;d4 ,the greatest difference is in the length of time the two crops are in the ground4 ,we sow our winter wheat the last of ,august1 or the first and second week in ,september4 ,before winter sets in1 the wheat-plant often throws out a bunch of roots a foot in length4 ,during the winter1 though the thermometer goes down frequently to zero1 and sometimes #aj to #ae below zero1 yet if the land is well covered with snow1 it is not improbable that the roots continue to absorb more or less food from the ground1 and store it up for future use4 ,in the spring1 the wheat commences to grow before we can get the barley into the ground1 though not to any considerable extent4 ,i have several times sown barley as soon as the surface-soil was thawed out five or six inches deep1 but with a bed of solid frozen earth beneath4 #c;d4 ,two-rowed barley does not ripen as early as winter wheat1 but our ordinary six-rowed barley is ready to harvest the same time as our winter wheat4 #dth4 ,we sow our barley usually in ,may1 and harvest it in ,july4 ,the barley1 therefore1 has to take up its food rapidly4 ,if we expect a good growth1 we must provide a good supply of food1 and have it in the proper condition for the roots to reach it and absorb it2 in other words1 the land must be not only rich1 but it must be so well worked that the roots can spread out easily and rapidly in search of food and water4 ,in this country1 you will find ten good wheat-growers to one good barley grower4 8,that is so10 said the ,deacon2 8but tell us about ,mr4 ,lawes' experiments4 ,i have more confidence in them than in your speculations4 ,and first of all what kind of land was the barley grown on80 8,it is10 said ,i1 8rather heavy land--as heavy as what the men call #8clay-spots1' on my farm40 8,and on those clay-spots10 said the ,deacon1 8you either get very good barley1 or a crop not worth harvesting40 8,you have hit it exactly1 ,deacon10 said ,i4 8,the best barley ,i have this year 7#ahgh7 is on these clay-spots4 ,and the reason is1 that we gave them an extra plowing last fall with a three-horse plow4 ,that extra plowing has probably given me an extra #cj bushels of barley per acre4 ,the barley on some of the lighter portions of the field will not yield over #be bushels per acre4 ,on the clay-spots1 it looks now 7,june #ac7 as though there would be over #ej bushels per acre4 ,it is all headed out handsomely on the clay-spots1 and has a strong1 dark1 luxuriant appearance1 while on the sand1 the crop is later and has a yellow1 sickly look40 8,you ought10 said the ,doctor1 8to have top-dressed these poor1 sandy parts of the field with a little superphosphate and nitrate of soda40 8,it would have paid wonderfully well10 said ,i1 8or1 perhaps1 more correctly speaking1 the loss would have been considerably less4 ,we have recently been advised by a distinguished writer1 to apply manure to our best land1 and let the poor land take care of itself4 ,but where the poor land is in the same field with the good1 we are obliged to plow1 harrow1 cultivate1 sow1 and harvest the poor spots1 and the question is1 whether we shall make them capable of producing a good crop by the application of manure1 or be at all the labor and expense of putting in and harvesting a crop of chicken-feed and weeds4 ,artificial manures give us a grand chance to make our crops more uniform40 8,you are certainly right there10 said the ,doctor1 8but let us examine the ,rothamsted experiments on barley40 ,you will find the results in the following tables4 ,the manures used1 are in many respects the same as were adopted in the wheat experiments already given4 ,the mineral or ash constituents were supplied as follows3 ,potash--as sulphate of potash4 ,soda--as sulphate of soda4 ,magnesia--as sulphate of magnesia4 ,lime--as sulphate1 phosphate1 and superphosphate4 ,phosphoric acid--as bone-ash1 mixed with sufficient sulphuric acid to convert most of the insoluble earthy phosphate of lime into sulphate and soluble superphosphate of lime4 ,sulphuric acid--in the phosphatic mixture just mentioned2 in sulphates of potash1 soda1 and magnesia2 in sulphate of ammonia1 etc4 ,chlorine--in muriate of ammonia4 ,silica--as artificial silicate of soda4 ,other constituents were supplied as under3 ,nitrogen--as sulphate and muriate of ammonia2 as nitrate of soda2 in farm-yard manure2 in rape-cake4 ,non-nitrogenous organic matter1 yielding by decomposition1 carbonic acid1 and other products--in yard manure1 in rape-cake4 ,the artificial manure or mixture for each plot was ground up1 or otherwise mixed1 with a sufficient quantity of soil and turf-ashes to make it up to a convenient measure for equal distribution over the land4 ,the mixtures so prepared were1 with proper precautions1 sown broadcast by hand2 as it has been found that the application of an exact amount of manure1 to a limited area of land1 can be best accomplished in that way4 ,the same manures were used on the same plot each year4 ,any exceptions to this rule are mentioned in foot-notes4 ,experiments on the ,growth of ,barley1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land1 ,without ,manure1 and ,with ,different ,descriptions of ,manure1 ,hoos ,field1 ,rothamsted1 ,england4 ,table ,i4--,showing1 taken together with the foot-notes1 the description and quantities of the manures applied per acre on each plot1 in each year of the twenty1 #aheb-ahga inclusive4 ,n4,b4 ,this table has reference to all the succeeding ,tables4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,manures per ,acre1 per ,annum 7unless otherwise ,plots stated in the foot-notes74 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- #a ,o4 ,unmanured continuously #b ,o4 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate of ,lime99 #c ,o4 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate of ,potass1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia #d ,o4 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass4 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate #a ,a4 #bjj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts #b ,a4 #bjj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate #c ,a4 #bjj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts1 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia #d ,a4 #bjj lbs4 ,ammonia salts #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate #a ,,aa4 #bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda #b ,,aa4 #bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate #c ,,aa4 #bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda1 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia #d ,,aa4 #bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda1 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate #a ,,aas4#bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda1 #djj lbs4 ,silicate ,soda #b ,,aas4#bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda1 #djj lbs4 ,silicate ,soda1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate #c ,,aas4#bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda1 #djj lbs4 ,silicate ,soda1 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia #d ,,aas4#bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda1 #djj lbs4 ,silicate ,soda1 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate #a ,c4 #ajjj lbs4 ,rape-cake #b ,c4 #ajjj lbs4 ,rape-cake1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate 9999#c ,c4 #ajjj lbs4 ,rape-cake1 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia1 #d ,c4 #ajjj lbs4 ,rape-cake1 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate #a ,n4 #bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda #b ,n4 #bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda 7#eej lbs4 ,nitrate for #e years1 #ahec1 #d1 #e1 #f1 and #g7 ,m4 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,soda1 #ajj lbs4 ,sulphate ,magnesia1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate 7commencing #ahee2 #aheb1 #c1 and #d1 unmanured #e ,o4 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate 7#bjj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts also1 for the first year1 #aheb1 only7 #e ,a4 #bjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 #c cwts4 ,superphosphate1 #bjj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts #f #a ,unmanured continuously #b ,ashes 7burnt-soil and turf7 #g #ad ,tons ,farmyard-,manure ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- 993 8#c cwts4 ,superphosphate of ,lime0--in all cases1 made from #bjj lbs4 ,bone ash1 #aej lbs4 ,sulphuric acid sp4 gr4 #a4g 7and water74 3 ,sulphate ,potass--#cjj lbs4 per annum for the first #f years1 #aheb-g4 3 ,sulphate ,soda--#bjj lbs4 per annum for the first #f years1 #aheb-g4 3 ,the 8,ammonia-salts0--in all cases equal parts of ,sulphate and ,muriate of ,ammonia of ,commerce4 3 ,plots 8,,aa0 and 8,,aas0--first #f years1 #aheb-g1 instead of ,nitrate of ,soda1 #djj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts per annum2 next #aj years1 #aheh-fg1 #bjj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts per annum2 #ahfh1 and since1 #bge lbs4 ,nitrate of ,soda per annum4 #bge lbs4 ,nitrate of ,soda is reckoned to contain the same amount of ,nitrogen as #bjj lbs4 8,ammonia-salts40 3 ,plots 8,,aas0--the application of ,silicates did not commence until #ahfd2 in #8#fd-e-f1 and #g1 #bjj lbs4 ,silicate of ,soda and #bjj lbs4 ,silicate of ,lime were applied per acre1 but in #ahfh1 and since1 #djj lbs4 ,silicate of ,soda1 and no ,silicate of ,lime4 ,these plots comprise1 respectively1 one half of the original 8,,aa0 plots1 and1 excepting the addition of the ,silicates1 have been1 and are1 in other respects1 manured in the same way as the 8,,aa0 plots4 99993 #bjjj lbs4 ,rape-cake per annum for the first #f years1 and #ajjj lbs4 only1 each year since4 3 #cjj lbs4 ,sulphate ,potass1 and #c cwts4 ,superphosphate of ,lime1 without ,nitrate of ,soda1 the first year 7#aheb72 ,nitrate alone each year since4 3 ,sulphate ,soda--#bjj lbs4 per annum #ahee1 #f1 and #g4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,the following is an alternative version of the same table1 giving the information in the form used in all earlier tables4 ,,fm ,farm-yard ,manure4 ,,abt ,ashes 7burnt-soil and turf74 ,si,s ,silicate of ,soda4 ,s,ph ,superphosphate4 ,s,mg ,sulphate of ,magnesia4 ,,sp ,sulphate of ,potass4 ,,ss ,sulphate of ,soda4 ,,ns ,nitrate of ,soda4 ,,rc ,rape-,cake4 ,a-,s ,ammonia-salts4 ---------------------------------------- ---------- ,plots ,,fm ,,abt ,si,s ,s,ph,s,mg ,,sp ,,ss ,,ns ,,rc ,a-,s ---------------------------------------- ---------- ,tons4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4 #a ,o4 44 44 -- unmanured continuously-- 44 #b ,o4 44 44 44 #cej 44 44 44 44 44 44 #c ,o4 44 44 44 44 #ajj #bjj #ajj 44 44 44 #d ,o4 44 44 44 #cej #ajj #bjj #ajj 44 44 44 #a ,a4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #b ,a4 44 44 44 #cej 44 44 44 44 44 #bjj #c ,a4 44 44 44 44 #ajj #bjj #ajj 44 44 #bjj #d ,a4 44 44 44 #cej #ajj #bjj #ajj 44 44 #bjj #a ,,aa4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bge 44 44 #b ,,aa4 44 44 44 #cej 44 44 44 #bge 44 44 #c ,,aa4 44 44 44 44 #ajj #bjj #ajj #bge 44 44 #d ,,aa4 44 44 44 #cej #ajj #bjj #ajj #bge 44 44 #a ,,aas4 44 44 #djj 44 44 44 44 #bge 44 44 #b ,,aas4 44 44 #djj #cej 44 44 44 #bge 44 44 #c ,,aas4 44 44 #djj 44 #ajj #bjj #ajj #bge 44 44 #d ,,aas4 44 44 #djj #cej #ajj #bjj #ajj #bge 44 44 #a ,c4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #ajjj 44 #b ,c4 44 44 44 #cej 44 44 44 44 #ajjj 44 #c ,c4 44 44 44 44 #ajj #bjj #ajj 44 #ajjj 44 #d ,c4 44 44 44 #cej #ajj #bjj #ajj 44 #ajjj 44 #a ,n4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bge 44 44 #b ,n4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #bge 44 44 ,m4 44 44 44 #cej #ajj 44 #ajj 44 44 44 #e ,o4 44 44 44 #cej 44 #bjj 44 44 44 44 #e ,a4 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #fa 44 44 -- unmanured continuously-- 44 #b99 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 #g #ad 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 ---------------------------------------- ---------- 99 #f4b3 ,no amount given for ashes ,experiments on the ,growth of ,barley1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land1 ,without ,manure1 and ,with ,different ,descriptions of ,manure1 ,hoos ,field1 ,rothamsted1 ,england4 ,table ,,ii4--,dressed ,corn ,per ,acre--bushels4 ,n4,b4 ,the double vertical lines show that there was a change in the description1 or quantity1 of ,manure1 at the period indicated1 for particulars of which see ,table ,i41 and foot-notes thereto1 p4 #bca4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ,harvests ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,plots #aheb #ahecahedaheeahefahegahehaheiahfjahfaahf bahfc ---------------------------------------- ---------------- bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 #a ,o4 #bg #be #ce #ca #ac #bf #ba #ac #ac #af #af #bb #b ,o4 #bh #cc #dj #cf #ag #cc #bh #ai #ae #be #ba #cb #c ,o4 #bf #bg #cf #cd #af #cb #bd #ae #ae #ah #ai #bg #d ,o4 #cb #ce #db #cg #ai #ci #cj #ai #ah #bi #be #cc ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,means #bh #cj #ch #cd #ag #cb #bf #ag #ae #bb #bj #bh ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #a ,a4 #cf #ch #dg #dd #be #ch #ca #ae #bf #cj #ca #db #b ,a4 #ch #dj #fj #dg #bi #ef #ea #cd #dc #ee #dh #fa #c ,a4 #cf #cf #ej #dd #bh #db #cd #af #bh #cb #ce #dh #d ,a4 #dj #ch #fj #dh #ca #eg #ea #cd #dc #ed #dg #ee ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,means #ch #ch #ed #df #bh #dh #db #be #ce #dc #dj #eb ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #a ,,aa4 #dd #dj #ef #dh #cf #di #ci #ba #be #ce #ca #di #b ,,aa4 #dc #db #fc #ej #ca #ff #ef #ce #dc #ee #ea #fj #c ,,aa4 #da #da #ea #dg #be #didj #bj #cj #cf #cf #ed #d ,,aa4 #de #dd #fb #di #cg #fdef #ce #df #ee #dh #ei ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,means #dc #db #eh #dh #cb #eg #dh #bh #cf #de #da #ee ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #a ,,aas4 #b ,,aas4 #c ,,aas4 #d ,,aas4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,means ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #a ,c4 #ci #ci #fj #dh #cf #fd #ec #ch #ca #ef #da #ea #b ,c4 #cf #cf #fj #ec #cg #fb #eg #da #cf #ef #de #ee #c ,c4 #cc #ce #ef #dh #cb #fjeb #cd #ce #ea #cf #ec #d ,c4 #ch #dj #fj #ea #ce #fbeg #ce #dj #ec #de #ed ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,means #cf #cg #ei #ej #ce #fb #ee #cg #cf #ed #da #ec ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #a ,n4 7#be7 #cd #di #ej #bh #dg #cg #bd #bg #ch #ce #ea #b ,n4 #cg #ec #di #db #eh #dc #bf #bi #da #ch #ec ,m4 #cb #ah #bd #be #ai #aj #bg #bc #bh #e ,o4 7#cf7 #bg #cj #cb #ai #ca #be #af #aj #bh #ag #bi #e ,a4 #cf #dj #ea #dg #cc #ed #dh #cc #ci #di #df #ea #fa #bi #bf #ce #cg #ae #cd #bf #ag #ab #af #ah #bg #b #be #bg #cc #cf #ae #ca #be #ad #ab #ag #ai #bh #g #cc #cf #ef #ej #cb #ea #ee #dj #da #ed #di #ei ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #ast ten3 ,first ten ,years1 #aheb-'fa4 #bnd ten3 ,second ten ,years1 #ahfb-'ga4 ,total ,period3 ,total ,period #bj ,years1 #aheb-'ga4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,harvests ,average ,annual4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #ast #bnd ,total #ahfdahfeahffahfgahfhahfiahgjahga ten ten ,period ,plots ---------------------------------------- ----------------- bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bu4 bush4 bu4bushels #bd #ah #ae #ag #ae #ae #ac #af #bb #agbj #a ,o4 #cj #bb #bb #bd #ah #ah #ah #bc #bg #bcbe #b ,o4 #bf #bb #ai #ag #ad #ah #af #ai #bd #bjbb #c ,o4 #cc #bd #bd #bj #ag #bb #ah #be #cj #bdbg #d ,o4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #bh #ba #bj #ai #af #ah #af #ba #bf #babc ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #ch #bi #bg #cj #bj #bg #bg #cf #cc #cacb #a ,a4 #eh #dh #ej #dd #cg #dh #da #de #de #dhdg #b ,a4 #dc #cc #bg #cc #be #cd #cj #ch #ce #ce #ce #c ,a4 #ee #df #dg #dc #cd #di #ch #df #df #dfdf #d ,a4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #di #ci #ch #cg #bi #ci #cd #da #dj #djdj ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #da #cc #bi #bi #bg #cb #bi #ci #ci #cdcg #a ,,aa4 #ef #dg #ej #dd #dd #dh #df #df #dh #didi #b ,,aa4 #dd #cd #bi #cb #bg #cc #cb #cf #ch #cfcg #c ,,aa4 #ef #dh #ej #de #de #di #dd #df #di #didi #d ,,aa4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #di #da #dj #ch #cf #da #ch #db #dd #dbdc ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #dd #cd #cg #cb #bi #cd #ce #dh #cg #cfcg #a ,,aas4 #ed #dg #ea #dd #dd #di #dd #diadi #dgdha #b ,,aas4 #ej #da #da #ci #cf #dj #db #dh #dc #db #db #c ,,aas4 #ei #ej #ej #de #df #ea #dg #dh #ea #dhej #d ,,aas4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #eb #dc #de #dj #ci #dd #db #dh #de #dcdd ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #dh #de #de #ch #cg #db #da #dd #dg #dcde #a ,c4 #ea #df #dg #de #ce #dh #da #da #dg #dedf #b ,c4 #di #dh #dc #ch #ce #dc #ch #de #dd #dcdc #c ,c4 #ec #dh #dh #db #cf #eb #dc #dg #dg #dgdg #d ,c4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #ej #dg #df #da #ce #df #da #dd #df #de #de ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #dj #cg #cd #cc #be #ce #cd #dcbcg #cgcgb #a ,n4 #df #ci #da #cf #be #ch #dj #de #db #djda #b ,n4 #be #ai #ai #bj #ad #af #af #bbc7bb #bjba7c ,m4 #bf #bc #bb #ai #ae #bc #ad #bj #d7bd #babb7d #e ,o4 #ej #dh #dc #cd #cf #di #da #dd #dc #dddd #e ,a4 #be #ba #af #af #ae #ad #ae #ah #be #ahbb #af #be #ai #ag #ai #ae #ae #ae #bd #bc #bj #ba #b #fb #eb #ec #de #dc #df #dg #ed #de #eadh #g ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,note #a3 ,averages of #d years1 #d years1 and #h years4 ,note #b3 ,averages of #i years1 7#ahec-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ai years4 ,note #c3 ,averages of #g years 7#ahee-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ag years4 ,note #d3 ,averages of #i years 7#ahec-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ai years4 ,experiments on the ,growth of ,barley1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land1 ,without ,manure1 and ,with ,different ,descriptions of ,manure1 ,hoos ,field1 ,rothamsted1 ,england4 ,table ,,iii4--,weight per ,bushel of ,dressed ,corn--lbs4 ,n4,b4 ,the double vertical lines show that there was a change in the description1 or quantity1 of ,manure1 at the period indicated1 for particulars of which see ,table ,i41 and foot-notes thereto1 p4 #bca4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ,harvests ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,plots #aheb #ahecahedaheeahefaheg #ahehaheiahfjahfaahfbahfc ---------------------------------------- ------------------- lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 #a ,o4 #eb4a #ea4dec4feb4ddi4aeb4j #ec4jdi4jej4heb4cej4cec4f #b ,o4 #eb4f #eb4fed4jeb4edf4eeb4h #ed4jeb4jej4eec4heb4jed4b #c ,o4 #eb4e #ea4iec4feb4idh4eeb4e #ec4edi4eej4ceb4hea4hed4e #d ,o4 #ea4e #eb4aed4jec4adg4jec4g #ed4jeb4eea4ced4jeb4jed4h ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,means #eb4b #eb4jec4heb4gdg4heb4h #ec4fej4hej4gec4aea4eed4c ---------------------------------------- ------------------- #a ,a4 #ej4g #eb4dec4fea4hdh4eea4i #ec4jdg4eej4hea4edi4dec4f #b ,a4 #ej4e #eb4eed4cea4cdf4ced4c #ec4hea4jea4jec4eec4eee4c #c ,a4 #ej4i #eb4fed4jeb4bdi4aeb4a #ed4jdg4eej4hea4eej4eed4c #d ,a4 #ea4d #ec4aed4ceb4jdf4ded4h #ed4jea4jea4aed4jed4jef4e ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,means #ej4i #eb4ged4aea4hdg4fec4c #ec4gdi4cej4ieb4fea4ied4i ---------------------------------------- ------------------- #a ,,aa4 #di4a #ea4ceb4hej4fdh4ceb4j #ec4edg4eej4gea4hej4jec4i #b ,,aa4 #di4e #ea4geb4dej4adf4aec4e #ec4cej4gea4cec4eed4dee4g #c ,,aa4 #ej4f #ea4cec4aej4bdg4ceb4aec4idg4eej4dea4eea4 eed4e #d ,,aa4 #ej4f #ea4deb4adh4ide4dec4iec4eej4eea4jec4eed4 jef4d ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,means #ej4j #ea4deb4fej4jdf4heb4i #ec4fdi4aej4ieb4feb4eee4a ---------------------------------------- ------------------- #a ,,aas4 #b ,,aas4 #c ,,aas4 #d ,,aas4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,means ---------------------------------------- ------------------- #a ,c4 #ea4g #ea4ceb4iej4edf4aec4b #ec4eeb4jeb4jed4jed4eef4c #b ,c4 #ea4h #ea4feb4hej4jdg4cec4h #eb4hea4eea4eed4aee4cef4d #c ,c4 #ea4c #ea4eeb4fej4fdf4fed4aec4eea4gea4hec4eec4 eef4h #d ,c4 #ea4d #ej4deb4hdi4edf4ced4aec4aea4jea4aed4ced4 jef4g ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,means #ea4f #ea4beb4hej4bdf4fec4h #ec4bea4fea4fed4jed4cef4f ---------------------------------------- ------------------- #a ,n4 #ea4gea4cec4ceb4jej4jeb4i #ec4edh4jea4jeb4jea4eec4d #b ,n4 #di4gec4aej4adh4dec4j #ed4jdh4eea4aea4hea4cec4i ,m4 #eb4fdi4ceb4f #ec4fdi4eea4jec4heb4hec4h #e ,o4 7#ea4j7 #ea4hec4aeb4fdg4eec4d #ed4jea4jea4jec4cea4eed4a #e ,a4 #ea4j #eb4cec4hea4edf4fed4e #ed4jea4jea4bec4jeb4jee4f #fa #eb4j #ej4ceb4heb4eej4jeb4c #ec4adh4eea4ceb4jea4hed4j #b #ec4j #ej4iec4feb4fej4jeb4c #ec4adg4eea4jeb4jeb4jed4a #g #eb4h #ea4fec4ieb4idg4aed4b #ed4eeb4eeb4aed4hed4heg4b ---------------------------------------- ------------------- #ast ten3 ,first ten ,years1 #aheb-'fa4 #bnd ten3 ,second ten ,years1 #ahfb-'ga4 ,total ,period3 ,total ,period #bj ,years1 #aheb-'ga4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,harvests ,average ,annual4 ---------------------------------------- ----------- #ast #bnd ,total #ahfdahfeahffahfgahfhahfiahgjahga ten ten ,period,plots ---------------------------------------- ---------------- lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #ee4gec4iea4aea4hed4ceb4deb4iee4j #ea4f #ec4a #eb4c #a ,o4 #ef4hec4hec4bec4iee4hed4cec4fef4j #eb4j #ed4d #ec4b #b ,o4 #ef4ied4eeb4ceb4iee4ged4ged4cee4d #ea4h #ed4c #ec4j #c ,o4 #eg4ced4jeb4gec4fee4ced4fee4fee4f #eb4c #ed4f #ec4d #d ,o4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #ef4ged4aeb4cec4aee4ced4jed4aee4e #eb4j #ed4a #ec4j ,means ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #ee4dec4hej4iea4cec4ceb4ded4fee4f #ea4b #ec4j #eb4a #a ,a4 #eg4jeb4ged4ded4aed4feg4jeg4bee4j #ea4h #ee4a #ec4e #b ,a4 #ef4ded4geb4aea4ied4hed4fee4def4a #ea4e #ed4a #eb4h #c ,a4 #eg4fec4eed4ged4cee4feg4deg4aef4e #eb4b #ee4g #ed4j #d ,a4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #ef4fec4gec4jeb4ied4fee4def4aee4h #ea4f #ed4e #ec4a ,means ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #ee4eec4eej4ieb4dec4gec4aed4eed4a #ej4h #ec4b #eb4j #a ,,aa4 #eg4beb4cee4jed4aee4feg4bef4iee4i #ea4b #ee4d #ec4c #b ,,aa4 #ef4eed4hea4dea4iee4aec4ged4fed4c #ej4h #ec4h #eb4c #c ,,aa4 #eg4fec4cee4ded4fef4jeg4aeg4aef4c #ea4a #ee4h #ec4d #d ,,aa4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #ef4gec4eec4bec4cee4aee4cee4hee4b #ea4j #ed4f #eb4h ,means ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #ef4aed4bea4hec4eed4bed4hee4jed4f #ec4i #ed4f #ed4ca ,,aas4 #eg4beb4dee4fee4aef4beg4deg4dee4faee4a #ef4g #ee4ib ,,aas4 #eg4bed4heb4eec4jee4eef4fee4iec4h #ed4d #ee4e #ee4jc ,,aas4 #eg4jec4aee4ced4aef4beg4heg4hee4d #ed4i #ef4h #ee4hd ,,aas4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #ef4iec4fec4hec4iee4eef4gef4eed4i #ed4f #ee4i #ee4b ,means ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #eg4aec4hee4aed4def4bef4geg4eef4c #ea4g #ee4h #ec4h #a ,c4 #eg4jec4cee4gee4jef4aeg4aeg4hef4d #ea4g #ef4j #ec4i #b ,c4 #eg4cec4cee4ced4gee4heg4aeg4fef4c #ea4g #ee4h #ec4g #c ,c4 #eg4bec4eee4fed4hee4deg4deh4jef4d #ea4d #ee4i #ec4f #d ,c4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #eg4aec4eee4ded4gee4ieg4aeg4gef4d #ea4f #ee4i #ec4h ,means ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #ef4jed4aeb4jeb4ieb4hed4cee4fed4fbea4f #ec4g #eb4ga ,n4 #ef4eec4heb4heb4gee4eed4hee4hed4f #ea4a #ed4b #eb4gb ,n4 #ef4ced4deb4iec4ied4jed4jee4cee4jc7ea4h #ed4b #ec4b7 ,m4 #eg4fed4eec4ded4jef4dee4fee4iee4ad7eb4j #ed4h #ec4d7e ,o4 #eg4eed4aed4hee4beg4eeg4eeg4cee4e #ea4i #ee4g #ec4h #e ,a4 #ef4jec4iea4ceb4jec4eeb4hed4jee4d #ea4e #ec4e #eb4e #af #ee4hec4iea4heb4eec4heb4ied4fed4i #ea4f #ec4f #eb4f #b #eg4ded4ded4ied4heg4aef4deg4aef4f #eb4f #ef4j #ed4c #g ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,note #a3 ,averages of #d years1 #d years1 and #h years4 ,note #b3 ,averages of #i years1 7#ahec-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ai years4 ,note #c3 ,averages of #g years 7#ahee-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ag years4 ,note #d3 ,averages of #i years 7#ahec-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ai years4 ,experiments on the ,growth of ,barley1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land1 ,without ,manure1 and ,with ,different ,descriptions of ,manure1 ,hoos ,field1 ,rothamsted1 ,england4 ,table ,,iv4--,offal ,corn per ,acre--lbs4 ,n4,b4 ,the double vertical lines show that there was a change in the description1 or quantity1 of ,manure1 at the period indicated1 for particulars of which see ,table ,i41 and foot-notes thereto1 p4 #bca4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ,harvests ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,plots #aheb #ahecahedaheeahefaheg #ahehaheiahfjahfaahfbahfc ---------------------------------------- ----------------- lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 #a ,o4 #afd #bbe #hd #add #aca #ic #hf #aaj #gh #hh #fd #di #b ,o4 #ajj #aja #aja #fi #eh #ajf #ajc #aei #hd #gh #aad #eh #c ,o4 #ahc #aea #fd #gf #abi #fa #if #hc #gh #hh #gc #ed #d ,o4 #acf #afj #aje #id #hh #ec #ajh #afj #gd #eh #aag #eg ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,means #adf #aei #hi #if #ajb #gh #ih #abi #gh #gh #ib #ee ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #a ,a4 #bah #bec #bja #ach #bai #aac #ih #ahd #aej #agj #bfi #aaf #b ,a4 #bfj #bad #aej #ahd #aba #hh #aad #bgd #aei #acj #aia #ii #c ,a4 #beb #ccf #aig #agg #ahj #ia #if #age #aae #aji #bfi #ajh #d ,a4 #bgc #bgd #ach #adb #abe #gj #aag #bec #aej #aaj #aej #ha ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,means #bea #bgg #agb #afj #afa #ia #ajf #bbb #adc #acj #bbj #aja ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #a ,,aa4 #bii #cjc #cbf #bjd #caj #ace #hh #bae #aji #agc #bif #aaj #b ,,aa4 #cae #bea #cbi #aha #bcc #acc #acd #cbj #aah #aij #acc #adc #c ,,aa4 #cah #bcf #ccd #bab #bij #ajh #aah #bfe #abb #ach #cfd #ie #d ,,aa4 #bdf #cja #bgc #aej #agf #ahc #adc #bhe #ada #agi #aia #ff ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,means #bid #bgc #caf #ahg #beb #adj #aba #bga #abc #agj #bdf #ajc ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #a ,,aas4 #b ,,aas4 #c ,,aas4 #d ,,aas4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #a ,c4 #agj #bfh #agh #bai #agc #ace #ajc #bbe #abj #aed #aed #he #b ,c4 #afd #caf #bch #aie #afa #afi #adh #aga #aef #aej #abh #aji #c ,c4 #aij #bif #bdh #ahc #ahi #aef #aje #bcf #aae #bjd #aij #ga #d ,c4 #add #bgg #bbg #bbb #bje #afh #abe #cej #aec #bjd #agd #ff ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,means #afg #cjd #bbc #bje #ahb #aeg #abj #bdf #acf #agh #afa #hc ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #a ,n4 7#id7bhc #aji #abh #bde #ii #aai #bje #adf #bbe #bde #abj #b ,n4 #bbh #bhf #bbd #aic #aea #aaj #bce #agi #aij #baf #aad ,m4 #cf #id #ij #hd #he #ge #gh #aih #df #e ,o4 7#agc7 #fh #aac #ej #if #aja #ga #aaj #gc #gc #aic #da #e ,a4 #agc #baj #agj #abf #aea #fh #aed #afh #aic #ahh #baj #ha #f #a #abj #bjj #add #aaf #aeb #gb #hd #aba #hh #gc #ge #ea #b #aah #afa #aai #gc #abe #aje #ha #abg #ie #fg #aid #fe #g #aja #bfi #hf #aji #ada #acd #aba #bfj #adg #aij #bjh #ff ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #ast ten3 ,first ten ,years1 #aheb-'fa4 #bnd ten3 ,second ten ,years1 #ahfb-'ga4 ,total ,period3 ,total ,period #bj ,years1 #aheb-'ga4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,harvests ,average ,annual4 ---------------------------------------- ----------- #ast #bnd ,total #ahfdahfeahffahfgahfhahfiahgjahga ten ten ,period ,plots ---------------------------------------- ---------------- lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4lbs4 lbs4 lbs lbs4 #db #dg #da #ij #ba #dd #ca #dh #abj #dh #hd #a ,o4 #fi #ch #ba #ec #bi #hi #ah #cc #if #eb #gd #b ,o4 #dc #ch #ch #fd #bg #gj #ah #ce #aja #df #gd #c ,o4 #da #bh #ee #fj #be #fi #bf #dh #ajd #ec #gh #d ,o4 ---------------------------------------- ----------- #di #ch #ci #fg #be #fh #bc #da #aje #ej #gh ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------- #ii #eh #id #aae #di #aci #bc #aje #agd #ajg #ada #a ,a4 #fc #hd #fd #gf #ch #aac #bf #ahi #agd #ajg #ada #b ,a4 #hc #ea #ajf #id #cd #ie #bd #hi #agc #ie #acd #c ,a4 #aaj #fj #fc #ga #ej #ba #bg #adf #afe #gh #abb #d ,a4 ---------------------------------------- ----------- #hi #fc #hb #hi #dc #ib #be #acb #aga #id #acc ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------- #aaj #fd #adh #aaj #df #fd #cc #acc #baf #aaa #afd #a ,,aa4 #ej #aac #aaa #fi #df #hi #bd #afh #bbj #ie #aeh #b ,,aa4 #gf #dh #ajc #ajf #ei #aaa #cf #acc #bad #aac #afd #c ,,aa4 #df #gf #acc #aai #dc #gh #cj #ij #bjh #hg #adh #d ,,aa4 ---------------------------------------- ----------- #ga #ge #abd #aja #dh #hf #ca #aca #bae #ajb #aei ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------- #id #ee #hh #he #di #aba #cc #id #ha #gd #gg #a ,,aas4 #ec #hf #if #ff #fd #fj #bc #aec #age #ge #gea #b ,,aas4 #gj #ej #ada #gi #ci #acf #bi #acj #he #hd #he #c ,,aas4 #ic #gj #hj #ic #df #abe #bf #age #hd #ic #hi #d ,,aas4 ---------------------------------------- ----------- #gg #fe #aja #ha #ej #aaa #bh #ach #ha #hb #hb ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------- #gh #hc #ajd #aji #dc #fi #be #gh #age #hc #abi #a ,c4 #ib #dd #hi #hi #fd #aaa #bd #hh #aic #hd #ach #b ,c4 #ij #ff #id #ia #ci #ia #cg #ada #aib #ia #adb #c ,c4 #abc #fi #abh #gb #db #fg #bh #abd #bjh #hi #adi #d ,c4 ---------------------------------------- ----------- #if #ff #ajd #ij #dg #he #bh #ajh #aib #hg #aci ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------- #gd #ih #abd #aai #fa #aej #cc #ii #agc #aab #ada #a ,n4 #ie #hd #ajd #hh #ce #ih #cc #aga #baii #ajd #adib #b ,n4 #eh #fi #dd #ef #bf #fa #be #eh #c7gg #fd #fi7c ,m4 #gh #ce #dh #ef #bj #ge #bc #da #d7hd #fa #gb7d #e ,o4 #ia #id #ec #gd #cc #fc #cj #add #afj #hg #abd #e ,a4 #ea #de #gb #ajc #bg #ga #bf #ej #aag #eg #hg #a #ed #dg #ea #hc #ba #eg #bc #da #ajg #fd #he #bf #aag #ef #adh #aaa #dh #ajj #bf #aga #aef #aje #acj #g ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,note #a3 ,averages of #d years1 #d years1 and #h years4 ,note #b3 ,averages of #i years1 7#ahec-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ai years4 ,note #c3 ,averages of #g years 7#ahee-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ag years4 ,note #d3 ,averages of #i years 7#ahec-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ai years4 ,experiments on the ,growth of ,barley1 ,year ,after ,year1 on the ,same ,land1 ,without ,manure1 and ,with ,different ,descriptions of ,manure1 ,hoos ,field1 ,rothamsted1 ,england4 ,table ,v4--,straw 7and chaff7 per ,acre--cwts4 ,n4,b4 ,the double vertical lines show that there was a change in the description1 or quantity1 of ,manure1 at the period indicated1 for particulars of which see ,table ,i41 and foot-notes thereto1 p4 #bca4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ,harvests ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,plots #aheb #ahecahedaheeahefahegahehaheiahfjahfaahf bahfc ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,cwts4 cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4 cwt4 #a ,o4 #af #ah #ba #ag #h #ab #aj #i #g #aa #i #aa #b ,o4 #af #ag #bc #ag #h #ae #ad #ab #h #ac #ab #ae #c ,o4 #af #ag #bj #ag #i #ae #ab #i #h #aa #aj #ac #d ,o4 #ai #bj #bc #ah #i #ag #af #ab #i #ae #ac #ae ---------------------------------------- ------------ ,means #ag #ah #bb #ag #i #ae #ac #aj #h #ab #aa #ac ---------------------------------------- ------------ #a ,a4 #bb #bc #cj #bd #ag #ag #ae #aa #ad #ai #bj #ba #b ,a4 #bf #be #dj #bi #ba #bf #bh #bd #be #bi #cb #cd #c ,a4 #bc #be #cc #bg #ag #ba #ag #ac #af #ba #bc #bf #d ,a4 #bg #bf #dj #ca #ba #bg #bi #bg #bf #cj #ca #cb ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,means #be #be #cf #bh #ai #bc #bb #ai #bj #be #bf #bh ---------------------------------------- ----------- #a ,,aa4 #bf #bf #cg #cb #bd #bc #ai #ad #ac #bb #ba #be #b ,,aa4 #bh #bh #dd #ch #ca #cb #cb #bf #bd #ca #ca #cb #c ,,aa4 #bf #bg #cg #cd #bf #bf #bb #af #ah #bd #bd #bg #d ,,aa4 #bh #ca #di #ci #cc #cfce #cj #bi #cc #cc #cd ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,means #bg #bh #db #cf #bh #bi #bg #ba #ba #bg #bg #cj ---------------------------------------- ----------- #a ,,aas4 #b ,,aas4 #c ,,aas4 #d ,,aas4 ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------- #a ,c4 #bd #bf #dc #cf #bf #cc #cj #bf #ag #bg #bf #bh #b ,c4 #bc #be #dd #cf #ca #cc #cc #bh #bj #cj #bg #cj #c ,c4 #ba #be #da #ce #bf #cj #cj #be #bj #cj #bc #bi #d ,c4 #bd #bg #db #cg #cj #cc #ce #bi #bb #ca #bh #cj ---------------------------------------- ----------- ,means #bc #bf #db #cf #bh #cb #cb #bg #bj #cj #bf #bi ---------------------------------------- ----------- #a ,n4 7#ae7 #bc #cc #bg #ai #bd #bj #ah #af #bg #bd #cj #b ,n4 #be #ch #cc #bh #cb #bc #ba #ah #bi #bd #bi ,m4 #ae #aj #aj #ab #aj #g #ae #ad #ai #e ,o4 7#be7 #ae #bj #ad #aj #ac #ab #aj #f #ag #aj #ae #e ,a4 #be #bd #ce #ca #bb #bg #bh #bf #be #ca #ca #cd #fa #ag #af #bb #ah #i #af #ab #aa #g #i #aj #ac #b #ad #ae #bj #af #i #ad #aa #aj #g #aj #aa #ad #g #ah #bb #cg #bg #ai #bc #ca #bh #be #ca #cd #cc ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #ast ten3 ,first ten ,years1 #aheb-'fa4 #bnd ten3 ,second ten ,years1 #ahfb-'ga4 ,total ,period3 ,total ,period #bj ,years1 #aheb-'ga4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,harvests ,average ,annual4 ---------------------------------------- ------------ #ast #bnd ,total #ahfdahfeahffahfgahfhahfiahgjahga ten ten ,period ,plots ---------------------------------------- ------------------ cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4cwt4 cwts4 cwts4 cwts4 #ab #h #i #aj #aa #aa #f #aa #ac #aj #aa #a ,o4 #ae #i #ab #ab #i #aj #h #ab #ad #aa #ac #b ,o4 #ac #i #aj #aj #h #aa #h #aa #ac #aj #ab #c ,o4 #af #aj #ab #ab #aj #ab #i #ad #af #ab #ad #d ,o4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------- #ad #i #aa #aa #i #aa #h #ab #ad #aa #ab ,means ---------------------------------------- ------------------- #bj #ac #ae #ag #ab #ah #ab #bc #ai #ag #ah #a ,a4 #cb #ba #bh #bh #ai #cb #ag #bh #bg #bg #bg #b ,a4 #ai #af #af #ai #ad #bj #ae #be #ba #ai #bj #c ,a4 #cd #bb #bg #be #bj #cd #ah #cb #bh #bh #bh #d ,a4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------ #bf #ah #ba #bb #af #bf #af #bg #bd #bc #bc ,means ---------------------------------------- ------------------ #bc #af #ag #ag #ad #ba #ag #bf #bd #bj #bb #a ,,aa4 #cc #bc #bh #cj #ba #cd #bc #cb #ca #bi #cj #b ,,aa4 #bf #ag #ah #bj #af #bb #bj #be #be #bb #bd #c ,,aa4 #cg #bd #bh #bh #be #ch #ah #cb #cd #cj #cb #d ,,aa4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------ #cj #bj #bc #bd #ai #bi #bj #bi #bi #be #bg ,means ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #bf #bb #bj #ah #af #bc #ag #bi #ba #ba #ba #a ,,aas4 #cc #bc #cj #bi #be #cg #bj #cfabi #bi #biab ,,aas4 #cj #bj #be #bc #bb #cj #bj #ca #bd #bf #be #c ,,aas4 #dj #be #bi #bh #bf #db #bj #ch #ca #cb #ca #d ,,aas4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #cb #bb #bf #bd #bb #cc #ai #cc #bf #bg #bg ,means ---------------------------------------- ------------------ #bf #ba #bd #be #ai #bg #ag #bg #bi #bd #bf #a ,c4 #ca #ba #bd #be #ai #cc #ag #bg #cj #bf #bh #b ,c4 #ca #bb #bd #bb #aj #cj #ah #cj #bh #be #bg #c ,c4 #cd #bb #bg #bd #ba #ce #bj #cb #ca #bg #bi #d ,c4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------ #ca #ba #be #bd #ai #ca #ah #bi #cj #be #bh ,means ---------------------------------------- ------------------ #bd #ah #ba #ba #ah #bd #ac #bibbc #bb #bbba ,n4 #bg #ba #bc #ba #ag #bg #ai #ca #bg #bd #bf #b ,n4 #ac #i #ab #ab #aj #aa #h #adc7aa #ab #ab7c ,m4 #ad #aj #aj #aj #h #ae #d #acd7ac #aa #ab7de ,o4 #cc #bd #bh #bb #bj #cf #ba #bi #bg #bh #bh #e ,a4 #ac #h #aj #i #aj #i #g #ac #ad #aj #ab #af #ac #h #i #aj #aj #aj #g #ac #ac #aa #ab #b #cg #be #ca #bg #bd #bh #ai #cg #bf #bi #bh #g ---------------------------------------- ------------------ ,note #a3 ,averages of #d years1 #d years1 and #h years4 ,note #b3 ,averages of #i years1 7#ahec-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ai years4 ,note #c3 ,averages of #g years 7#ahee-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ag years4 ,note #d3 ,averages of #i years 7#ahec-'fa71 last #aj years1 and total #ai years4 ,the produce of barley the first season 7#aheb71 was1 per acre3 ,on the unmanured plot #bg bushels ,with superphosphate of lime #bh 0 0 potash1 soda1 and magnesia #bf 0 0 0 0 0 and superphosphate #cb 0 0 #ad tons barn-yard manure #cc 0 0 #bjj lbs4 ammonia-salts alone #cf 0 0 0 0 and superphosphate #ch 0 0 0 0 and potash1 soda1 and magnesia #cf 0 0 0 0 and superphosphate1 potash1 soda1 and magnesia #dj 0 0 #djj lbs4 ammonia-salts alone #dd 0 ,the #bjj lbs4 of ammonia-salts contain #ej lbs4 of ammonia #da lbs4 nitrogen4 ,it will be seen that this #ej lbs4 of ammonia alone1 on plot #a;a1 gives an increase of nearly #aj bushels per acre1 or to be more accurate1 it gives an increase over the unmanured plot of #ejc lbs4 of grain1 and #cbi lbs4 of straw1 while double the quantity of ammonia on plot #a;a4a41 gives an increase of #ag bushels per acre--or an increase of #ija lbs4 of grain1 and #a1add lbs4 of straw4 8,put that fact in separate lines1 side by side10 said the ,deacon1 8so that we can see it40 ,total ,grain ,straw ,produce4 #ej lbs4 of ammonia gives an increase of #ejc lbs4 #gjd lbs4 #abjg lbs4 #ajj 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #ija 0 #aadd 0 #bjde 0 ,the first #ej lbs4 of ammonia gives an increase of #ejc 0 #gjd 0 #abjg 0 ,the second #ej lbs4 of ammonia gives an increase of #cih 0 #edj 0 #gch 0 8,that shows10 said the ,deacon1 8that a dressing of #ej lbs4 per acre pays better than a dressing of #ajj lbs4 per acre4 ,i wish ,mr4 ,lawes had sown #ge lbs4 on one plot40 ,i wish so1 too1 but it is quite probable that in our climate1 #ej lbs4 of available ammonia per acre is all that it will usually be profitable to apply per acre to the barley crop4 ,it is equal to a dressing of #ejj lbs4 guaranteed ,peruvian guano1 or #bge lbs4 nitrate of soda4 --8,or to how much manure80 asked the ,deacon4 ,to about #e tons of average stable-manure1 or say three tons of good1 well-rotted manure from grain-fed animals4 8,and yet10 said the ,deacon1 8,mr4 ,lawes put on #ad tons of yard manure per acre1 and the yield of barley was not as much as from the #ej lbs4 of ammonia alone4 ,how do you account for that80 ,simply because the ammonia in the manure is not ammonia4 ,it is what the chemists used to call 8potential ammonia40 ,a good deal of it is in the form of undigested straw and hay4 ,the nitrogenous matter of the food which has been digested by the animal and thrown off in the liquid excrements1 is in such a form that it will readily ferment and produce ammonia1 while the nitrogenous matter in the undigested food and in the straw used for bedding1 decomposes slowly even under the most favorable conditions2 and if buried while fresh in a clay soil1 it probably would not all decompose in many years4 ,but we will not discuss this at present4 8,the superphosphate does not seem to have done much good10 said the ,deacon2 8#c cwt4 per acre gives an increase of less than two bushels per acre4 ,and ,i suppose it was good superphosphate40 ,there need be no doubt on that point4 ,better superphosphate of lime cannot be made4 ,but you must recollect that this is pure superphosphate made from burnt bones4 ,it contains no ammonia or organic matter4 ,commercial superphosphates contain more or less ammonia1 and had they been used in these experiments1 they would have shown a better result than the pure article4 ,they would have done good in proportion to the available nitrogen they contained4 ,if these experiments prove anything1 they clearly indicate that superphosphate alone is a very poor manure for either wheat or barley4 ,the second year1 the unmanured plot gave #be bushels per acre4 ,potash1 soda1 and magnesia1 7or what the ,deacon calls 8ashes107 #bg bushels2 superphosphate #cc1 and 8ashes0 and superphosphate1 nearly #cf bushels per acre4 #ej lbs4 of ammonia1 alone1 gives nearly #ci bushels1 and ammonia and superphosphate together1 #dj bushels4 ,the superphosphate and 8ashes0 give a better account of themselves this year2 but it is remarkable that the ammonia alone1 gives almost as good a crop as the ammonia and superphosphate1 and a better crop than the ammonia and 8ashes10 or the ammonia1 superphosphate1 and ashes1 together4 ,the #ad tons farm-yard manure gives over #cf bushels per acre4 ,this plot has now had #bh tons of manure per acre1 yet the #ej lbs4 of ammonia alone1 still gives a better yield than this heavy dressing of manure4 ,the third season 7#ahed71 was quite favorable for the ripening of wheat and barley4 ,the seed on the experimental barley-field1 was sown ,feb4 #bd1 and the harvest was late2 so that the crop had an unusually long season for growth4 ,it was one of the years when even poor land1 if clean1 gives a good crop4 ,the unmanured plot1 it will be seen1 yielded over #ce bushels per acre of dressed grain1 weighing over #ec lbs4 per bushel4 ,the total weight of grain1 was #a1ifc lbs4 ,this is over #dj bushels per acre1 of #dh lbs4 per bushel1 which is the standard with us4 ,the #ad tons of farm-yard manure produce nearly #ef bushels per acre4 #ej lbs4 of ammonia1 on plot #a;a4 #dg bushels per acre4 #ajj 0 0 0 0 0 #a;a4a4 #ef 0 0 ,you will see1 that though the plot which has received #db tons of manure per acre1 produced a splendid crop2 the plot having nothing except #ajj lbs4 of ammonia per acre1 produced a crop equally good4 8,how much increase do you get from #ej lbs4 of ammonia10 asked the ,deacon1 8and how much from #ajj lbs480 ,equal ,amer4 ,grain4 ,straw4 ,bushels4 #ej lbs4 of ammonia1 gives an increase of #hjj lbs4 #ieb lbs4 #af bush4 #ajj 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #a1cej 0 #b1ajj 0 #bh 0 ,if you buy nitrate of soda at #c cents a lb41 the ammonia will cost #bj cents a lb4 ,in the above experiment1 #ej lbs4 of ammonia1 costing #aj1 gives an increase of #af bushels of barley1 and nearly half a ton of straw4 ,if the straw is worth #d4jj per ton1 the barley will cost #dh cents a bushel4 ,double the quantity of manure1 costing #bj1 gives an increase of #bh bushels of barley1 and over one ton of straw4 ,in this case the extra barley costs #eg cents a bushel4 ,on plot #b;a41 #ej lbs4 of ammonia and #c cwt4 of superphosphate1 give #c1dcg lbs4 of grain1 equal to #ga of our bushels per acre4 ,on plot #b;a4a41 #ajj lbs4 of ammonia and #c cwt4 of superphosphate1 give #c1fdc lbs4 of grain1 which lacks only #e lbs4 of #gf bushels per acre1 and nearly #b tons of straw4 8,that will do10 said the ,deacon1 8but ,i see that in #aheg1 this same plot1 with the same manure1 produced #ff bushels of dressed grain per acre1 weighing #ec lbs4 to the bushel1 or a total weight of #c1fif lbs41 equal to just #gg of our bushels per acre40 8,and yet10 said the ,doctor1 8this same year1 the plot which had #hd tons of farm-yard manure per acre1 produced only #b1iae lbs4 of grain1 or less than #fa of our bushels of barley per acre40 ,the ,squire happened in at this time1 and heard the last remark4 8,what are you saying10 he remarked1 8about only #fa bushels of barley per acre4 ,i should like to see such a crop4 ,last year1 in this neighborhood1 there were hundreds of acres of barley that did not yield #bj bushels per acre1 and very little of it would weigh #dd lbs4 to the bushel40 ,this is true4 ,and the maltsters find it almost impossible to get six-rowed barley weighing #dh lbs4 per bushel4 ,they told me1 that they would pay #a4aj per bushel for good bright barley weighing #dh lbs4 per bushel1 and for each pound it weighed less than this1 they deducted #aj cents a bushel from the price4 ,in other words1 they would pay #a4jj a bushel for barley weighing #dg lbs4 to the bushel2 #ij cents for barley weighing #df lbs42 #hj cents for barley weighing #de lbs41 and #gj cents for barley weighing #dd lbs4--and at these figures they much preferred the heaviest barley4 ,it is certainly well worth our while1 if we raise barley at all1 to see if we cannot manage not only to raise larger crops per acre1 but to produce barley of better quality4 ,and these wonderful experiments of ,mr4 ,lawes are well worth careful examination and study4 ,the ,squire put on his spectacles and looked at the tables of figures4 8,like everybody else10 said he1 8you pick out the big figures1 and to hear you talk1 one would think you scientific gentlemen never have any poor crops1 and yet ,i see that in #ahfj1 there are three different crops of only #ab1 #ab1 and #ac bushels per acre40 8,those10 said ,i1 8are the three plots which have grown barley every year without any manure1 and you have selected the worst year of the whole twenty40 8,perhaps so10 said the ,squire1 8but we have got to take the bad with the good1 and ,i have often heard you say that a good farmer who has his land rich and clean makes more money in an unfavorable than in a favorable season4 ,now1 this year #ahfj1 seems to have been an unfavorable one1 and yet your pet manure1 superphosphate1 only gives an increase of #adh lbs4 of barley--or three bushels and #d lbs4 ,yet this plot has had a tremendous dressing of #c cwt4 of superphosphate yearly since #aheb4 ,i always told you you lost money in buying superphosphate40 8,that depends on what you do with it4 ,i use it for turnips1 and tomatoes1 cabbages1 lettuce1 melons1 cucumbers1 etc41 and would not like to be without it2 but ,i have never recommended any one to use it on wheat1 barley1 oats1 ,indian corn1 or potatoes1 except as an experiment4 ,what ,i have recommended you to get for barley is1 nitrate of soda1 and superphosphate1 or ,peruvian guano4 ,and you will see that even in this decidedly unfavorable season1 the plot #b;a4a41 dressed with superphosphate and #bge lbs4 of nitrate of soda1 produced #b1cch lbs4 of barley1 or #dh bushels per acre4 ,this is an increase over the unmanured plots of #cc bushels per acre1 and an increase of #a1hgb lbs4 of straw4 ,and the plot dressed with superphosphate and #bjj lbs4 of salts of ammonia1 gave equally as good results40 ,and this1 mark you1 is the year which the ,squire selected as the one most likely to show that artificial manures did not pay4 8,i never knew a man except you10 said the ,squire1 8who wanted unfavorable seasons40 ,i have never said ,i wanted unfavorable seasons4 ,i should not dare to say so1 or even to cherish the wish for one moment4 ,but ,i do say1 that when we have a season so favorable that even poorly worked land will produce a fair crop1 we are almost certain to have prices below the average cost of production4 ,but when we have an unfavorable season1 such crops as barley1 potatoes1 and beans1 often advance to extravagantly high prices1 and the farmer who has good crops in such a season1 gets something like adequate pay for his patient waiting1 and for his efforts to improve his land4 8,that sounds all very well10 said the ,squire1 8but will it pay to use these artificial manures80 ,i do not wish to wander too much from the point1 but would like to remark before ,i answer that question1 that ,i am not a special advocate of artificial manures4 ,i think we can often make manures on our farms far cheaper than we can buy them4 ,but as the ,squire has asked the question1 and as he has selected from ,mr4 ,lawes' results1 the year #ahfj1 ,i will meet him on his own ground4 ,he has selected a season specially unfavorable for the growth of barley4 ,now1 in such an unfavorable year in this country1 barley would be likely to bring1 at least1 #a4be per bushel1 and in a favorable season not over #ge cents a bushel4 ,mr4 ,lawes keeps his land clean1 which is more than can be said of many barley-growers4 ,and in this unfavorable season of #ahfj1 he gets on his three unmanured plots an average of #gcj lbs4 of barley1 equal to #ae bushels per acre1 and not quite #hjj lbs4 of straw4 ,many of our farmers frequently do no better than this4 ,and you must recollect that in such careful experiments as those of ,mr4 ,lawes and ,dr4 ,gilbert1 great pains would be taken to get all the barley that grew on the land4 ,with us1 barley is cut with a reaper1 and admirable as our machines are1 it is not an easy matter to cut a light1 spindling crop of barley perfectly clean4 ,then1 in pitching the crop and drawing it in1 more or less barley is scattered1 and even after we have been over the field two or three times with a steel-tooth rake1 there is still considerable barley left on the ground4 ,i think we may safely assume that at least as much barley is left on the ground as we usually sow--say two bushels per acre4 ,and so1 instead of having #ae bushels per acre1 as ,mr4 ,lawes had1 we should only harvest #ac bushels4 ,of all our ordinary farm crops1 barley is attended with the least labor and expense4 ,we usually sow it after corn or potatoes4 ,on such strong land as that of ,mr4 ,lawes1 we ought to plow the land in the autumn and again in the spring1 or at least stir up the land thoroughly with a two or three-horse cultivator or gang-plow4 ,let us say that the cost of plowing1 harrowing1 drilling1 and rolling1 is #e4jj per acre4 ,seed1 #b4jj4 ,harvesting1 #b4jj4 ,threshing1 #f cents a bushel4 ,receipts3 #ac bushels barley #a4be #af4eg #hjj lbs4 of straw #d4 per ton #a4fj ------ ,putting in and harvesting the crop #i4jj ,threshing #ac bushels #f;c 4#hj #i4hj ------ ,rent and profit per acre #h4cg 8,that is a better showing than ,i expected10 said the ,squire1 8and as barley occupies the land only a few months1 and as we sow wheat after it1 we cannot expect large profits40 8,very well10 said ,i1 8,now let us take the crop1 this same unfavorable year1 on plot #b;a4a41 dressed with superphosphate and nitrate of soda40 ,the expense of plowing1 harrowing1 drilling1 rolling1 seed1 and harvesting1 would be about the same1 or we will say #b4jj an acre more for extra labor in harvesting4 ,and we will allow two bushels per acre for scatterings--though there is nothing like as much barley left on the ground when we have a good crop1 as when we have a poor crop4 ,but ,i want to be liberal4 ,the yield on plot #b;a4a41 was #dh bushels per acre1 and #b1gae lbs4 of straw4 ,receipts3 #df bushels #a4be #eh4dc #b1gae lbs4 straw #d4 per ton #e4dc ------ #fc4hf ,putting in the crop and harvesting #aa4jj ,threshing #df bushels #f c #b4hj #bge lbs4 nitrate of soda #d c #aa4jj #cib lbs4 superphosphate #b c #g4hd ------ #cb4fd ------ ,rent and profit #ca4bb ,in ordinary farm practice1 ,i feel sure we can do better than this4 ,growing barley year after year on the same land1 is not the most economical way of getting the full value of the manure4 ,there is much nitrogen and phosphoric acid left in the land1 which barley or even wheat does not seem capable of taking up1 but which would probably be of great benefit to the clover4 ,,manure ,,and ,,rotation ,,of ,,crops4 ,the old notion that there is any real chemical necessity for a rotation of crops is unfounded4 ,wheat can be grown after wheat1 and barley after barley1 and corn after corn1 provided we use the necessary manures and get the soil clean and in the right mechanical condition4 8,what1 then1 do we gain by a rotation80 asked the ,deacon4 ,much every way4 ,a good rotation enables us to clean the land4 ,we can put in different crops at different seasons4 8,so we could10 broke in the ,deacon1 8if we sowed wheat after wheat1 barley after barley1 and corn after corn40 ,true1 but if we sowed winter-wheat after winter-wheat1 there would not be time enough to clean the land4 8,just as much as when we sow wheat after oats1 or peas1 or barley40 8,true again1 ,deacon10 ,i replied1 8but we are supposed to have cleaned the land while it was in corn the previous year4 ,i say supposed1 because in point of fact1 many of our farmers do not half clean their land while it is in corn4 ,it is the weak spot in our agriculture4 ,if our land was as clean as it should be to start with1 there is no rotation so convenient in this section1 as corn the first year1 barley1 peas1 or oats the second year1 followed by winter-wheat seeded down4 ,but to carry out this rotation to the best advantage we need artificial manures40 8,but will they pay80 asks the ,deacon4 8,they will pay well1 provided we can get them at a fair price and get fair prices for our produce4 ,if we could get a good superphosphate made from ,charleston phosphates for #a cent per lb41 and nitrate of soda for #c or #d cents per lb41 and the ,german potash-salts for cent per lb41 and could get on the average #a4be per bushel for barley1 and #a4ge for good white wheat1 we could use these manures to great advantage40 8,nothing like barn-yard manure10 says the ,deacon4 ,no doubt on that point1 provided it is good manure4 ,barn-yard manure1 whether rich or poor1 contains all the elements of plant-food1 but there is a great difference between rich and poor manure4 ,the rich manure contains twice or three times as much nitrogen and phosphoric acid as ordinary or poor manure4 ,and this is the reason why artificial manures are valuable in proportion to the nitrogen and phosphoric acid that they contain in an available condition4 ,when we use two or three hundred pounds per acre of a good artificial manure we in effect1 directly or indirectly1 convert poor manure into rich manure4 ,there is manure in our soil1 but it is poor4 ,there is manure in our barn-yard1 but it is poor also4 ,nitrogen and phosphoric acid will make these manures rich4 ,this is the reason why a few pounds of a good artificial manure will produce as great an effect as tons of common manure4 ,depend upon it1 the coming farmer will avail himself of the discoveries of science1 and will use more artificial fertilizers4 ,but whether we use artificial fertilizers or farm-yard manure1 we shall not get the full effect of the manures unless we adopt a judicious rotation of crops4 ,when we sow wheat after wheat1 or barley after barley1 or oats after oats1 we certainly do not get the full effect of the manures used4 ,mr4 ,lawes' experiments afford conclusive evidence on this point4 ,you will recollect that in #ahdf1 one of the plots of wheat 7#aj;b71 which had received a liberal dressing of salts of ammonia the year previous1 was left without manure1 and the yield of wheat on this plot was no greater than on the plot which was continuously unmanured4 ,in other words1 the ammonia which was left in the soil from the previous year1 had no effect on the wheat4 ,the following table shows the amount of nitrogen furnished by the manure1 and the amount recovered in the crop1 when wheat is grown after wheat for a series of years1 and also when barley is grown after barley1 and oats after oats4 ,table ,showing the ,amount of ,nitrogen ,recovered1 and ,not ,recovered1 in ,increase of ,produce1 for #ajj ,supplied in ,manure4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,for #ajj ,nitrogen ,p in ,manure l ,manures ,per ,acre1 ,per ,annum4 -------------------- o ,recovered ,not ,rec'd t in in s ,increase4 ,increase4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,wheat--#bj ,years1 #aheb-ahga4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- #f ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #bjj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts 7 #da lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #cb4d #fg4f #g ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #djj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts 7 #hb lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #cb4i #fg4a #h ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #fjj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts 7 #abc lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #ca4e #fh4e #af ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #hjj lbs4#a ,ammonia-salts 7 #afd lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #bh4e #ga4e #i;,a ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #eej lbs4#b ,nitrate ,soda 7 #hb lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #de4c #ed4g #b #ad tons ,farmyard-,manure every year4 #ad4f #he4d ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,barley--#bj ,years1 #aheb-ahga4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- #d;,a ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #bjj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts 7 #da lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #dh4a #ea4i #d;,,aa,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #djj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts 7 #hb lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #di4h #ej4b #f years1 #aheb-'eg ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #bjj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts 7 #da lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #aj years1 #aheh-'fg ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #bge lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda 7 #da lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #d years1 #ahfh-'ga #d;,c ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #bjjj lbs4 ,rape-cake 7 #ie lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #cf4c #fc4g #f years1 #aheb-'eg ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #ajjj lbs4 ,rape-cake 7 #dg4e lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #ad years1 #aheh-'ga #g #ad tons ,farmyard-,manure every year4 #aj4g #hi4c ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,oats--#c ,years1 #ahfi-ahga4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- #d ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #djj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts 7 #hb lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #ea4i #dh4a #f ,mixed ,mineral ,manure and #eej lbs4 ,nitrate ,soda 7 #hb lbs4 ,nitrogen7 #ej4d #di4f ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,note #a3 #ac years only1 #aheb-ahfd4 ,note #b3 #dge lbs4 ,nitrate #ga lbs4 ,nitrogen in #aheb2 #bge lbs4 #da lbs4 ,nitrogen in #ahec and #ahed2 #eej lbs4 #hb lbs4 ,nitrogen each year afterwards4 ,it is not necessary to make any comments on this table4 ,it speaks for itself2 but it does not tell half the story4 ,for instance1 in the case of wheat and barley1 it gives the average result for #bj years4 ,it shows that when #ajj lbs4 of nitrogen in a soluble and available form1 are applied to wheat1 about #fh lbs4 are left in the soil4 ,but you must recollect that #ajj lbs4 was applied again the next year1 and no account is taken of the #fh lbs4 left in the soil--and so on for #bj years4 ,in other words1 on plot #h1 for instance1 #b1dfj lbs4 of nitrogen have been applied1 and only #gge lbs4 have been recovered in the total produce of grain1 straw1 and chaff1 and #a1fhe lbs4 have been left in the soil4 ,mr4 ,lawes estimates1 from several analyses1 that his farm-yard manure contains #j4fcg per cent of nitrogen1 #b4gf per cent of mineral matter1 and #bg4bd per cent of organic matter1 and #gj per cent of water4 ,according to this1 the plot dressed with #ad tons of manure every year1 for #bj years1 has received #c1iie lbs4 of nitrogen1 of which #ehc lbs4 were recovered in the produce1 and #c1daa lbs4 were left in the soil4 ,in the case of barley1 #c1iie lbs4 of nitrogen was applied during the #bj years to the plot dressed with farm-yard manure1 of which #dbg lbs4 were recovered in the crop1 and #c1efg lbs4 left in the soil4 8,i see10 said the ,deacon1 8that barley gets less of the goodness out of farm-yard manure than wheat1 but that it gets more out of the salts of ammonia and nitrate of soda4 ,how do you account for that80 8,i suppose1 because the manure for wheat was applied in the autumn1 and the rains of winter and spring dissolved more of the plant-food than would be the case if the manure was applied in the spring4 ,if the manure had been applied on the surface1 instead of plowing it under1 ,i believe the effect would have been still more in favor of the autumn-manuring40 ,when the nitrogen is in an available condition1 spring barley can take up and utilize a larger proportion of the nitrogen than winter wheat4 ,neither the wheat nor the barley can get at and take up half what is applied1 and this1 notwithstanding the fact that a heavy dew or a slight rain furnishes water enough on an acre to dissolve a liberal dressing of nitrate of soda or sulphate and muriate of ammonia4 ,the truth is1 the soil is very conservative4 ,it does not1 fortunately for us1 yield up all its plant-food in a year4 ,we have seen that when wheat or barley is dressed with soluble ammonia-salts or nitrate of soda1 a considerable amount of the nitrogen is left in the soil--and yet this nitrogen is of comparatively little benefit to the succeeding crops of wheat or barley1 while a fresh dressing of ammonia-salts or nitrate of soda is of great benefit to the crop4 ,in other words1 when wheat is sown after wheat1 or barley after barley1 we do not get half the benefit from the manure which it is theoretically capable of producing4 ,now1 the question is1 whether by a judicious rotation of crops1 we can avoid this great loss of manure8 ,there was a time when it was thought that the growth of turnips enriched the soil4 ,i have heard it said1 again and again1 that the reason ,english farmers grow larger crops of wheat and barley than we do1 is because they grow so many acres of turnips4 8,so ,i have often heard10 said the ,deacon1 8and ,i supposed the broad turnip leaves absorbed nitrogen from the atmosphere40 ,there is no evidence that leaves have any such power2 while there are many facts which point in an opposite direction4 ,the following experiments of ,lawes and ,gilbert seem to show that the mere growth of turnips does not enrich land for grain crops4 ,turnips were grown on the same land1 year after year1 for ten years4 ,the land was then plowed and sown to barley for three years4 ,the following table gives the results3 ,three ,years of ,barley ,after ,ten ,years of ,turnips4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,produce of ,barley per ,acre4 ,particulars of ,manures1 etc4 ------------------------- #ahec4 #ahed4 #ahee4;,average #c years ---------------------------------------- --------------------- bush4 bush4 bush4 bush4 ,hoos-,field-- ,barley1 without manure1 after #c #bf #ce #cd #ca corn-crops ,barn-,field-- ,barley1 after #aj yrs4 ,turnips manured as under-- #a4--,mineral manures 7last #h years7 #bj #ai #bj #bj #b4--,mineral manures 7#h yrs472 ,ammonia-salts 7#f yrs474 #bc #ba #ba #bb #c4--,mineral manures 7#h yrs472 ,rape-cake 7#f yrs47 #bh #bd #bc #be #d4--,mineral manures 7#h yrs472 ,ammonia-salts and ,rape-cake 7#f yrs47 #bi #bc #bc #be #e4--,mineral manures 7#h yrs472 ,ammonia-salts1 for ,barley1 #ahed 7#bj7 #eb #bf #ci #f4--,mineral manures 7#h yrs472 ,ammonia-salts1 for ,barley1 '#ed and '#ee 7#bj7 #ed #di #dg ---------------------------------------- --------------------- ,the yield of barley after turnips is less than it is after grain crops1 and it is evident that this is due to a lack of available nitrogen in the soil4 ,in other words1 the turnips leave less available nitrogen in the soil than grain crops4 ,after alluding to the facts given in the foregoing table1 ,messrs4 ,lawes and ,gilbert say3 8,there is evidence of another kind that may be cited as showing that it was of available nitrogen that the turnips had rendered the soil so deficient for the after-growth of barley4 ,it may be assumed that1 on the average1 between #be and #cj lbs4 of nitrogen would be annually removed from the ,rothamsted soil by wheat or barley grown year after year without nitrogenous manure4 ,but it is estimated that from the mineral-manured turnip-plots there were1 over the #aj years1 more than #ej lbs4 of nitrogen per acre per annum removed4 ,as1 however1 on some of the plots1 small quantities of ammonia-salts or rape-cake were applied in the first two years of the ten of turnips1 it is1 perhaps1 more to the purpose to take the average over the last #h years of turnips only2 and this would show about #de lbs4 of nitrogen removed per acre per annum4 ,an immaterial proportion of this might be due to the small amounts of nitrogenous manures applied in the first two years4 ,still1 it may be assumed that about #a time as much nitrogen was removed from the land for #h1 if not for #aj years1 in succession1 as would have been taken in an equal number of crops of wheat or barley grown without nitrogenous manure4 ,no wonder1 then1 that considerably less barley has been grown in #c years after a series of mineral-manured turnip-crops1 than was obtained in another field after a less number of corn-crops4 8,the results obtained in ,barn-field afford a striking illustration of the dependence of the turnip-plant on a supply of available nitrogen within the soil1 and of its comparatively great power of exhausting it4 ,they are also perfectly consistent with those in ,hoos-field1 in showing that mineral manures will not yield fair crops of barley1 unless there be1 within the soil1 a liberal supply of available nitrogen4 ,the results obtained under such very different conditions in the two fields are1 in fact1 strikingly mutually confirmatory40 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,,manures ,,for ,,oats4 8,what is the use of talking about manure for oats10 said the ,deacon1 8if land is not rich enough to produce oats without manure1 it certainly will not pay to manure them4 ,we can use our manure on some crop that will pay better40 8,that is precisely what we want to know10 said ,i4 8,very likely you are right1 but have you any evidence80 8,evidence of what80 8,have you any facts that show1 for instance1 that it will pay better to use manure for wheat or barley than for oats80 8,can't say that ,i have1 but ,i think manure will pay better on wheat than on oats40 ,mr4 ,lawes is making a series of experiments on oats4 ,let us take a hasty glance at the results of the first two seasons3 ,experiments on ,oats at ,rothamsted4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- ,grain1 in ,straw1 ,weight per bushels4 cwts4 bushel1 lbs4 ,manures per ,acre4 ------------------------------- #ahfi #ahgj #ahfi #ahgj #ahfi #ahgj ---------------------------------------- ------------------- #a4--,no manure #cf #af #ai #i #cf #ce #b4--,mixed ,alkalies and ,superphosphate of ,lime #de #ai #bd #i #ch #ce #c4--djj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts #ef #cg #cf #ag #cg #cd #d4--,mixed ,alkalies and ,superphosphate1 and #djj lbs4 ,ammonia-salts #ge #ej #ed #bh #ci #cf #e4--eej lbs4 ,nitrate of ,soda #fb #cf #db #bc #ch #ce #f4--,mixed ,alkalies1 ,superphosphate1 and #eej lbs4 ,nitrate of ,soda #fi #ej #di #bh #ch #ce ---------------------------------------- ------------------- ,it seems clear that1 for oats1 as for barley and wheat1 what we most need in manure1 is available nitrogen4 ,the first year1 the no-manure plot produced #cf bushels of oats per acre1 weighing #cf lbs4 per bushel1 and plot #c1 with ammonia-salts alone1 #ef bushels1 and with nitrate of soda alone1 on plot #e1 #fb bushels per acre1 both weighing #ch lbs4 per bushel4 ,in other words1 #hb lbs4 of available nitrogen in the salts of ammonia gave an increase of about #bj bushels per acre1 and the same quantity of nitrogen in nitrate of soda an increase of #bf bushels per acre4 ,the next year1 the season seems to have been a very unfavorable one for oats4 ,the no-manure plot produced less than #ag bushels per acre2 and the 8ashes0 and superphosphate on plot #b1 give an increase of less than #c bushels per acre4 ,but it will be seen that on plot #c the ammonia-salts do as much good in this unfavorable season as in the favorable one4 ,they give an increase of over #bj bushels per acre4 8,a few such facts as this10 said the ,deacon1 8would almost persuade me that you are right in contending that it is in the unfavorable seasons1 when prices are sure to be high in this country1 that a good farmer stands the best chance to make money40 8,where mixed alkalies and superphosphate10 said the ,doctor1 8are added to the ammonia1 the increase from the ammonia is far greater than where ammonia is used alone4 ,in other words1 by comparing plot #b and plot #d1 you will see that the ammonia gives an increase of #cj bushels per acre in #ahfi1 and #ca bushels in #ahgj40 ,the truth of the matter probably is this3 #ajj lbs4 of available ammonia per acre is an excessive supply1 when used alone4 ,and in fact ,mr4 ,lawes himself only recommends about half this quantity4 ,whether it will pay us to use artificial manures on oats depends on the price we are likely to get for the oats4 ,when the price of oats per lb4 and oat-straw is as high as barley and barley-straw per lb41 then it will pay a little better to use manure on oats than on barley4 ,as a rule in this country1 however1 good barley is worth more per lb4 than good oats2 and it will usually pay better to use artificial manures on barley than on oats4 ,some years ago ,mr4 ,bath1 of ,virginia1 made some experiments on oats with the following results3 ,bushels of oats per acre4 ,no4 #a--bjj lbs4 ,superphosphate #bb ,no4 #b--bjj lbs4 ,peruvian guano #dh ,no4 #c--ajj lbs4 ,peruvian guano #cb ,the oats were sown ,march #ac1 and the crop harvested ,july #d4 ,in #ahfj1 ,i made some experiments with gypsum1 superphosphate1 and sulphate of ammonia as a top-dressing on oats4 ,the land was a clover-sod1 plowed about the middle of ,may1 and the oats sown ,may #bj4 ,on the #bfth of ,may1 just as the oats were coming up1 the manures were sown broadcast4 ,the oats were sown too late to obtain the best results4 ,on another field1 where the oats were sown two weeks earlier1 the crop was decidedly better4 ,the oats were cut ,august #bh4 ,the following is the result3 ,experiments on ,oats at ,moreton ,farm1 ,rochester1 ,n4,y4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,bushels ,weight_/ ,straw ,plots4 ,manures per ,acre4 of ,oats_/,bushel per acre acre4 in lbs4 in lbs4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,no4 #a ,no manure #cf #bb #a1ieh #b #fjj lbs4 ,gypsum 7,sulphate of ,lime7 #dg #bf #b1dge #c #cjj lbs4 ,superphosphate of ,lime #ej #ba #b1dge #d #cjj lbs4 ,sulphate of ,ammonia #ej #bb #b1gcj #e #cjj lbs4 ,superphosphate of ,lime1 and #cjj lbs4 ,sulphate of ,ammonia #ea #bb #b1ege ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,these experiments were made when my land was not as clean as it is now4 ,i presume the weeds got more benefit from the ammonia than the oats4 ,to top-dress foul land with expensive artificial manures is money thrown away4 ,if the land had been plowed in the autumn1 and the seed and manures could have been put in early in the spring1 ,i presume we should have had more favorable results4 8,are you not ashamed to acknowledge10 said the ,deacon1 8that you have ever raised oats weighing only #bb lbs4 per bushel40 ,no4 ,i have raised even worse crops than this--and so has the ,deacon4 ,but ,i made up my mind that such farming did not pay1 and ,i have been trying hard since then to clean my land and get it into better condition4 ,and until this is done1 it is useless to talk much of artificial manures4 ,the most striking result is the effect of the gypsum4 ,it not only gave an increased yield of #aa bushels per acre1 but the oats were of decidedly better quality1 and there was nearly half a ton more straw per acre than on the plot alongside1 where no manure was used4 ,the superphosphate was a good article1 similar to that used in ,mr4 ,lawes' experiments4 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,,manures ,,for ,,potatoes4 ,some time ago1 a farmer in ,pennsylvania wrote me that he wanted 8to raise a first-rate crop of potatoes40 ,i answered him as follows through the ,american ,agriculturist3 8,there are many ways of doing this4 ,but as you only enter on the farm this spring1 you will work to disadvantage4 ,to obtain the best results1 it is necessary to prepare for the crop two or three years beforehand4 ,all that you can do this year is to select the best land on the farm1 put on #djj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano1 cultivate thoroughly1 and suffer not a weed to grow4 ,a two or three-year-old clover-sod1 on warm1 rich1 sandy loam1 gives a good chance for potatoes4 ,do not plow until you are ready to plant4 ,sow the guano broadcast after plowing1 and harrow it in1 or apply a tablespoonful in each hill1 and mix it with the soil4 ,mark out the rows1 both ways1 three feet apart1 and drop a fair-sized potato in each hill4 ,start the cultivator as soon as the rows can be distinguished1 and repeat every week or ten days until there is danger of disturbing the roots4 ,we usually hill up a little1 making a broad1 flat hill4 ,a tablespoonful of plaster1 dusted on the young plants soon after they come up1 will usually do good4 ,we recommend guano1 because in our experience it does not increase the rot4 ,but it is only fair to add1 that we have not found even barn-yard manure1 if thoroughly rotted and well mixed with the soil the fall previous1 half so injurious as some people would have us suppose4 ,if any one will put #be loads per acre on our potato land1 we will agree to plant and run the risk of the rot4 ,but we would use some guano as well4 ,the truth is1 that it is useless to expect a large crop of potatoes1 say #cej bushels per acre1 without plenty of manure40 ,this was written before the potato-beetle made its appearance4 ,but ,i think ,i should say the same thing now--only put it a little stronger4 ,the truth is1 it will not pay to 8fight the bugs0 on a poor crop of potatoes4 ,we must select the best land we have and make it as rich as possible4 8,but why do you recommend ,peruvian guano10 asked the ,doctor1 8rather than superphosphate or ashes8 ,potatoes contain a large amount of potash1 and one would expect considerable benefit from an application of ashes40 8,ashes1 plaster1 and hen-dung10 said the ,judge1 8will at any rate pay well on potatoes4 ,i have tried this mixture again and again1 and always with good effect40 8,i believe in the hen-dung10 said ,i1 8and possibly in the plaster1 but on my land1 ashes do not seem to be specially beneficial on potatoes1 while ,i have rarely used ,peruvian guano without good effect2 and sometimes it has proved wonderfully profitable1 owing to the high price of potatoes40 ,sometime ago1 ,i had a visit from one of the most enterprising and successful farmers in ,western ,new ,york4 8,what ,i want to learn10 he said1 8is how to make manure enough to keep my land in good condition4 ,i sell nothing but beans1 potatoes1 wheat1 and apples4 ,i feed out all my corn1 oats1 stalks1 straw1 and hay on the farm1 and draw into the barn-yard the potato-vines and everything else that will rot into manure4 ,i make a big pile of it4 ,but the point with me is to find out what is the best stock to feed this straw1 stalks1 hay1 oats1 and corn to1 so as to make the best manure and return the largest profit4 ,last year ,i bought a lot of steers to feed in winter1 and lost money4 ,this fall ,i bought #fh head of cows to winter1 intending to sell them in the spring40 8,what did they cost you80 8,i went into ,wyoming and ,cattaraugus ,counties1 and picked them up among the dairy farmers1 and selected a very fair lot of cows at an average of #bb per head4 ,i expect to sell them as new milch cows in the spring4 ,such cows last spring would have been worth #fj to #gj each40 8,that will pay4 ,but it is not often the grain-grower gets such a chance to feed out his straw1 stalks1 and other fodder to advantage4 ,it cannot be adopted as a permanent system4 ,it is bad for the dairyman1 and no real help to the grain-grower4 ,the manure is not rich enough4 ,straw and stalks alone can not be fed to advantage4 ,and when you winter cows to sell again in the spring1 it will not pay to feed grain4 ,if you were going to keep the cows it would pay well4 ,the fat and flesh you put on in the winter would be returned in the form of butter and cheese next summer40 8,why is not the manure good8 ,i am careful to save everything1 and expect seven or eight hundred loads of manure in the spring40 8,you had #fj acres of wheat that yielded #be bushels per acre1 and have probably about #ej tons of wheat straw4 ,you had also #cj acres oats1 that yielded #ej bushels per acre1 say #ce tons of straw4 ,your #bj acres of corn produced #dj bushels of shelled corn per acre2 say the stalks weigh #cj tons4 ,and you have #fj tons of hay1 half clover and half timothy4 ,let us see what your manure from this amount of grain and fodder is worth4 ,manures from #ej tons wheat-straw1 #b4fh #acd4jj #ce tons oat-straw1 #b4ij #aja4ej #cj tons corn-stalks1 #c4eh #ajg4dj #cj tons timothy-hay1 #f4dc #aib4ij #cj tons clover-hay1 #i4fd #bhi4bj #ad tons oats 7#a1ejj bush471 #g4gj #ajg4hj #bd tons corn 7#hjj bushels71 #f4fe #aei4fj --------- ,total #bac tons #a1jib4dj 8,this is the value of the manure on the land4 ,assuming that there are #fjj loads1 and that the labor of cleaning out the stables1 piling1 carting1 and spreading the manure is worth #cj cents per load1 or #ahj1 we have #iab4dj as the net value of the manure4 8,now1 your #bej-;acre farm might be so managed that this amount of manure annually applied would soon greatly increase its fertility4 ,but you do not think you can afford to summer-fallow1 and you want to raise thirty or forty acres of potatoes every year40 8,i propose to do so10 he replied4 8,situated as ,i am1 close to a good shipping station1 no crop pays me better4 ,my potatoes this year have averaged me over #ajj per acre40 8,very good4 ,but it is perfectly clear to my mind that sooner or later1 you must either farm slower or feed higher4 ,and in your case1 situated close to a village where you can get plenty of help1 and with a good shipping station near by1 you had better adopt the latter plan4 ,you must feed higher1 and make richer manure4 ,you now feed out #bac tons of stuff1 and make #fjj loads of manure1 worth #iab4dj4 ,by feeding out one third1 or #ga tons more1 you can more than double the value of the manure4 #ej tons of bran or mill-feed would give manure worth #gbi4ej #ba tons decorticated cotton-seed cake #ehe4jf --------- #a1cad4ef 8,buy and feed out this amount of bran and cake1 and you would have #hjj loads of manure1 worth on the land #b1bbf4if1 or1 estimating as before that it cost #cj cents a load to handle it1 its net value would be #a1ihf4if40 ,i am well aware that comparatively few farmers in this section can afford to adopt this plan of enriching their land4 ,we want better stock4 ,i do not know where ,i could buy a lot of steers that it would pay to fatten in the winter4 ,those farmers who raise good grade ,shorthorn or ,devon cattle are not the men to sell them half-fat at low rates4 ,they can fatten them as well as ,i can4 ,for some time to come1 the farmer who proposes to feed liberally1 will have to raise his own stock4 ,he can rarely buy well-bred animals to fatten4 ,a good farmer must be a good farmer throughout4 ,he can not be good in spots4 ,his land must be drained1 well-worked1 and free from weeds4 ,if he crops heavily he must manure heavily1 and to do this he must feed liberally--and he can not afford to feed liberally unless he has good stock4 8,i have1 myself1 no doubt but you are right on this point10 said the ,doctor1 8but all this takes time4 ,suppose a farmer becomes satisfied that the manure he makes is not rich enough4 ,to tell him1 when he is anxious to raise a good crop of potatoes next year1 that he must go to work and improve his stock of cattle1 sheep1 and swine1 and then buy bran and oil-cake to make richer manure1 is somewhat tantalizing40 ,this is true1 and in such a case1 instead of adding nitrogen and phosphoric acid to his manure in the shape of bran1 oil-cake1 etc41 he can buy nitrogen and phosphoric acid in guano or in nitrate of soda and superphosphate4 ,this gives him richer manure2 which is precisely what he wants for his potatoes4 ,his poor manure is not so much deficient in potash as in nitrogen and phosphoric acid1 and consequently it is nitrogen and phosphoric acid that he will probably need to make his soil capable of producing a large crop of potatoes4 ,i have seen ,peruvian guano extensively used on potatoes1 and almost always with good effect4 ,my first experience with it in this country1 was in #aheb4 ,four acres of potatoes were planted on a two-year-old clover-sod1 plowed in the spring4 ,on two acres1 ,peruvian guano was sown broadcast at the rate of #cjj lbs4 per acre and harrowed in4 ,the potatoes were planted ,may #aj4 ,on the other two acres no manure of any kind was used1 though treated exactly alike in every other respect4 ,the result was as follows3 ,no manure #aai bushels per acre4 #cjj lbs4 ,peruvian guano #bje 0 0 ,the guano cost1 here1 about #c cents a lb41 and consequently nine dollars' worth of guano gave #hd bushels of potatoes4 ,the potatoes were all sound and good1 but where the guano was used1 they were larger1 with scarcely a small one amongst them4 ,in #aheg1 ,i made the following experiments on potatoes1 in the same field on which the preceding experiment was made in #aheb4 ,in this case1 as before1 the land was a two-year-old clover-sod4 ,it was plowed about the first of ,may1 and harrowed until it was in a good mellow condition4 ,the potatoes were planted in hills #c feet apart each way4 ,the following table shows the manures used and the yield of potatoes per acre4 ,experiments on ,potatoes at ,moreton ,farm4 ,p4 ,number of ,plot4 ,y_/,a ,yield of ,potatoes per acre1 in bushels4 ,i_/,a ,increase of ,potatoes per acre1 in bushels1 caused by manure4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,description of ,manures ,used1 and ,quantities ,p4 ,applied per ,acre4 ,y_/,a ,i_/,a ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- #a4 ,no manure #ie #b4 #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia #adj #de #c4 #cjj lbs4 superphosphate of lime #acb #cg #d4 #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia1 and #cjj lbs4 superphosphate of lime #agi #hd #e4 #djj lbs4 of unleached wood-ashes #ajj #e #f4 #ajj lbs4 plaster1 7gypsum1 or sulphate of lime17 #aja #f #g4 #djj lbs4 unleached wood-ashes and #ajj lbs4 plaster #aaj #ae #h4 #djj lbs4 unleached wood-ashes1 #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia and #ajj lbs4 plaster #aji #ad #i4 #cjj lbs4 superphosphate of lime1 #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia and #djj lbs4 unleached wood-ashes #ach #dc ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,the superphosphate of lime was made expressly for experimental purposes1 from calcined bones1 ground fine1 and mixed with sulphuric acid in the proper proportions to convert all the phosphate of lime of the bones into the soluble superphosphate4 ,it was a purely mineral article1 free from ammonia and other organic matter4 ,it cost about two and a half cents per pound4 ,the manures were deposited in the hill1 covered with an inch or two of soil1 and the seed then planted on the top4 ,where superphosphate of lime or sulphate of ammonia was used in conjunction with ashes1 the ashes were first deposited in the hill and covered with a little soil1 and then the superphosphate or sulphate of ammonia placed on the top and covered with soil before the seed was planted4 ,notwithstanding this precaution1 the rain washed the sulphate of ammonia into the ashes1 and decomposition1 with loss of ammonia1 was the result4 ,this will account for the less yield on plot #h than on plot #b4 ,it would have been better to have sown the ashes broadcast1 but some previous experiments with ,peruvian guano on potatoes indicated that it was best to apply guano in the hill1 carefully covering it with soil to prevent it injuring the seed1 than to sow it broadcast4 ,it was for this reason1 and for the greater convenience in sowing1 that the manures were applied in the hill4 ,the ash of potatoes consists of about #ej per cent of potash1 and this fact has induced many writers to recommend ashes as a manure for this crop4 ,it will be seen1 however1 that in this instance1 at least1 they have very little effect1 #djj lbs4 giving an increase of only five bushels per acre4 ,one hundred pounds of plaster per acre gave an increase of six bushels4 ,plaster and ashes combined1 an increase per acre of #ae bushels4 ,one fact is clearly brought out by these experiments3 that this soil1 which has been under cultivation without manure for many years1 is not1 relatively to other constituents of crops1 deficient in potash4 ,had such been the case1 the sulphate of ammonia and superphosphate of lime--manures which contain no potash--would not have give a an increase of #hd bushels of potatoes per acre4 ,there was sufficient potash in the soil1 in an available condition1 for #agi bushels of potatoes per acre2 and the reason why the soil without manure produced only #ie bushels per acre1 was owing to a deficiency of ammonia and phosphates4 ,since these experiments were made1 ,dr4 ,vlcker and others have made similar ones in ,england4 ,the results on the whole all point in one direction4 ,they show that the manures most valuable for potatoes are those rich in nitrogen and phosphoric acid1 and that occasionally potash is also a useful addition4 8,there is one thing ,i should like to know10 said the ,doctor4 8,admitting that nitrogen and phosphoric acid and potash are the most important elements of plant-food1 how many bushels of potatoes should we be likely to get from a judicious application of these manures80 8,there is no way10 said ,i1 8of getting at this with any degree of certainty4 ,the numerous experiments that have been made in ,england seem to show that a given quantity of manure will produce a larger increase on poor land than on land in better condition40 ,in ,england potatoes are rarely if ever planted without manure1 and the land selected for this crop1 even without manure1 would usually be in better condition than the average potato land of this section1 and consequently a given amount of manure1 applied to potatoes here1 would be likely to do more good1 up to a certain point1 than the same amount would in ,england4 ,let us look at some of the experiments that have been made in ,england3-- ,in the ,transactions of the ,highland and ,agricultural ,society of ,scotland for #ahgc is a prize essay on 8,experiments upon ,potatoes1 with ,potash ,salts1 on ,light ,land10 by ,charles ,d4 ,hunter1 ,f4,c4,s41 made on the farm of ,william ,lawson1 in ,cumberland4 ,mr4 ,hunter 8was charged with the manuring of the farm and the purchasing of chemical manures to the annual value of #b1jjj10 or say #aj1jjj4 8,potatoes10 says ,mr4 ,hunter1 8were largely grown on the farm1 and in the absence of a sufficiency of farm-yard manure1 potash naturally suggested itself as a necessary constituent of a chemical potato-manure4 ,the soil was light and gravelly1 with an open subsoil1 and the rainfall from #bi to #ch inches a year40 ,the first series of experiments was made in #ahfg4 ,the following are some of the results3-- ,bushels per acre4 ,no manure #bba #d cwt4 mineral superphosphate #bbe #d cwt4 mineral superphosphate and #bdj #d cwt4 of muriate of potash #ae tons farm-yard manure #bic 8,that does not say much for potash and superphosphate10 said the ,deacon4 8,the superphosphate only produced four bushels more than the no manure1 and the potash and superphosphate only fifteen bushels more than the superphosphate alone40 ,it may be worth while mentioning that one of the experimental plots this year was on a head-land1 8where the cattle frequently stand for shelter40 ,this plot was dressed with only eight and a half tons of manure1 and the crop was over #dbg bushels per acre1 while a plot alongside1 without manure1 produced only #afc bushels per acre4 8,that shows the importance10 said the ,deacon1 8of planting potatoes on rich land1 rather than to plant on poor land and try to make it rich by applying manure directly to the crop40 ,the following are some of the results in #ahfh3 ,bushels per acre4 #a4 ,no manure #bcb #d cwt4 superphosphate #b4 #b 0 muriate of potash #cdj #b 0 sulphate of ammonia #c4 #bj tons farm-yard manure #cdb #d4 #d cwt4 superphosphate #bgd #d 0 muriate of potash 8,here again10 said the ,doctor1 8superphosphate and potash alone give an increase of only forty-two bushels per acre1 while on plot #b1 where two hundred weight of muriate of potash is substituted by two hundred weight of sulphate of ammonia1 the increase is #ajh bushels per acre4 ,it certainly looks as though a manure for potatoes1 so far as yield is concerned1 should be rich in available nitrogen40 ,the following are some of the results in #ahfi3 ,bushels per acre4 #a4 ,no manure #agf #b4 #d cwt4 superphosphate 0 sulphate of magnesia #cjf #b 0 muriate of potash #b 0 sulphate of ammonia #c4 #d cwt4 superphosphate #ahi #d4 #d cwt4 superphosphate #bja #b 0 sulphate of ammonia #e4 #d cwt4 superphosphate #b 0 muriate of potash #cdj #b 0 sulphate of ammonia4 #f4 #d cwt4 superphosphate #bdi #b 0 muriate of potash 8,this is a very interesting experiment10 said the ,doctor4 8,superphosphate alone gives an increase of thirteen bushels4 ,superphosphate and potash an increase of seventy-three bushels4 ,the potash1 therefore1 gives an increase of sixty bushels4 ,superphosphate and ammonia give twelve bushels more than superphosphate alone1 and the reason it does not produce a better crop is owing to a deficiency of potash4 ,when this is supplied the ammonia gives an increase 7plots #e and #f7 of ninety-one bushels per acre40 ,in #ahgj the above experiments were repeated on the same land1 with the same general results4 ,in #ahga some experiments were made on a sharp1 gravelly soil1 which had been over-cropped1 and was in poor condition4 ,the following are the results3-- ,bushels per acre4 #a4 #i cwt4 superphosphate #ahf #c 0 sulphate of ammonia #b4 #i cwt4 superphosphate #c 0 muriate of potash #bjd #c 0 sulphate of ammonia #c4 ,no manure #gj #d4 #i cwt4 superphosphate #c 0 muriate of potash #bje #c 0 sulphate of ammonia #e4 #bj tons farm-yard manure #aig 8,on this poor soil10 said the ,doctor1 8the ammonia and superphosphate gave an increase of #aaf bushels per acre2 and #c hundred weight of muriate of potash an increase1 on one plot1 of eighteen bushels1 and on the other nineteen bushels per acre40 ,in the same year1 #ahga1 another set of experiments was made on a better and more loamy soil1 which had been in grass for several years4 ,in #ahfi it was sown for hay1 and in #ahgj was broken up and sown to oats1 and the next spring planted with potatoes4 ,the following are some of the results3 ,bushels per acre4 #f cwt4 superphosphate #a4 #b 0 muriate of potash #cba #b 0 sulphate of ammonia #b4 #f cwt4 superphosphate #bif #b 0 sulphate of ammonia #c4 ,no manure #beb #d4 #f cwt4 superphosphate #caa #b 0 muriate of potash #e4 #b cwt4 sulphate of ammonia #bch #f4 #ae tons farm-yard manure #cfe 8,it is curious10 said the ,doctor1 8that the plot with sulphate of ammonia alone should produce less than the no-manure plot40 8,the sulphate of ammonia10 said ,i1 8may have injured the seed1 or it may have produced too luxuriant a growth of vine40 ,another series of experiments was made on another portion of the same field in #ahga4 ,the 8no-manure0 plot produced #ccg bushels per acre4 ,manures of various kinds were used1 but the largest yield1 #cea bushels per acre1 was from superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia2 fourteen tons barn-yard manure produce #cdj bushels per acre2 and ,mr4 ,hunter remarks3 8,it is evident that1 when the produce of the unmanured soil reaches nine tons #ccf bushels per acre1 there is but little scope for manure of any kind40 8,i do not see10 said the ,doctor1 8that you have answered my question1 but ,i suppose that1 with potatoes at fifty cents a bushel1 and wheat at #a4ej per bushel1 artificial manures can be more profitably used on potatoes than on wheat1 and the same is probably true of oats1 barley1 corn1 etc40 ,i have long been of the opinion that artificial manures can be applied to potatoes with more profit than to any other ordinary farm-crop1 for the simple reason that1 in this country1 potatoes1 on the average1 command relatively high prices4 ,for instance1 if average land1 without manure1 will produce fifteen bushels of wheat per acre and #ajj bushels of potatoes1 and a given quantity of manure costing1 say #be1 will double the crop1 we have1 in the one case1 an increase of3-- #ae bushels of wheat at #a4ej #bb4ej #ae cwt4 of straw #c4ej ------ #bf4jj ,cost of manure #be4jj ------ ,profit from using manure #a4jj ,and in the other3-- #ajj bushels of potatoes at #ej cents #ej4jj ,cost of manure #be4jj ------ ,profit from using manure #be4jj ,the only question is1 whether the same quantity of the right kind of manure is as likely to double the potato crop as to double the wheat crop1 when both are raised on average land4 8,it is not an easy matter10 said the ,deacon1 8to double the yield of potatoes40 8,neither is it10 said ,i1 8to double the yield of wheat1 but both can be done1 provided you start low enough4 ,if your land is clean1 and well worked1 and dry1 and only produces ten bushels of wheat per acre1 there is no difficulty in making it produce twenty bushels2 and so of potatoes4 ,if the land be dry and well cultivated1 and1 barring the bugs1 produces without manure #ge bushels per acre1 there ought to be no difficulty in making it produce #aej bushels4 8,but if your land produces1 without manure1 #aej bushels1 it is not always easy to make it produce #cjj bushels4 ,fortunately1 or unfortunately1 our land is1 in most cases1 poor enough to start with1 and we ought to be able to use manure on potatoes to great advantage40 8,but will not the manure10 asked the ,deacon1 8injure the quality of the potatoes80 ,i think not4 ,so far as my experiments and experience go1 the judicious use of good manure1 on dry land1 favors the perfect maturity of the tubers and the formation of starch4 ,i never manured potatoes so highly as ,i did last year 7#ahgg71 and never had potatoes of such high quality4 ,they cook white1 dry1 and mealy4 ,we made furrows two and a half feet apart1 and spread rich1 well-rotted manure in the furrows1 and planted the potatoes on top of the manure1 and covered them with a plow4 ,in our climate1 ,i am inclined to think1 it would be better to apply the manure to the land for potatoes the autumn previous4 ,if sod land1 spread the manure on the surface1 and let it lie exposed all winter4 ,if stubble land1 plow it in the fall1 and then spread the manure in the fall or winter1 and plow it under in the spring4 ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,,what ,,crops ,,should ,,manure ,,be ,,applied ,,to4 8,it will not do any harm on any crop10 said the ,deacon1 8but on my farm it seems to be most convenient to draw it out in the winter or spring1 and plow it under for corn4 ,i do not know any farmer except you who uses it on potatoes40 ,my own rule is to apply manure to those crops which require the most labor per acre4 ,but ,i am well aware that this rule will have many exceptions4 ,for instance1 it will often pay well to use manure on barley1 and yet barley requires far less labor than corn or potatoes4 ,people who let out1 and those who work farms 8on shares0 seldom understand this matter clearly4 ,i knew a farmer1 who last year let out a field of good land1 that had been in corn the previous year1 to a man to sow to barley1 and afterwards to wheat on 8the halves40 ,another part of the farm was taken by a man to plant corn and potatoes on similar terms1 and another man put in several acres of cabbage1 beets1 carrots1 and onions on halves4 ,it never seemed to occur to either of them that the conditions were unequal4 ,the expense of digging and harvesting the potato-crop alone was greater than the whole cost of the barley-crop2 while1 after the barley was off1 the land was plowed once1 harrowed1 and sowed to winter wheat2 and nothing more has to be done to it until the next harvest4 ,with the garden crops1 the difference is even still more striking4 ,the labor expended on one acre of onions or carrots would put in and harvest a ten-acre field of barley4 ,if the tenant gets pay for his labor1 the landlord would get say #e an acre for his barley land1 and #ej for his carrot and onion land4 ,i am pretty sure the tenants did not see the matter in this light1 nor the farmer either4 ,crops which require a large amount of labor can only be grown on very rich land4 ,our successful market-gardeners1 seed-growers1 and nurserymen understand this matter4 ,they must get great crops or they cannot pay their labor bill4 ,and the principle is applicable to ordinary farm crops4 ,some of them require much more labor than others1 and should never be grown unless the land is capable of producing a maximum yield per acre1 or a close approximation to it4 ,as a rule1 the least-paying crops are those which require the least labor per acre4 ,farmers are afraid to expend much money for labor4 ,they are wise in this1 unless all the conditions are favorable4 ,but when they have land in a high state of cultivation--drained1 clean1 mellow1 and rich--it would usually pay them well to grow crops which require the most labor4 ,and it should never be forgotten that1 as compared with nearly all other countries1 our labor is expensive4 ,no matter how cheap our land may be1 we can not afford to waste our labor4 ,it is too costly4 ,if men would work for nothing1 and board themselves1 there are localities where we could perhaps afford to keep sheep that shear two pounds of wool a year2 or cows that make #ge lbs4 of butter4 ,we might make a profit out of a wheat crop of #h bushels per acre1 or a corn-crop of #ae bushels1 or a potato-crop of #ej bushels4 ,but it cannot be done with labor costing from #a4jj to #a4be per day4 ,and ,i do not believe labor will cost much less in our time4 ,the only thing we can do is to employ it to the best advantage4 ,machinery will help us to some extent1 but ,i can see no real escape from our difficulties in this matter1 except to raise larger crops per acre4 ,in ordinary farming1 8larger crops per acre0 means fewer acres planted or sown with grain4 ,it means more summer fallow1 more grass1 clover1 peas1 mustard1 coleseed1 roots1 and other crops that are consumed on the farm4 ,it means more thorough cultivation4 ,it means clean and rich land4 ,it means husbanding the ammonia and nitric acid1 which is brought to the soil1 as well as that which is developed from the soil1 or which the soil attracts from the atmosphere1 and using it to grow a crop every second1 third1 or fourth year1 instead of every year4 ,if a piece of land will grow #be bushels of corn every year1 we should aim to so manage it1 that it will grow #ej every other year1 or #ge every third year1 or1 if the climate is capable of doing it1 of raising #ajj bushels per acre every fourth year4 ,theoretically this can be done1 and in one of ,mr4 ,lawes' experiments he did it practically in the case of a summer-fallow for wheat1 the one crop in two years giving a little more than two crops sown in succession4 ,but on sandy land we should probably lose a portion of the liberated plant-food1 unless we grew a crop of some kind every year4 ,and the matter organized in the renovating crop could not be rendered completely available for the next crop4 ,in the end1 however1 we ought to be able to get it with little or no loss4 ,how best to accomplish this result1 is one of the most interesting and important fields for scientific investigation and practical experiment4 ,we know enough1 however1 to be sure that there is a great advantage in waiting until there is a sufficient accumulation of available plant-food in the soil to produce a large yield1 before sowing a crop that requires much labor4 ,if we do not want to wait1 we must apply manure4 ,if we have no barn-yard or stable-manure1 we must buy artificials4 ,,how ,,and ,,when ,,manure ,,should ,,be ,,applied4 ,this is not a merely theoretical or chemical question4 ,we must take into consideration the cost of application4 ,also1 whether we apply it at a busy or a leisure season4 ,i have seen it recommended1 for instance1 to spread manure on meadow-land immediately after the hay-crop was removed4 ,now1 ,i think this may be theoretically very good advice4 ,but1 on my farm1 it would throw the work right into the midst of wheat and barley harvests2 and ,i should make the theory bend a little to my convenience4 ,the meadows would have to wait until we had got in the crops--or until harvest operations were stopped by rain4 ,i mention this merely to show the complex character of this question4 ,on my own farm1 the most leisure season of the year1 except the winter1 is immediately after wheat harvest4 ,and1 as already stated1 it is at this time that ,john ,johnston draws out his manure and spreads it on grass-land intended to be plowed up the following spring for corn4 ,if the manure was free from weed-seeds1 many of our best farmers1 if they had some well-rotted manure like this of ,john ,johnston's1 would draw it out and spread it on their fields prepared for winter-wheat4 ,in this case1 ,i should draw out the manure in heaps and then spread it carefully4 ,then harrow it1 and if the harrow pulls the manure into heaps1 spread them and harrow again4 ,it is of the greatest importance to spread manure evenly and mix it thoroughly with the soil4 ,if this work is well done1 and the manure is well-rotted1 it will not interfere with the drill4 ,and the manure will be near the surface1 where the young roots of the wheat can get hold of it4 8,you must recollect10 said the ,doctor1 8that the roots can only take up the manure when in solution40 8,it must also be remembered10 said ,i1 8that a light rain of1 say1 only half an inch1 pours down on to the manures spread on an acre of land about #ad1jjj gallons of water1 or about #ef tons4 ,if you have put on #h tons of manure1 half an inch of rain would furnish a gallon of water to each pound of manure4 ,it is not difficult to understand1 therefore1 how manure applied on the surface1 or near the surface1 can be taken up by the young roots40 8,that puts the matter in a new light to me10 said the ,deacon4 8,if the manure was plowed under1 five or six inches deep1 it would require an abundant rain to reach the manure4 ,and it is not one year in five that we get rain enough to thoroughly soak the soil for several weeks after sowing the wheat in ,august or ,september4 ,and when it does come1 the season is so far advanced that the wheat plants make little growth40 ,my own opinion is1 that on clayey land1 manure will act much quicker if applied on1 or near the surface1 than if plowed under4 ,clay mixed with manure arrests or checks decomposition4 ,sand has no such effect4 ,if anything1 it favors a more active decomposition1 and hence1 manure acts much more rapidly on sandy land than on clay land4 ,and ,i think1 as a rule1 where a farmer advocates the application of manure on the surface1 it will be found that he occupies clay land or a heavy loam2 while those who oppose the practice1 and think manure should be plowed under1 occupy sandy land or sandy loam4 8,j4 ,j4 ,thomas10 said ,i1 8once gave me a new idea40 8,is that anything strange10 remarked the ,deacon4 8,are ideas so scarce among you agricultural writers1 that you can recollect who first suggested them80 8,be that as it may10 said ,i1 8this idea has had a decided influence on my farm practice4 ,i will not say that the idea originated with ,mr4 ,thomas1 but at any rate1 it was new to me4 ,i had always been in the habit1 when spading in manure in the garden1 of putting the manure in the trench and covering it up2 and in plowing it in1 ,i thought it was desirable to put it at the bottom of the furrow where the next furrow would cover it up40 8,well10 said the ,deacon1 8and what objection is there to the practice80 8,i am not objecting to the practice4 ,i do not say that it is not a good plan4 ,it may often be the only practicable method of applying manure4 ,but it is well to know that there is sometimes a better plan4 ,the idea that ,mr4 ,thomas gave me1 was1 that it was very desirable to break up the manure fine1 spread it evenly1 and thoroughly mix it with the soil4 8,after the manure is spread on the soil10 said ,mr4 ,thomas1 8and before plowing it in1 great benefit is derived by thoroughly harrowing the top-soil1 thus breaking finely both the manure and the soil1 and mixing them well together4 ,another way for the perfect diffusion of the manure among the particles of earth1 is1 to spread the manure in autumn1 so that1 all the rains of this season may dissolve the soluble portions and carry them down among the particles1 where they are absorbed and retained for the growing crop4 8,in experiments10 continues ,mr4 ,thomas1 8when the manure for corn was thus applied in autumn1 has afforded a yield of about #gj bushels per acre1 when the same amount applied in spring1 gave only #ej bushels4 ,a thin coating of manure applied to winter-wheat at the time of sowing1 and was harrowed in1 has increased the crop from #g to #aj bushels per acre--and in addition to this1 by the stronger growth it has caused1 as well as by the protection it has afforded to the surface1 it has not unfrequently saved the crop from partial or total winter-killing4 8,in cases where it is necessary to apply coarse manures at once1 much may be done in lessening the evils of coarseness by artificially grinding it into the soil4 ,the instrument called the drag-roller--which is like the common roller set stiff so as not to revolve--has been used to great advantage for this purpose1 by passing it over the surface in connection with the harrow4 ,we have known this treatment to effect a thorough intermixture1 and to more than double the crop obtained by common management with common manure40 ,,top-,,dressing ,,with ,,manure4 ,the term 8top-dressing0 usually refers to sowing or spreading manures on the growing crop4 ,for instance1 we top-dress pastures or meadows by spreading manure on the surface4 ,if we sow nitrate of soda1 or guano1 on our winter-wheat in the spring1 that would be top-dressing4 ,we often sow gypsum on clover1 and on barley1 and peas1 while the plants are growing in the spring1 and this is top-dressing4 8,if the gypsum was sown broadcast on the land before sowing the seed10 said the ,deacon1 8would not that be top-dressing also80 ,strictly speaking1 ,i suppose that would not be top-dressing4 ,top-dressing in the sense in which ,i understand the term1 is seldom adopted1 except on meadows and pastures as a regular system4 ,it is an after-thought4 ,we have sown wheat on a poor1 sandy knoll1 and we draw out some manure and spread on it in the winter or early spring2 or we top-dress it with hen-manure1 or guano1 or nitrate of soda and superphosphate4 ,i do not say that this is better than to apply the manure at the time of sowing the wheat1 but if we neglect to do so1 then top-dressing is a commendable practice4 ,dr4 ,vlcker reports the result of some experiments in top-dressing winter-wheat on the farm of the ,royal ,agricultural ,college at ,cirencester1 ,england4 ,the manures were finely sifted and mixed with about ten times their weight of fine soil1 and sown broadcast on the growing wheat1 ,march #bb4 ,a fine rain occurred the following day1 and washed the manure into the soil4 ,the following is the yield per acre3-- ,no manure #bg bushels and #aihd lbs4 of straw4 #bhj lbs4 ,peruvian guano #dj 0 0 #begf 0 0 #aie 0 nitrate of soda #ch 0 0 #bfie 0 0 #ahj 0 nitrate of soda1 and #afh lbs4 of common salt #dj 0 0 #bgcf 0 0 #ddh lbs4 ,proctor's wheat-manure #ci 0 0 #bffh 0 0 #fgb 0 0 0 0 #dd 0 0 #cjcb 0 0 #d tons chalk-marl #bg 0 0 #ahgb 0 0 ,the manures in each case cost #g4hj per acre1 except the large dose of ,proctor's wheat-manure1 which cost #aa4gj per acre4 ,the wheat was worth #a4bf per bushel4 ,leaving the value of the straw out of the question1 the profit from the use of the top dressing was3 ,with guano #h4gj per acre4 0 nitrate of soda #f4jj 0 nitrate of soda and common salt #i4cc 0 #ddh lbs4 wheat-manure #g4id 0 #fgb 0 0 0 #aj4af ,the marl did no good4 ,the nitrate of soda and common salt contained no phosphoric acid1 and yet produced an excellent effect4 ,the guano and the wheat-manure contained phosphoric acid as well as nitrogen1 and the following crop of clover would be likely to get some benefit from it4 ,john ,johnston wrote in #ahfh1 8,i have used manure only as a top-dressing for the last #bf years1 and ,i do think one load1 used in that way1 is worth far more than two loads plowed under on our stiff land40 ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,,manures ,,on ,,permanent ,,meadows ,,and ,,pastures4 ,in this country1 where labor is comparatively high1 and hay often commands a good price1 a good1 permanent meadow frequently affords as much real profit as any other portion of the farm4 ,now that we have good mowing-machines1 tedders1 rakes1 and loading and unloading apparatus1 the labor of hay-making is greatly lessened4 ,the only difficulty is to keep up and increase the annual growth of good grass4 ,numerous experiments on top-dressing meadows are reported from year to year4 ,the results1 of course1 differ considerably1 being influenced by the soil and season4 ,the profit of the practice depends very much on the price of hay4 ,in the ,eastern ,states1 hay generally commands a higher relative price than grain1 and it not unfrequently happens that we can use manure on grass to decided advantage4 ,the celebrated experiments of ,messrs4 ,lawes ,gilbert with 8,manures on ,permanent ,meadow-land0 were commenced in #ahef1 and have been continued on the same plots every year since that time4 8,you need not be afraid1 ,deacon10 said ,i1 as the old gentleman commenced to button up his coat1 8,i am not going into the details of these wonderful experiments2 but ,i am sure you will be interested in the results of the first six or seven years40 ,the following table explains itself3 ,experiments with ,manures on ,permanent ,meadow land at ,rothamsted1 ,england4 ,hay_/,acre #bjth 7#ahge73 ,hay per ,acre the #bjth ,season1 #ahge4 ,total_/,acre3 ,total ,hay 7per7 ,acre4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ,annual ,produce of ,hay per ,acre in ,lbs4 ---------------------------- ,description and ,amount of #ahefahegahehaheiahfjahfaahfb ,manures per ,acre4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- #a ,no manure #bdccbgbdcaafbeehbhbbcjgdcbch #bdjj lbs4 ammonia-salts #hb lbs4 of nitrogen #djbhcggdcihbcfddbidjchjhched #c ,superphosphate of lime #bhbhcagfcdjjcbeb #ddjj lbs4 ammonia-salts and superphosphate of lime #diifdghhdifhdgef #e ,mixed mineral manures #cdbicfffdjhbcdafcibhddhhddbd #f #djj lbs4 ammonia-salts and mixed mineral manures #fcfcfdbbgagbfaihefbdfcaffdjb #g #hjj lbs4 ammonia-salts and mixed mineral manures #gjedfidjgejhgaejegddfgajgajh #h #hjj lbs4 ammonia-salts and mixed mineral manures1 including #bjj lbs4 each silicates1 soda1 and lime #gabj #i #bge lbs4 nitrate of soda #biebcehhcidhdjibdddf #aj #eej lbs4 nitrate of soda #hb lbs4 of nitrogen #cefddaafddajddebdjhf #aa ,mixed mineral manures and #bge lbs4 nitrate of soda #dbcfdiefdhabeeadeagh #ab ,mixed mineral manures and #eej lbs4 nitrate of soda #efcffjgbeehfehibegah #ac #ad tons farmyard-manure #djcjecbhdafddehdebjhejebejfj #ad #ad tons farmyard-manure and #bjj lbs4 ammonia-salts #ejjifjjhecbjecefegjdecbjeeef ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------------------- ,average ,hay per ,hay_/,acre ,acre4 #bjth 7#ahge7 --------------------------------- #ast #g ,yrs #bj ,years4#ast #bnd ,total #ahef-fb4 ,crop,crop _/,acre ------------------------------------- #bhbd #becd #bdcfadia #cibg #a #cgai #bidj #bgjbbjaf #dgah #b 7#d yrs477#ag yrs47 #cafd #bdib #bcebagbb #djgd #c 7#d yrs477#ag yrs47 #dhgg #cfab #dajbafaj #egab #d #ciai #cidh #defdbfhh #gbeb #e #fceg #egab #ehbdbgdd #hejh #f #fhgf #fded #fbbbefhdaj1ijf #g #gjjj #fgbjdeibaa1cab #h #aheh-fb7ah yrs47 #chje #cgid #ccfjadef #dhaf #i 7#ah yrs47 #dabf #cifb #cbgfadgj #dgdf #aj 7#ah yrs47 #dici #ebjh #ejdjahfb #fijb #aa 7#ah yrs47 #eghc #fchd #gjbhaigd #ijjb #ab #dgge #dacj #biifacaf #dcab #ac #edfh #dhaf #cgffaifj #egbf #ad ------------------------------------- ,these are all the figures ,i will trouble you with4 ,the 8mixed mineral manures0 consisted of superphosphate of lime 7composed of #aej lbs4 bone-ash and #aej lbs4 sulphuric acid1 sp4 gr4 #a4g71 #cjj lbs4 sulphate of potash1 #bjj lbs4 sulphate of soda1 and #ajj lbs4 sulphate of magnesia4 ,the ammonia-salts consisted of equal parts sulphate and muriate of ammonia1 containing about #be per cent4 of ammonia4 ,the manures were sown as early as possible in the spring1 and1 if the weather was suitable1 sometimes in ,february4 ,the farmyard-manure was spread on the land1 in the first year1 in the spring1 afterwards in ,november or ,december4 ,the hay was cut from the middle to the last of ,june2 and the aftermath was pastured off by sheep in ,october4 8,it is curious10 said the ,deacon1 8that #djj lbs4 of ammonia-salts should give as great an increase in the yield of hay the first year as #ad tons of farmyard-manure1 but the second year the farmyard-manure comes out decidedly ahead40 8,the farmyard-manure10 said ,i1 8was applied every year1 at the rate of #ad gross tons per acre1 for eight years--#ahef to #ahfc4 ,after #ahfc1 this plot was left without manure of any kind4 ,the average yield of this plot1 during the first #h years was #d1hjj lbs4 of hay per acre40 ,on the plot dressed with #ad tons of farmyard-manure and #bjj lbs4 ammonia-salts1 the average yield of hay for #h years was #e1edd lbs4 per acre4 ,after the eighth year the farmyard-manure was discontinued1 and during the next twelve years the yield of hay averaged #c1fhc lbs41 or #a1adi lbs4 more than the continuously unmanured plot4 ,in #ahei1 superphosphate of lime was used alone on plot #c1 and has been continued ever since4 ,it seems clear that this land1 which had been in pasture or meadow for a hundred years or more1 was not deficient in phosphates4 8,it does not seem10 said the ,deacon1 8to have been deficient in anything4 ,the twentieth crop1 on the continuously unmanured plot was nearly #a ton per acre1 the first cutting1 and nearly -ton the second cutting4 ,and apparently the land was just as rich in #ahge1 as it was in #ahef1 and yet over #be tons of hay had been cut and removed from the land1 without any manure being returned4 ,and yet we are told that hay is a very exhausting crop40 8,superphosphate alone10 said the ,doctor1 8did very little to increase the yield of hay1 but superphosphate and ammonia produced the first year1 #ahei1 over a ton more hay per acre than the superphosphate alone1 and when potash is added to the manure1 the yield is still further increased40 8,answer me one question10 said the ,deacon1 8and let us leave the subject4 ,in the light of these and other experiments1 what do you consider the cheapest and best manure to apply to a permanent meadow or pasture80 8,rich1 well-decomposed farmyard or stable manure10 said ,i1 8and if it is not rich1 apply #bjj lbs4 of nitrate of soda per acre1 in addition4 ,this will make it rich4 ,poor manure1 made from straw1 corn-stalks1 hay1 etc41 is poor in nitrogen1 and comparatively rich in potash4 ,the nitrate of soda will supply the deficiency of nitrogen4 ,on the sea-shore fish-scrap is a cheaper source of nitrogen1 and may be used instead of the nitrate of soda40 ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,,manures ,,for ,,special ,,crops4 ,,manures ,,for ,,hops4 8,for hops10 said the ,doctor1 8there is nothing better than rich1 well-decomposed farmyard-manure--such manure as you are now making from your pigs that are bedded with stable-manure40 8,that is so10 said ,i1 8and the better you feed your horses and pigs1 the better will the manure be for hops4 ,in ,england1 ,mr4 ,paine1 of ,surrey1 made a series of experiments with different manures for hops1 and1 as the result of four years trial1 reported that rape-cake1 singly1 or in combination1 invariably proved the best manure for hops4 ,in this country1 cotton-seed1 or cotton-seed-cake1 would be a good substitute for the rape-cake4 ,whatever manure is used should be used liberally4 ,hops require a large amount of labor per acre1 and it is1 therefore1 specially desirable to obtain a large yield per acre4 ,this can be accomplished only by the most lavish expenditure of manure4 ,and all experience seems to show that it must be manure rich in nitrogen4 ,in the hop districts of ,england1 #be tons of rich farmyard-manure are applied per acre2 and in addition to this1 soot and rags1 both rich in nitrogen1 have long been popular auxiliaries4 ,the value of soot is due to the fact that it contains from #ab to #ae per cent of sulphate of ammonia1 and the fact that it has been so long used with success as a manure for hops1 seems to prove that sulphate of ammonia1 which can now be readily obtained1 could be used to advantage by our hop-growers--say at the rate1 in addition to farm-yard manure1 of #ejj lbs4 per acre1 sown broadcast early in the spring40 ,,manures ,,for ,,tobacco4 ,when tobacco is grown for wrappers1 it is desirable to get a large1 strong leaf4 ,the richest land is selected for the crop1 and large quantities of the richest and most stimulating manures are used4 ,like cabbages1 this crop requires a large amount of plant-food per acre2 and1 like them1 it can only be grown by constant and high manuring4 ,more manure must be used than the plants can take up out of the soil1 and hence it is1 that land which has been used for growing tobacco for some years1 will be in high condition for other crops without further manuring4 ,farm-yard or stable-manure1 must be the mainstay of the tobacco-planter4 ,with this1 he can use artificial fertilizers to advantage--such as fish-scrap1 woollen-rags1 ,peruvian guano1 dried blood1 slaughter-house offal1 sulphate of ammonia1 nitrate of soda1 etc4 ,for choice1 high-flavored smoking-tobacco1 the grower aims to get quality rather than quantity4 ,this seems to depend more on the land and the climate than on the manures used4 ,superphosphate of lime would be likely to prove advantageous in favoring the early growth and maturity of the crop4 ,and in raising tobacco-plants in the seed-bed1 ,i should expect good results from the use of superphosphate1 raked into the soil at the rate of three or four lbs4 per square rod4 ,,manures ,,for ,,indian ,,corn4 ,we know less about the manurial requirements of ,indian corn1 than of almost any other crop we cultivate4 ,we know that wheat1 barley1 oats1 and grasses1 require for their maximum growth a liberal supply of available nitrogen in the soil4 ,and such facts and experiments as we have1 seem to indicate that the same is also true of ,indian corn4 ,it is1 at any rate1 reasonable to suppose that1 as ,indian corn belongs to the same botanical order as wheat1 barley1 oats1 rye1 timothy1 and other grasses1 the general manurial requirements would be the same4 ,such1 ,i presume1 is the case2 and yet there seem to be some facts that would incline us to place ,indian corn with the leguminous plants1 such as clover1 peas1 and beans1 rather than with the cereals1 wheat1 barley1 oats1 etc4 8,why so10 asked the ,deacon1 8,indian corn does not have much in common with beans1 peas1 and clover80 ,as we have shown1 clover can get more nitrogen out of the soil1 than wheat1 barley1 and oats4 ,and the same is true of beans and peas1 though probably not to so great an extent4 ,now1 it would seem that ,indian corn can get more nitrogen out of a soil1 than wheat1 barley1 or oats--and to this extent1 at least1 we may consider ,indian corn as a renovating crop4 ,in other words1 the ,indian corn can get more nitrogen out of the soil1 than wheat1 barley1 and oats--and when we feed out the corn and stalks on the farm1 we have more food and more manure than if we raised and fed out a crop of oats1 barley1 or wheat4 ,if this idea is correct1 then ,indian corn1 when consumed on the farm1 should not be classed with what the ,english farmers term 8white crops10 but rather with the 8green crops40 ,in other words1 ,indian corn is what old writers used to call a 8fallow crop0--or what we call a renovating crop4 ,if this is so1 then the growth and consumption of ,indian corn on the farm1 as is the case with clover1 should leave the farm richer for wheat1 rather than poorer4 ,i do not mean richer absolutely1 but richer so far as the available supply of plant-food is concerned4 8,it may be that you are right10 said the ,doctor1 8when corn is grown for fodder1 but not when grown for the grain4 ,it is the formation of the seed which exhausts the soil40 ,if ,i could be sure that it was true of corn-fodder1 ,i should have little doubt that it is true also of corn as ordinarily grown for grain and stalks4 ,for1 ,i think1 it is clear that the grain is formed at the expense of the stalks1 and not directly from the soil4 ,the corn-fodder will take from the soil as much nitrogen and phosphoric acid as the crop of corn1 and the more it will take1 the more it approximates in character to clover and other renovating crops4 ,if corn-fodder is a renovating crop1 so is the ordinary corn-crop1 also1 provided it is consumed on the farm4 8,but what makes you think10 said the ,deacon1 8that corn can get more nitrogen from the soil1 than wheat80 8,that is the real point1 ,deacon10 said ,i1 8and ,i will ask you this question4 ,suppose you had a field of wheat seeded down to clover1 and the clover failed4 ,after harvest1 you plow up half of the field and sow it to wheat again1 the other half of the field you plow in the spring1 and plant with ,indian corn4 ,now1 suppose you get #ae bushels of wheat to the acre1 how much corn do you think you would be likely to get80 8,well1 that depends10 said the ,deacon1 8but ,i should expect at least #cj bushels of shelled corn per acre40 8,exactly1 and ,i think most farmers would tell you the same2 you get twice as much corn and stalks to the acre as you would of wheat and straw4 ,in other words1 while the wheat cannot find more nitrogen than is necessary to produce #ae bushels of wheat and straw1 the corn can find1 and does find1 take up1 and organize1 at least twice as much nitrogen as the wheat40 ,if these are facts1 then the remarks we have made in regard to the value of clover as a fertilizing crop1 are applicable in some degree to ,indian corn4 ,to grow clover and sell it1 will in the end impoverish the soil2 to grow clover and feed it out1 will enrich the land4 ,and the same will be true of ,indian corn4 ,it will gather up nitrogen that the wheat-crop can not appropriate2 and when the corn and stalks are fed out1 some #ij per cent of the nitrogen will be left in the manure4 8,you do not think1 then10 said the ,doctor1 8that nitrogen is such an important element in manure for corn1 as it is in a manure for wheat40 ,i have not said that4 ,if we want a large crop of corn1 we shall usually need a liberal supply of available nitrogen4 ,but this is because a larger crop of corn means a much larger produce per acre1 than a large crop of wheat4 ,forty bushels of wheat per acre is an unusually large crop with us2 but #hj bushels of shelled corn can be grown in a favorable season1 and on rich1 well-cultivated land4 ,as the ,deacon has said1 #cj bushels of corn per acre can be grown as easily as #ae bushels of wheat2 and it is quite probable1 in many cases1 that a manure containing no nitrogen1 might give us a crop of #ce or #dj bushels per acre4 ,in other words1 up to a certain point1 manures containing mineral1 or carbonaceous matter1 might frequently1 in ordinary agriculture1 increase the yield of ,indian corn2 while on similar land1 such manures would have little effect on wheat4 8,that is so10 said the ,deacon1 8we all know that plaster frequently increases the growth of corn1 while it seldom does much good on wheat40 ,but1 after you have got as large a crop as the land will produce1 aided by plaster1 ashes1 and superphosphate1 say #dj bushels of shelled corn per acre1 then if you want to raise #gj bushels per acre1 you must furnish the soil with manures containing sufficient available nitrogen4 ,some years ago1 ,i made some careful experiments with artificial manures on ,indian corn4 8,oh1 yes10 said the ,deacon1 8they were made on the south lot1 in front of my house1 and ,i recollect that the ,n4,y4 ,state ,ag4 ,society awarded you a prize of #ge for them40 8,and ,i recollect10 said ,i1 8how you and some other neighbors laughed at me for spending so much time in measuring the land and applying the manures1 and measuring the crop4 ,but ,i wish ,i could have afforded to continue them4 ,a single experiment1 however carefully made1 can not be depended on4 ,however1 ,i will give the results for what they are worth1 with some remarks made at the time3 8,the soil on which the experiments were made1 is a light1 sandy loam4 ,it has been under cultivation for upwards of twenty years1 and so far as ,i can ascertain has never been manured4 ,it has been somewhat impoverished by the growth of cereal crops1 and it was thought that for this reason1 and on account of its light texture and active character1 which would cause the manures to act immediately1 it was well adapted for the purpose of showing the effect of different manurial substances on the corn-crop4 8,the land was clover-sod1 two years old1 pastured the previous summer4 ,it was plowed early in the spring1 and harrowed until in excellent condition4 ,the corn was planted ,may #bc1 in hills #c feet apart each way4 8,the manures were applied in the hill immediately before the seed was planted4 8,with superphosphate of lime1 and with plaster 7gypsum1 or sulphate of lime71 the seed was placed directly on top of the manure1 as it is well known that these manures do not injure the germinating principle of even the smallest seeds4 8,the ashes were dropped in the hill1 and then covered with soil1 and the seed planted on the top1 so that it should not come in contact with the ashes4 8,guano and sulphate of ammonia were treated in the same way4 8,on the plots where ashes and guano1 or ashes and sulphate of ammonia were both used1 the ashes were first put in the hill1 and covered with soil1 and the guano or sulphate of ammonia placed on the top1 and also covered with soil before the seed was planted4 ,the ashes and superphosphate of lime was also treated in the same way4 ,it is well known that unleached ashes1 mixed either with guano1 sulphate of ammonia1 or superphosphate1 mutually decompose each other1 setting free the ammonia of the guano and sulphate of ammonia1 and converting the soluble phosphate of the superphosphate of lime into the insoluble form in which it existed before treatment with sulphuric acid4 ,all the plots were planted on the same day1 and the manures weighed and applied under my own immediate supervision4 ,everything was done that was deemed necessary to secure accuracy4 8,the following table gives the results of the experiments3 ,table ,showing the ,results of ,experiments on ,indian ,corn4 ,sd,c ,bushels of ears of sound corn per acre4 ,sf,c ,bushels of ears of soft corn per acre4 ,,tc ,total ,no4 of bushels of ears of corn per acre4 ,i,sd,c ,increase per acre of ears sound corn4 ,i,sf,c ,increase per acre of ears of soft corn4 ,,tic ,total increase per acre of ears of corn4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,descriptions of manures and ,plots quantities applied per acre ,sd,c ,sf,c ,,tc ,i,sd,c,i,sf,c,,tic ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- #a4 ,no manure #fj #g #fg 44 44 44 #b4 #ajj lbs4 plaster 7gypsum or sulphate of lime7 #gj #h #gh #aj #a #aa #c4 #djj lbs4 unleached wood-ashes and #ajj lbs4 plaster 7mixed7 #fh #aj #gh #h #c #aa #d4 #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia #ij #ae #aje #cj #h #ch #e4 #cjj lbs4 superphosphate of lime #gj #h #gh #aj #a #aa #f4 #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia and #cjj lbs4 superphosphate of lime 7mixed7 #he #e #ij #be 44 #bc #g4 #djj lbs4 unleached wood-ashes1 7uncertain7 #fj #ab #gb 44 #e #e #h4 #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia and #djj lbs4 unleached wood-ashes 7sown separately7 #hg #aj #ig #bg #c #cj #i4 #cjj lbs4 superphosphate of lime1 #aej lbs4 sulph4 ammonia1 and #djj lbs4 unleached wood-ashes #ajj #h #ajh #dj #a #da #aj4 #djj lbs4 unleached wood-ashes #fj #h #fh 44 #a #a #aa4 #ajj lbs4 plaster4 #djj lbs4 unleached wood-ashes1 #cjj lbs4 superphosphate of lime1 and #bjj lbs4 ,peruvian guano #ie #aj #aje #ce #c #ch #ab4 #ge lbs4 sulphate of ammonia #gh #aj #hh #ah #c #ba #ac4 #bjj lbs4 ,peruvian guano #hh #ac #aja #bh #f #cd #ad4 #djj lbs4 unleached wood-ashes1 #ajj lbs4 plaster1 and #ejj lbs4 ,peruvian guano #aaa #ad #abe #ea #g #eh ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- 8,the superphosphate of lime was made on purpose for these experiments1 and was a pure mineral manure of superior quality1 made from calcined bones2 it cost about #b cents per pound4 ,the sulphate of ammonia was a good1 commercial article1 obtained from ,london1 at a cost of about seven cents per pound4 ,the ashes were made from beech and hard maple 7,acer saccharinum7 wood1 and were sifted through a fine sieve before being weighed4 ,the guano was the best ,peruvian1 costing about three cents per pound4 ,it was crushed and sifted before using4 ,in sowing the ashes on plot #g1 an error occurred in their application1 and for the purpose of checking the result1 it was deemed advisable to repeat the experiment on plot #aj4 8,on plot #e1 with #cjj lbs4 of superphosphate of lime per acre1 the plants came up first1 and exhibited a healthy1 dark-green appearance1 which they retained for some time4 ,this result was not anticipated1 though it is well known that superphosphate of lime has the effect of stimulating the germination of turnip-seed1 and the early growth of the plants to an astonishing degree2 yet1 as it has no such effect on wheat1 it appeared probable that it would not produce this effect on ,indian corn1 which1 in chemical composition1 is very similar to wheat4 ,the result shows how uncertain are all speculations in regard to the manurial requirements of plants4 ,this immediate effect of superphosphate of lime on corn was so marked1 that the men 7who were1 at the time of planting1 somewhat inclined to be skeptical1 in regard to the value of such small doses of manure71 declared that #8superphosphate beats all creation for corn4' ,the difference in favor of superphosphate1 at the time of hoeing1 was very perceptible1 even at some distance4 8,although every precaution was taken that was deemed necessary1 to prevent the manures from mixing in the hill1 or from injuring the seed1 yet1 it was found1 that those plots dressed with ashes and guano1 or with ashes and sulphate of ammonia1 were injured to some extent4 ,shortly after the corn was planted1 heavy rain set in1 and washed the sulphate of ammonia and guano1 down into the ashes1 and mutual decomposition took place1 with more or less loss of ammonia4 ,in addition to this loss of ammonia1 these manures came up to the surface of the ground in the form of an excrescence1 so hard that the plants could with difficulty penetrate through it4 8,it will be seen1 by examining the table1 that although the superphosphate of lime had a good effect during the early stages of the growth of the plants1 yet the increase of ears of corn in the end did not come up to these early indications4 ,on plot #e1 with #cjj lbs4 of superphosphate of lime per acre1 the yield is precisely the same as on plot #b1 with #ajj lbs4 of plaster 7sulphate of lime71 per acre4 ,now1 superphosphate of lime is composed necessarily of soluble phosphate of lime and plaster1 or sulphate of lime1 formed from a combination of the sulphuric acid1 employed in the manufacture of superphosphate1 with the lime of the bones4 ,in the #cjj lbs4 of superphosphate of lime1 sown on plot #e1 there would be about #ajj lbs4 of plaster2 and as the effect of this dressing is no greater than was obtained from the #ajj lbs4 of plaster1 sown on plot #b1 it follows1 that the good effect of the superphosphate of lime was due to the plaster that it contained4 8,again1 on plot #d1 with #aej lbs4 of sulphate of ammonia per acre1 we have #ij bushels of ears of sound corn1 and #ae bushels of ears of soft corn1 7#8nubbins1'7 per acre2 or a total increase over the plot without manure1 of #ch bushels4 ,now1 the sulphate of ammonia contains no phosphate of lime1 and the fact that such a manure gives a considerable increase of crop1 confirms the conclusion we have arrived at1 from a comparison of the results on plots #b and #e2 that the increase from the superphosphate of lime1 is not due to the phosphate of lime which it contains1 unless we are to conclude that the sulphate of ammonia rendered the phosphate of lime in the soil more readily soluble1 and thus furnished an increased quantity in an available form for assimilation by the plants--a conclusion1 which the results with superphosphate alone1 on plot #e1 and with superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia1 combined1 on plot #f1 do not sustain4 8,on plot #ab1 half the quantity of sulphate of ammonia1 was used as on plot #d1 and the increase is a little more than half what it is where double the quantity was used4 ,again1 on plot #ac1 #bjj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano per acre1 gives nearly as great an increase of sound corn1 as the #aej lbs4 of sulphate of ammonia4 ,now1 #bjj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano contains nearly as much ammonia as #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia1 and the increase in both cases is evidently due to the ammonia of these manures4 ,the #bjj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano1 contained about #ej lbs4 of phosphate of lime2 but as the sulphate of ammonia1 which contains no phosphate of lime1 gives as great an increase as the guano1 it follows1 that the phosphate of lime in the guano1 had little1 if any effect2 a result precisely similar to that obtained with superphosphate of lime4 8,we may conclude1 therefore1 that on this soil1 which has never been manured1 and which has been cultivated for many years with the ,ceralia--or1 in other words1 with crops which remove a large quantity of phosphate of lime from the soil--the phosphate of lime1 relatively to the ammonia1 is not deficient4 ,if such was not the case1 an application of soluble phosphate of lime would have given an increase of crop1 which we have shown was not the case in any one of these experiments4 8,plot #aj1 with #djj lbs4 of unleached wood-ashes per acre1 produces the same quantity of sound corn1 with an extra bushel of #8nubbins' per acre1 as plot #a1 without any manure at all2 ashes1 therefore1 applied alone1 may be said to have had no effect whatever4 ,on plot #c1 #djj lbs4 of ashes1 and #ajj lbs4 of plaster1 give the same total number of bushels per acre1 as plot #b1 with #ajj lbs4 of plaster alone4 ,plot #h1 with #djj lbs4 ashes1 and #aej lbs4 of sulphate of ammonia1 yields three bushels of sound corn1 and five bushels of #8nubbins' per acre1 less than plot #d1 with #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia alone4 ,this result may be ascribed to the fact previously alluded to--the ashes dissipated some of the ammonia4 8,plot #aa1 with #ajj lbs4 of plaster1 #djj lbs4 ashes1 #cjj lbs4 of superphosphate of lime1 and #bjj lbs4 ,peruvian guano 7which contains about as much ammonia as #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia71 produced precisely the same number of total bushels per acre1 as plot #d1 with #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia alone1 and but #d bushels more per acre1 than plot #ac1 with #bjj lbs4 ,peruvian guano alone4 ,it is evident1 from these results1 that neither ashes nor phosphates had much effect on ,indian corn1 on this impoverished soil4 ,plot #ad received the largest dressing of ammonia 7#ejj lbs4 ,peruvian guano71 and produced much the largest crop2 though the increase is not so great in proportion to the guano1 as where smaller quantities were used4 8,the manure which produced the most profitable result1 was the #ajj lbs4 of plaster1 on plot #b4 ,the #bjj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano1 on plot #ac1 and which cost about #f1 gave an increase of #ad bushels of shelled corn1 and #f bushels of #8nubbins4' ,this will pay at the present price of corn in ,rochester1 although the profit is not very great4 ,the superphosphate of lime1 although a very superior article1 and estimated at cost price1 in no case paid for itself4 ,the same is true of the ashes4 8,but the object of the experiment was not so much to ascertain what manures will pay1 but to ascertain1 if possible1 what constituents of manures are required1 in greatest quantity1 for the maximum growth of corn4 99 99 ,hitherto1 no experiments have been made in this country1 on ,indian corn1 that afforded any certain information on this point4 ,indeed1 we believe no satisfactory experiments have been made on ,indian corn1 in any country1 that throw any definite light on this interesting and important question4 ,a few years ago1 ,mr4 ,lawes made similar experiments to those given above1 on his farm1 at ,rothamsted1 ,england2 but owing to the coolness of the ,english climate1 the crop did not arrive at maturity4 8,numerous experiments have been made in this country1 with guano and superphosphate of lime2 but the superphosphates used were commercial articles1 containing more or less ammonia1 and if they are of any benefit to those crops to which they are applied1 it is a matter of uncertainty whether the beneficial effect of the application is due to the soluble phosphate of lime1 or to the ammonia4 ,on the other hand1 guano contains both ammonia and phosphate2 and we are equally at a loss to determine1 whether the effect is attributable to the ammonia or phosphate1 or both4 ,in order1 therefore1 to determine satisfactorily1 which of the several ingredients of plants is required in greatest proportion1 for the maximum growth of any particular crop1 we must apply these ingredients separately1 or in such definite compounds1 as will enable us to determine to what particular element or compounds the beneficial effect is to be ascribed4 ,it was for this reason1 that sulphate of ammonia1 and a purely mineral superphosphate of lime1 were used in the above experiments4 ,no one would think of using sulphate of ammonia at its price1 sulphate of ammonia is now cheaper1 while ,peruvian guano is more costly and less rich in ammonia1 as an ordinary manure1 for the reason1 that the same quantity of ammonia can be obtained in other substances1 such as barnyard-manure1 ,peruvian guano1 etc41 at a much cheaper rate4 ,but these manures contain all the elements of plants1 and we can not know whether the effect produced by them is due to the ammonia1 phosphates1 or any other ingredients4 ,for the purpose of experiment1 therefore1 we must use a manure that furnishes ammonia without any admixture of phosphates1 potash1 soda1 lime1 magnesia1 etc41 even though it cost much more than we could obtain the same amount of ammonia in other manures4 ,i make these remarks in order to correct a very common opinion1 that if experiments do not pay1 they are useless4 ,the ultimate object1 indeed1 is to ascertain the most profitable method of manuring2 but the means of obtaining this information1 can not in all cases be profitable4 8,similar experiments to those made on ,indian corn1 were made on soil of a similar character1 on about an acre of ,chinese sugar-cane4 ,i do not propose to give the results in detail1 at this time1 and allude to them merely to mention one very important fact1 the superphosphate of lime had a very marked effect4 ,this manure was applied in the hill on one plot 7the twentieth of an acre17 at the rate of #djj lbs4 per acre1 and the plants on this plot came up first1 and outgrew all the others from the start1 and ultimately attained the height of about ten feet2 while on the plot receiving no manure1 the plants were not five feet high4 ,this is a result entirely different from what ,i should have expected4 ,it has been supposed1 from the fact that superphosphate of lime had no effect on wheat1 that it would probably have little effect on corn1 or on the sugar-cane1 or other ceralia2 and that1 as ammonia is so beneficial for wheat1 it would probably be beneficial for corn and sugar-cane4 ,the above experiments indicate that such is the case1 in regard to ,indian corn1 so far as the production of grain is concerned1 though1 as we have stated1 it is not true in reference to the early growth of the plants4 ,the superphosphate of lime on ,indian corn1 stimulated the growth of the plants1 in a very decided manner at first1 so much so1 that we were led to suppose1 for some time1 that it would give the largest crop2 but at harvest1 it was found that it produced no more corn than plaster4 ,these results seem to indicate1 that superphosphate of lime stimulates the growth of stalks and leaves1 and has little effect in increasing the production of seed4 ,in raising ,indian corn1 for fodder or for soiling purposes1 superphosphate of lime may be beneficial1 as well as in growing the sorghum for sugar-making purposes1 or for fodder--though1 perhaps1 not for seed40 8,in addition to the experiments given above1 ,i also made the same season1 on an adjoining field1 another set of experiments on ,indian corn1 the results of which are given below4 8,the land on which these experiments were made1 is of a somewhat firmer texture than that on which the other set of experiments was made4 ,it is situated about a mile from the barn-yard1 and on this account1 has seldom1 if ever been manured4 ,it has been cultivated for many years with ordinary farm crops4 ,it was plowed early in the spring1 and it was harrowed until quite mellow4 ,the corn was planted ,may #cj1 #aheg4 ,each experiment occupied one-tenth of an acre1 consisting of #d rows #c feet apart1 and the same distance between the hills in the rows1 with one row without manure between each experimental plot4 8,the manure was applied in the hill1 in the same manner as in the first set of experiments4 8,the barnyard-manure was well-rotted1 and consisted principally of cow-dung with a little horse-dung4 ,twenty two-horse wagon loads of this was applied per acre1 and each load would probably weigh about one ton4 ,it was put in the hill and covered with soil1 and the seed then planted on the top4 8,the following table gives the results of the experiments3 ,table ,showing the ,results of ,experiments on ,indian ,corn1 ,made ,near ,rochester1 ,n4,y41 in the ,year #aheg4 ,sd,c ,bushels of ears of sound corn per acre4 ,sf,c ,bushels of ears of soft corn per acre4 ,,tc ,total ,no4 of bushels of ears of corn per acre4 ,i,sd,c ,increase per acre of ears sound corn4 ,i,sf,c ,increase per acre of ears of soft corn4 ,,tic ,total increase per acre of ears of corn4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,descriptions of manures and ,plots quantities applied per acre ,sd,c ,sf,c ,,tc ,i,sd,c,i,sf,c,,tic ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- #a4 ,no manure #ge #ab #hg 44 44 44 #b4 #bj loads barn-yard manure #hb #aj #ib #e 44 #e #c4 #aej lbs4 sulphate of ammonia #he #cj #aae #aj #ah #bh #d4 #cjj lbs4 superphosphate of lime #hh #aj #ih #aa 44 #aa #e4 #djj lbs4 ,peruvian guano #ij #cj #abj #ae #ah #cc #f4 #djj lbs4 of 8,cancerine10 or fish #he #bj #aje #aj #h #ah manure ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- 8,as before stated1 the land was of a stronger nature than that on which the first set of experiments was made1 and it was evidently in better condition1 as the plot having no manure produced #bj bushels of ears of corn per acre more than the plot without manure in the other field4 8,on plot #d1 #cjj lbs4 of superphosphate of lime gives a total increase of #aa bushels of ears of corn per acre over the unmanured plot1 agreeing exactly with the increase obtained from the same quantity of the same manure on plot #e1 in the first set of experiments4 8,plot #c1 dressed with #aej lbs4 of sulphate of ammonia per acre1 gives a total increase of #bh bushels of ears of corn per acre1 over the unmanured plot2 and an increase of #bb bushels of ears per acre over plot #b1 which received #bj loads of good1 well-rotted barnyard-dung per acre4 8,plot #e1 with #djj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano per acre gives the best crop of this series viz3 an increase of #cc bushels of corn per acre over the unmanured plot1 and #bg over the plot manured with #bj loads of barnyard-dung4 ,the #djj lbs4 of #8,cancerine'--an artificial manure made in ,new ,jersey from fish--gives a total increase of #ah bushels of ears per acre over the unmanured plot1 and #ab bushels more than that manured with barn-yard dung1 though #e bushels of ears of sound corn and #aj bushels of #8nubbins' per acre less than the same quantity of ,peruvian guano40 ,,manures ,,for ,,turnips4 ,to raise a large crop of turnips1 especially of ruta-bagas1 there is nothing better than a liberal application of rich1 well-rotted farm-yard-manure1 and #bej to #cjj lbs4 of good superphosphate of lime per acre1 drilled in with the seed4 ,i have seen capital crops of common turnips grown with no other manure except #cjj lbs4 of superphosphate per acre1 drilled with the seed4 ,superphosphate has a wonderful effect on the development of the roots of the turnip4 ,and this is the secret of its great value for this crop4 ,it increases the growth of the young plant1 developing the formation of the roots1 and when the turnip once gets full possession of the soil1 it appropriates all the plant-food it can find4 ,a turnip-crop grown with superphosphate1 can get from the soil much more nitrogen than a crop of wheat4 ,the turnip-crop1 when supplied with superphosphate1 is a good 8scavenger40 ,it will gather up and organize into good food the refuse plant-food left in the soil4 ,it is to the surface soil1 what clover is to the subsoil4 ,to the market gardener1 or to a farmer who manures heavily common turnips drilled in with superphosphate will prove a valuable crop4 ,on such land no other manure will be needed4 ,i cannot too earnestly recommend the use of superphosphate as a manure for turnips4 ,for ,swede turnips or ruta-bagas1 it will usually be necessary1 in order to secure a maximum crop1 to use a manure which1 in addition to superphosphate1 contains available nitrogen4 ,a good dressing of rich1 well-rotted manure1 spread on the land1 and plowed under1 and then #cjj lbs4 of superphosphate drilled in with the seed1 would be likely to give a good crop4 ,in the absence of manure1 there is probably nothing better for the ruta-bagas than #cjj lbs4 of so-called 8rectified0 ,peruvian guano1 that is1 guano treated with sulphuric acid1 to render the phosphates soluble4 ,such a guano is guaranteed to contain #aj per cent of ammonia1 and #aj per cent of soluble phosphoric acid1 and would be a good dressing for ,swede turnips4 ,the best way to use guano for turnips is to sow it broadcast on the land1 and harrow it in1 and then either drill in the turnip-seed on the flat1 or on ridges4 ,the latter is decidedly the better plan1 provided you have the necessary implements to do the work expeditiously4 ,a double mould-board plow will ridge up four acres a day1 and the guano being previously sown on the surface1 will be turned up with the mellow surface-soil into the ridge1 where the seed is to be sown4 ,the young plants get hold of it and grow so rapidly as to be soon out of danger from the turnip-beetle4 ,,manures ,,for ,,mangel-,,wurzel ,,or ,,sugar-,,beets4 ,when sugar-beets are grown for feeding to stock1 there is probably little or no difference in the manurial requirements of sugar-beets and mangel-wurzel4 ,our object is to get as large a growth as possible consistent with quality4 8,large roots10 said the ,deacon1 8have been proved to contain less nutriment than small roots40 ,true1 but it does not follow from this that rich land1 or heavy manuring is the chief cause of this difference4 ,it is much more likely to be due to the variety selected4 ,the seed-growers have been breeding solely for size and shape4 ,they have succeeded to such an extent that #hd gross tons of roots have been grown on an acre4 ,this is equal to over #id of our tons per acre4 8,that is an enormous crop10 said the ,deacon2 8and it would require some labor to put #aj acres of them in a cellar40 8,if they were as nutritious as ordinary mangels10 said ,i1 8that would be no argument against them4 ,but such is not the case4 ,in a letter just received from ,mr4 ,lawes1 7,may1 #ahgh17 he characterizes them as #8bladders of water and salts4'0 ,had the seed-growers bred for quality1 the roots would have been of less size1 but they would contain more nutriment4 ,what we want is a variety that has been bred with reference to quality2 and when this is secured1 we need not fear to make the land rich and otherwise aim to secure great growth and large-sized roots4 ,it certainly is not good economy to select a variety which has been bred for years to produce large-sized roots1 and then sow this seed on poor land for the purpose of obtaining small-sized roots4 ,better take a variety bred for quality1 and then make the land rich enough to produce a good crop4 ,we are not likely to err in making the land too rich for mangel-wurzel or for sugar-beets grown for stock4 ,when sugar-beets are grown for sugar1 we must aim to use manures favorable for the production of sugar1 or rather to avoid using those which are unfavorable4 ,but where sugar-beets are grown for food1 our aim is to get a large amount of nutriment to the acre4 ,and it is by no means clear to my mind that there is much to be gained by selecting the sugar-beet instead of a good variety of mangel-wurzel4 ,it is not a difficult matter1 by selecting the largest roots for seed1 and by liberal manuring1 and continuously selecting the largest roots1 to convert the sugar-beet into a mangel-wurzel4 ,when sugar-beets are grown for food1 we may safely manure them as we would mangel-wurzel1 and treat the two crops precisely alike4 ,i usually raise from ten to fifteen acres of mangel-wurzel every year4 ,i grow them in rotation with other crops1 and not as the ,hon4 ,harris ,lewis and some others do1 continuously on the same land4 ,we manure liberally1 but not extravagantly1 and get a fair yield1 and the land is left in admirable condition for future crops4 ,i mean by this1 not that the land is specially rich1 but that it is very clean and mellow4 8,in #ahgg10 said the ,deacon1 8you had potatoes on the land where you grew mangels the previous year1 and had the best crop in the neighborhood40 ,this is true1 but still ,i do not think it a good rotation4 ,a barley crop seeded with clover would be better1 especially if the mangels were heavily manured4 ,the clover would get the manure which had been washed into the subsoil1 or left in such a condition that potatoes or grain could not take it up4 ,there is one thing in relation to my mangels of #ahgf which has escaped the ,deacon4 ,the whole piece was manured and well prepared1 and dibbled in with mangels1 the rows being #b feet apart1 and the seed dropped #ae inches apart in the rows4 ,owing to poor seed1 the mangels failed on about three acres1 and we plowed up the land and drilled in corn for fodder1 in rows #b feet apart1 and at the rate of over three bushels of seed per acre4 ,we had a great crop of corn-fodder4 ,the next year1 as ,i said before1 the whole piece was planted with potatoes1 and if it was true that mangels are an 8enriching crop10 while corn is an 8exhausting0 crop1 we ought to have had much better potatoes after the mangels than after corn4 ,this was certainly not the case2 if there was any difference1 it was in favor of the corn4 ,but ,i do not place any confidence in an experiment of this kind1 where the crops were not weighed and the results carefully ascertained4 ,mr4 ,lawes has made some most thorough experiments with different manures on sugar-beets1 and in #ahgf he commenced a series of experiments with mangel-wurzel4 ,the land is a rather stiff clay loam1 similar to that on which the wheat and barley experiments were made4 ,it is better suited to the growth of beets than of turnips4 8,why so10 asked the ,deacon1 8,i thought that black1 bottom land was best for mangels40 8,not so1 ,deacon10 said ,i1 8we can1 it is true1 grow large crops of mangels on well-drained and well-manured swampy or bottom land1 but the best soil for mangels1 especially in regard to quality1 is a good1 stiff1 well-worked1 and well-manured loam40 8,and yet10 said the ,deacon1 8you had a better crop last year on the lower and blacker portions of the field than on the heavy1 clayey land40 ,in one sense1 this is true4 ,we had dry weather in the spring1 and the mangel seed on the dry1 clayey land did not come up as well as on the cooler and moister bottom-land4 ,we had more plants to the acre1 but the roots on the clayey land1 when they once got fair hold of the soil and the manure1 grew larger and better than on the lighter and moister land4 ,the great point is to get this heavy land into a fine1 mellow condition4 ,but to ,mr4 ,lawes' experiments4 ,they are remarkably interesting and instructive4 ,but it is not necessary to go into all the details4 ,suffice it to say that the experiments seem to prove1 very conclusively1 that beets require a liberal supply of available nitrogen4 ,thus1 without manure1 the yield of beets was about #g tons of bulbs per acre4 ,with #eej lbs4 nitrate of soda per acre1 the yield was a little over #bb tons per acre4 ,with #ad tons of farmyard-manure1 #ah tons per acre4 ,with #ad tons of farmyard manure and #eej lbs4 nitrate of soda1 over #bg tons per acre4 ,superphosphate of lime1 sulphates of potash1 soda1 and magnesia1 and common salt1 alone1 or with other manures1 had comparatively little effect4 ,practically1 when we want to grow a good crop of beets or mangels1 these experiments prove that what we need is the richest kind of barnyard-manure4 ,if our manure is not rich1 then we should use1 in addition to the manure1 a dressing of nitrate of soda--say #djj or #ejj lbs4 per acre4 ,if the land is in pretty good condition1 and we have no barnyard-manure1 we may look for a fair crop from a dressing of nitrate of soda alone4 8,i see10 said the ,deacon1 8that #eej lbs4 of nitrate of soda alone1 gave an increase of #ad tons per acre4 ,and the following year1 on the same land1 it gave an increase of #ac tons2 and the next year1 on the same land1 over #i tons40 8,yes10 said ,i1 8the first three years of the experiments 7#ahga-b-c71 #eej lbs4 of nitrate of soda alone1 applied every year1 gave an average yield of #ai tons of bulbs per acre4 ,during the same three years1 the plot dressed with #ad tons of barnyard-manure1 gave an average yield of #af tons4 ,but now mark4 ,the next year 7#ahgd7 all the plots were left without any manure1 and the plot which had been previously dressed with nitrate of soda1 alone1 fell off to #c tons per acre1 while the plot which had been previously manured with barnyard-manure1 produced #aj tons per acre40 8,good10 said the ,deacon1 8there is nothing like manure40 ,,manures ,,for ,,cabbage1 ,,parsnips1 ,,carrots1 ,,lettuce1 ,,onions1 ,,etc4 ,i class these plants together1 because1 though differing widely in many respects1 they have one feature in common4 ,they are all artificial productions4 ,a distinguished amateur horticulturist once said to me1 8,i do not see why it is ,i have so much trouble with lettuce4 ,my land is rich1 and the lettuce grow well1 but do not head4 ,they have a tendency to run up to seed1 and soon get tough and bitter40 ,i advised him to raise his own seed from the best plants--and especially to reject all plants that showed any tendency to go prematurely to seed4 ,furthermore1 ,i told him ,i thought if he would sow a little superphosphate of lime with the seed1 it would greatly stimulate the early growth of the lettuce4 ,as ,i have said before1 superphosphate1 when drilled in with the seed1 has a wonderful effect in developing the root-growth of the young plants of turnips1 and ,i thought it would have the same effect on lettuce1 cabbage1 cauliflowers1 etc4 8,but10 said he1 8it is not roots that ,i want1 but heads40 8,exactly10 said ,i1 8you do not want the plants to follow out their natural disposition and run up to seed4 ,you want to induce them to throw out a great abundance of tender leaves4 ,in other words1 you want them to #8head4' ,just as in the turnip1 you do not want them to run up to seed1 but to produce an unnatural development of #8bulb4'0 ,thirty years ago1 ,dr4 ,gilbert threw out the suggestion1 that while it was evident that turnips required a larger proportion of soluble phosphates in the soil than wheat2 while wheat required a larger proportion of available nitrogen in the soil1 than turnips1 it was quite probable1 if we were growing turnips for seed1 that then1 turnips would require the same kind of manures as wheat4 ,we want exceedingly rich land for cabbage1 especially for an early crop4 ,this is not merely because a large crop of cabbage takes a large amount of plant-food out of the soil1 but because the cultivated cabbage is an artificial plant1 that requires its food in a concentrated shape4 ,in popular language1 the plants have to be 8forced40 ,according to the analyses of ,dr4 ,anderson1 the outside leaves of cabbage1 contain1 in round numbers1 #ia per cent of water2 and the heart leaves1 #id per cent4 ,in other words1 the green leaves contain #c per cent more dry matter than the heart leaves4 ,dr4 ,vlcker1 who analyzed more recently some 8cattle-cabbage10 found #hi per cent of water in the green leaves1 and #hc per cent in the heart and inner leaves--thus confirming previous analyses1 and showing also that the composition of cabbages varies considerably4 ,dr4 ,vlcker found much less water in the cabbage than ,dr4 ,anderson4 ,the specimen analyzed by ,dr4 ,v41 was grown on the farm of the ,royal ,ag4 ,college of ,england1 and ,i infer from some incidental remarks1 that the crop was grown on rather poor land4 ,and it is probably true that a large crop of cabbage grown on rich land1 contains a higher percentage of water than cabbage grown on poorer land4 ,on the poor land1 the cabbage would not be likely to head so well as on the rich land1 and the green leaves of cabbage contain more than half as much again real dry substance as the heart leaves4 ,the dry matter of the heart leaves1 however1 contains more actual nutriment than the dry matter of the green leaves4 ,it would seem very desirable1 therefore1 whether we are raising cabbage for market or for home consumption1 to make the land rich enough to grow good heads4 ,dr4 ,vlcker says1 8,in ordinary seasons1 the average produce of ,swedes on our poorer fields is about #ae tons per acre4 ,on weighing the produce of an acre of cabbage1 grown under similar circumstances1 ,i found that it amounted to #ag tons per acre4 ,on good1 well-manured fields1 however1 we have had a much larger produce40 ,in a report on the 8,cultivation of ,cabbage1 and its comparative ,value for ,feeding purposes10 by ,j4 ,m4 ,m',laren1 of ,scotland1 the yield of ,swede turnips1 was #bi tons per acre1 and the yield of cabbage1 #dg tons per acre4 8,it is very evident10 said the ,deacon1 8that if you grow cabbage you should make the land rich enough to produce a good crop--and ,i take it that is all you want to show40 8,i want to show10 ,i replied1 8that our market gardeners have reason for applying such apparently excessive dressings of rich manure to the cabbage-crop4 ,they find it safer to put far more manure into the land than the crop can possibly use1 rather than run any risk of getting an inferior crop4 ,an important practical question is1 whether they can not grow some crop or crops after the cabbage1 that can profitably take up the manure left in the soil40 ,prof4 ,e4 ,wolff1 in the last edition of 8,praktische ,dngerlehre10 gives the composition of cabbage4 ,for the details of which1 see ,appendix1 page #cde4 ,from this it appears that #ej tons of cabbage contain #bdj lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #a1fjj lbs4 of ash4 ,included in the ash is #fcj lbs4 of potash2 #ij lbs4 of soda2 #caj lbs4 of lime2 #fj lbs4 of magnesia2 #adj lbs4 of phosphoric acid2 #bdj lbs4 of sulphuric acid1 and #bj lbs4 of silica4 ,henderson1 in 8,gardening for ,profit10 advises the application of #ge tons of stable or barn-yard manure per acre1 for early cabbage4 ,for late cabbage1 after peas or early potatoes1 he says about #aj tons per acre are used4 ,brill1 in 8,farm ,gardening and ,seed ,growing10 also makes the same distinction in regard to the quantity of manure used for early and late cabbage4 ,he speaks of #gj to #hj tons or more1 per acre1 of well-rotted stable-manure as not an unusual or excessive dressing every year4 ,now1 according to ,wolff's table1 #ge tons of fresh stable-manure1 with straw1 contains #hbj lbs4 of nitrogen2 #gie lbs4 of potash2 #aej lbs4 soda2 #cae lbs4 of lime2 #baj lbs4 of magnesia2 #dbj lbs4 of phosphoric acid2 #aje lbs4 sulphuric acid2 #b1fee lbs4 of silica1 and #fj lbs4 of chlorine4 8,put the figures side by side10 said the ,deacon1 8so that we can compare them40 ,here they are3 ---------------------------------------- --- #ge tons ,fresh ,horse #ej tons ,manure4 ,cabbage4 ---------------------------------------- --- ,nitrogen #hbj lbs4 #bdj lbs4 ,potash #gie 0 #fcj 0 ,phosphoric acid #dbj 0 #adj 0 ,soda #aej 0 #ij 0 ,lime #cae 0 #caj 0 ,magnesia #baj 0 #fj 0 ---------------------------------------- --- 8,that is rather an interesting table10 said the ,doctor4 8,in the case of lime1 the crop takes about all that this heavy dressing of manure supplies--but ,i suppose the soil is usually capable of furnishing a considerable quantity40 8,that may be so10 said the ,deacon1 8but all the authorities on market gardening speak of the importance of either growing cabbage on land containing lime1 or else of applying lime as a manure4 ,quinn1 who writes like a sensible man1 says in his book1 #8,money in the ,garden1' #8,a top-dressing of lime every third year1 thirty or forty bushels per acre1 spread broadcast1 and harrowed in1 just before planting1 pays handsomely4'0 ,henderson thinks cabbage can only be grown successfully on land containing abundance of lime4 ,he has used heavy dressings of lime on land which did not contain shells1 and the result was satisfactory for a time1 but he found it too expensive4 ,experience seems to show that to grow large crops of perfect cabbage1 the soil must be liberally furnished with manures rich in nitrogen and phosphoric acid4 ,in saying this1 ,i do not overlook the fact that cabbage require a large quantity of potash4 ,i think1 however1 that when large quantities of stable or barn-yard manure is used1 it will rarely be found that the soil lacks potash4 ,what we need to grow a large crop of cabbage1 is manure from well-fed animals4 ,such manure can rarely be purchased4 ,now1 the difference between rich manure and ordinary stable or barnyard-manure1 consists principally in this3 ,the rich manure contains more nitrogen and phosphoric acid than the ordinary stable-manure--and it is in a more available condition4 ,to convert common manure into rich manure1 therefore1 we must add nitrogen and phosphoric acid4 ,in other words1 we must use ,peruvian guano1 or nitrate of soda and superphosphate1 or bone-dust1 or some other substance that will furnish available nitrogen and phosphoric acid4 ,or it may well be1 where stable-manure can be bought for #a4jj per two-horse load1 that it will be cheaper to use it in larger quantity rather than to try to make it rich4 ,in this case1 however1 we must endeavor to follow the cabbage by some crop that has the power of taking up the large quantity of nitrogen and other plant-food that will be left in the soil4 ,the cabbage needs a large supply of nitrogen in the soil1 but removes comparatively little of it4 ,we see that when #ge tons of manure is used1 a crop of #ej tons of cabbage takes out of the soil less than #cj per cent of the nitrogen4 ,and yet1 if you plant cabbage on this land1 the next year1 without manure1 you would get a small crop4 8,it cannot be for want of nitrogen10 said the ,deacon4 8,yes it can10 said ,i4 8,the cabbage1 especially the early kinds1 must have in the soil a much larger quantity of available nitrogen than the plants can use40 ,i do not mean by this that a large crop of cabbage could be raised1 year after year1 if furnished only with a large supply of available nitrogen4 ,in such a case1 the soil would soon lack the necessary inorganic ingredients4 ,but1 what ,i mean1 is this3 ,where land has been heavily manured for some years1 we could often raise a good crop of cabbage by a liberal dressing of available nitrogen1 and still more frequently1 if nitrogen and phosphoric acid were both used4 ,you may use what would be considered an excessive quantity of ordinary stable-manure1 and grow a large crop of cabbage2 but still1 if you plant cabbage the next year1 without manure of any kind1 you will get a small crop2 but dress it with a manure containing the necessary amount of nitrogen1 and you will1 so far as the supply of plant-food is concerned1 be likely to get a good crop4 ,in such circumstances1 ,i think an application of #hjj lbs4 of nitrate of soda per acre1 costing1 say #cb1 would be likely to afford a very handsome profit4 ,for lettuce1 in addition to well prepared rich land1 ,i should sow #c lbs4 of superphosphate to each square rod1 scattered in the rows before drilling in the seed4 ,it will favor the formation of fibrous roots and stimulate the growth of the young plants4 ,in raising onions from seed1 we require an abundance of rich1 well-rotted manure1 clean land1 and early sowing4 ,onions are often raised year after year on the same land4 ,that this entails a great waste of manure1 is highly probable1 but it is not an easy matter to get ordinary farm-land properly prepared for onions4 ,it needs to be clean and free from stones and rubbish of all kinds1 and when once it is in good condition1 it is thought better to continue it in onions1 even though it may entail more or less loss of fertility4 8,what do you mean10 asked the ,deacon1 8by loss of manure80 8,simply this10 said ,i4 8,we use a far greater amount of plant-food in the shape of manure than is removed by the crop of onions4 ,and yet1 notwithstanding this fact1 it is found1 as a matter of experience1 that it is absolutely necessary1 if we would raise a large and profitable crop1 to manure it every year40 ,a few experiments would throw much light on this matter4 ,i should expect1 when land had been heavily dressed every year for a few years1 with stable-manure1 and annually sown to onions1 that #hjj lbs4 of sulphate of ammonia1 or of nitrate of soda1 or #a1bjj lbs4 of ,peruvian guano would give as good a crop as #be or #cj tons of manure4 ,or perhaps a better plan would be to apply #aj or #ae loads of manure1 and #fjj lbs4 of guano1 or #djj lbs4 sulphate of ammonia4 ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,,manures ,,for ,,gardens ,,and ,,orchards4 ,,manure ,,for ,,market-,,gardens4 ,the chief dependence of the market gardener must be on the stable-manure which he can obtain from the city or village4 ,the chief defect of this manure is that it is not rich enough in available nitrogen4 ,the active nitrogen exists principally in the urine1 and this in our city stables is largely lost4 ,a ton of fresh1 unmixed horse-dung contains about #i lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,a ton of horse-urine1 #ca lbs4 ,but this does not tell the whole story4 ,the nitrogen in the dung is contained in the crude1 undigested portions of the food4 ,it is to a large extent insoluble and unavailable1 while the nitrogen in the urine is soluble and active4 ,the market-gardener1 of course1 has to take such manure as he can get1 and the only points to be considered are 7#a71 whether he had better continue to use an excessive quantity of the manure1 or 7#b71 to buy substances rich in available nitrogen1 and either mix them with the manure1 or apply them separately to the soil1 or 7#c71 whether he can use this horse-manure as bedding for pigs to be fed on rich nitrogenous food4 ,the latter plan ,i adopt on my own farm1 and in this way ,i get a very rich and active manure4 ,i get available nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 at far cheaper rates than they can be purchased in the best commercial fertilizers4 ,pigs void a large amount of urine1 and as pigs are ordinarily kept1 much of this liquid is lost for want of sufficient bedding to absorb it4 ,with the market-gardener or nurseryman1 who draws large quantities of horse-manure from the city1 this need not be the case4 ,the necessary buildings can be constructed at little cost1 and the horse-manure can be used freely4 ,the pigs should be fed on food rich in nitrogen1 such as bran1 malt-combs1 brewers' grains1 the refuse animal matter from the slaughter-houses or butchers' stores1 fish scrap1 pea or lentil-meal1 palm-nut cake1 or such food as will furnish the most nitrogenous food1 other things being equal1 at the cheapest rate4 ,the market-gardener not only requires large quantities of rich manure1 but he wants them to act quickly4 ,the nurseryman who sets out a block of trees which will occupy the ground for three1 four1 or five years1 may want a 8lasting manure10 but such is not the case with the gardener who grows crops which he takes off the land in a few months4 ,as long as he continues to use horse or cow-manure freely1 he need not trouble himself to get a slow or lasting manure4 ,his great aim should be to make the manure as active and available as possible4 ,and this is especially the case if he occupies clayey or loamy land4 ,on sandy land the manure will decompose more rapidly and act quicker4 8,there are many facts10 said the ,doctor1 8that show that an artificial application of water is equivalent to an application of manure4 ,it has been shown that market-gardeners find it necessary to apply a much larger amount of plant-food to the soil than the crops can take up4 ,this they have to do year after year4 ,and it may well be that1 when a supply of water can be had at slight cost1 it will be cheaper to irrigate the land1 or water the plants1 rather than to furnish such an excess of manure1 as is now found necessary4 ,even with ordinary farm-crops1 we know that they feel the effects of drouth far less on rich land than on poor land4 ,in other words1 a liberal supply of plant-food enables the crops to flourish with less water2 and1 on the other hand1 a greater supply of water will enable the crops to flourish with a less supply of plant-food4 ,the market-gardeners should look into this question of irrigation40 ,,manures ,,for ,,seed-,,growing ,,farms4 ,in growing garden and vegetable seeds1 much labor is necessarily employed per acre1 and consequently it is of great importance to produce a good yield4 ,the best and cleanest land is necessary to start with1 and then manures must be appropriately and freely used4 8,but not too freely10 said the ,doctor1 8for ,i am told it is quite possible to have land too rich for seed-growing40 ,it is not often that the land is too rich4 ,still1 it may well be that for some crops too much stable-manure is used4 ,but in nine cases out of ten1 when such manure gives too much growth and too little or too poor seed1 the trouble is in the quality of the manure4 ,it contains too much carbonaceous matter4 ,in other words1 it is so poor in nitrogen and phosphoric acid1 that an excessive quantity has to be used4 ,the remedy consists in making richer manures and using a less quantity1 or use half the quantity of stable-manure1 and apply the rectified or prepared ,peruvian guano1 at the rate of #cjj lbs4 or #djj lbs4 per acre1 or say #bjj lbs4 superphosphate and #bjj lbs4 nitrate of soda per acre4 ,where it is very important to have the seeds ripen early1 a liberal dressing1 say #djj lbs4 per acre1 of superphosphate of lime1 will be likely to prove beneficial4 ,,manure ,,for ,,private ,,gardens4 ,i once had a small garden in the city1 and having no manure1 ,i depended entirely on thorough cultivation and artificial fertilizers1 such as superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia4 ,it was cultivated not for profit1 but for pleasure1 but ,i never saw a more productive piece of land4 ,i had in almost every case two crops a year on the same land1 and on some plots three crops4 ,no manure was used1 except the superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia1 and coal and wood ashes from the house4 ,about #e lbs4 of sulphate of ammonia was sown broadcast to the square rod1 or worked into the soil very thoroughly in the rows where the seed was to be sown4 ,superphosphate was applied at the same rate1 but instead of sowing it broadcast1 ,i aimed to get it as near the seed or the roots of plants as possible4 ,half a teaspoonful of the mixture1 consisting of equal parts of superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia1 stirred into a large three gallon can of water1 and sprinkled on to a bed of verbenas1 seemed to have a remarkable effect on the size and brilliancy of the flowers4 ,even to this day1 although ,i have a good supply of rich barnyard-manure1 ,i do not like to be without some good artificial manure for the garden4 ,,manure ,,for ,,hot-,,beds4 ,the best manure for hot-beds is horse or sheep-dung that has been used as bedding for pigs4 ,when fresh stable-manure is used1 great pains should be taken to save all the urine4 ,in other words1 you want the horse-dung thoroughly saturated with urine4 ,the heat is produced principally from the carbon in the manure and straw1 but you need active nitrogenous matter to start the fire4 ,and the richer the manure is in nitrogenous matter1 and the more thoroughly this is distributed through the manure1 the more readily will it ferment4 ,there is also another advantage in having rich manure1 or manure well saturated with urine4 ,you can make the heap more compact4 ,poor manure has to be made in a loose heap1 or it will not ferment2 but such manure as we are talking about can be trodden down quite firm1 and still ferment rapid enough to give out the necessary heat1 and this compact heap will continue to ferment longer and give out a steadier heat1 than the loose heap of poor manure4 ,,manure ,,for ,,nurserymen4 ,our successful nurserymen purchase large quantities of stable and other manures from the cities1 drawing it as fast as it is made1 and putting it in piles until wanted4 ,they usually turn the piles once or twice1 and often three times4 ,this favors fermentation1 greatly reducing it in bulk1 and rendering the manure much more soluble and active4 ,it also makes the manure in the heap more uniform in quality4 ,messrs4 ,ellwanger ,barry tell me that they often ferment the manure that they draw from the stables in the city1 and make it so fine and rich1 that they get but one load of rotted manure from three loads as drawn from the stables4 ,for some crops1 they use at least #bj loads of this rotted manure per acre1 and they estimate that each load of this rotted manure costs at least #e4jj4 ,h4 ,e4 ,hooker places the cost of manure equally high1 but seems willing to use all he can get1 and does not think we can profitably employ artificial manures as a substitute4 ,in this ,i agree with him4 ,but while ,i should not expect artificial manures1 when used alone1 to prove as cheap or as valuable as stable-manure at present prices1 ,i think it may well be that a little nitrate of soda1 sulphate of ammonia1 and superphosphate of lime1 or dissolved ,peruvian guano1 might be used as an auxiliary manure to great advantage4 ,mr4 ,h4 ,e4 ,hooker1 once sowed1 at my suggestion1 some sulphate of ammonia and superphosphate on part of a block of nursery trees1 and he could not perceive that these manures did any good4 ,ellwanger ,barry also tried them1 and reported the same negative result4 ,this was several years ago1 and ,i do not think any similar experiments have been made since4 8,and yet10 said the ,deacon1 8you used these self same manures on farm-crops1 and they greatly increased the growth40 8,there are several reasons10 said the ,doctor1 8why these manures may have failed to produce any marked effect on the nursery trees4 ,in the first place1 there was considerable prejudice against them1 and the nurserymen would hardly feel like relying on these manures alone4 ,they probably sowed them on land already well manured2 and ,i think they sowed them too late in the season4 ,i should like to see them fairly tried40 ,so would ,i4 ,it seems to me that nitrate of soda1 and superphosphate1 or dissolved ,peruvian guano1 could be used with very great advantage and profit by the nurserymen4 ,of course1 it would hardly be safe to depend upon them alone4 ,they should be used either in connection with stable-manure1 or on land that had previously been frequently dressed with stable-manure4 ,,manure ,,for ,,fruit-,,growers4 ,how to keep up the fertility of our apple-orchards1 is becoming an important question1 and is attracting considerable attention4 ,there are two methods generally recommended--,i dare not say generally practised4 ,the one1 is to keep the orchard in bare-fallow2 the other1 to keep it in grass1 and top-dress with manure1 and either eat the grass off on the land with sheep and pigs1 or else mow it frequently1 and let the grass rot on the surface1 for mulch and manure4 8,you are speaking now10 said the ,deacon1 8of bearing apple-orchards4 ,no one recommends keeping a young orchard in grass4 ,we all know that young apple trees do far better when the land is occupied with corn1 potatoes1 beans1 or some other crop1 which can be cultivated1 than they do on land occupied with wheat1 barley1 oats1 rye1 buckwheat1 or grass and clover4 ,and even with bearing peach trees1 ,i have seen a wonderful difference in an orchard1 half of which was cultivated with corn1 and the other half sown with wheat4 ,the trees in the wheat were sickly-looking1 and bore a small crop of inferior fruit1 while the trees in the corn1 grew vigorously and bore a fine crop of fruit4 ,and the increased value of the crop of peaches on the cultivated land was far more than we can ever hope to get from a crop of wheat40 8,and yet10 said the ,doctor1 8the crop of corn on the cultivated half of the peach-orchard removed far more plant-food from the soil1 than the crop of wheat4 ,and so it is evident that the difference is not due wholly to the supply of manure in the surface-soil4 ,it may well be that the cultivation which the corn received favored the decomposition of organic matter in the soil1 and the formation of nitrates1 and when the rain came1 it would penetrate deeper into the loose soil than on the adjoining land occupied with wheat4 ,the rain would carry the nitrogen down to the roots of the peach trees1 and this will account for the dark green color of the leaves on the cultivated land1 and the yellow1 sickly-looking leaves on the trees among the wheat40 ,,hen-,,manure1 ,,and ,,what ,,to ,,do ,,with ,,it4 ,a bushel of corn fed to a hen would give no more nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 in the shape of manure1 than a bushel of corn fed to a pig4 ,the manure from the pig1 however1 taking the urine and solid excrement together1 contain #hb per cent of water1 while that from the hen contains only #ef per cent of water4 ,moreover1 hens pick up worms and insects1 and their food in such case would contain more nitrogen than the usual food of pigs1 and the manure would be correspondingly richer in nitrogen4 ,hence it happens that #ajj lbs4 of dry hen-manure would usually be richer in nitrogen than #ajj lbs4 of dry pig-manure4 ,but feed pigs on peas1 and hens on corn1 and the dry pig-manure would be much richer in nitrogen than the dry hen-manure4 ,the value of the manure1 other things being equal1 depends on the food and not on the animal4 ,let no man think he is going to make his farm any richer by keeping hens1 ducks1 and geese1 than he will by keeping sheep1 pigs1 and horses4 8,why is it1 then10 asked the ,deacon1 8that hen-dung proves such a valuable manure4 ,i would rather have a hundred lbs4 of hen-dung than half a ton of barnyard-manure80 8,and ,i presume you are right10 said ,i1 8but you must recollect that your hen-manure is kept until it is almost chemically dry4 ,let us figure up what the half ton of manure and the #ajj lbs4 of hen-manure would contain4 ,here are the figures1 side by side3 ---------------------------------------- -------------- #ajj lbs4 dry ,half ton ,hen-,manure4 ,cow-,dung with straw4 ---------------------------------------- -------------- ,water 7estimated7 #ab lbs4 #gge lbs4 ,organic ,matter #ea 0 #bjc 0 ,ash #cg 0 #bb 0 ---------------------------- ,nitrogen #c 0 #c 0 ,potash #a 0 #d 0 ,lime #d 0 #c 0 ,phosphoric acid #c 0 #a 0 ---------------------------------------- -------------- ,i would1 myself1 far rather have #ajj lbs4 of your dry hen-manure than half a ton of your farmyard-manure4 ,your hens are fed on richer food than your cows4 ,the #ajj lbs4 of hen-manure1 too1 would act much more rapidly than the half ton of cow-manure4 ,it would probably do twice as much good--possibly three or four times as much good1 on the first crop1 as the cow-manure4 ,the nitrogen1 being obtained from richer and more digestible food1 is in a much more active and available condition than the nitrogen in the cow-dung4 8,if you go on10 said the ,deacon1 8,i think you will prove that ,i am right40 8,i have never doubted10 said ,i1 8the great value of hen-dung1 as compared with barnyard-manure4 ,and all ,i wish to show is1 that1 notwithstanding its acknowledged value1 the fact remains that a given quantity of the same kind of food will give no greater amount of fertilizing matter when fed to a hen than if fed to a pig40 ,i want those farmers who find so much benefit from an application of hen-manure1 ashes1 and plaster1 to their corn and potatoes1 to feel that if they would keep better cows1 sheep1 and pigs1 and feed them better1 they would get good pay for their feed1 and the manure would enable them to grow larger crops4 ,while we have been talking1 the ,deacon was looking over the tables4 7,see ,appendix47 8,i see10 said he1 8that wheat and rye contain more nitrogen than hen-manure1 but less potash and phosphoric acid40 8,this is true10 said ,i1 8but the way to compare them1 in order to see the effect of passing the wheat through the hen1 is to look at the composition of the air-dried hen-dung4 ,the fresh hen-dung1 according to the table1 contains #ef per cent of water1 while wheat contains less than #ad per cent40 ,let us compare the composition of #a1jjj lbs4 air-dried hen-dung with #a1jjj lbs4 of air-dried wheat and rye1 and also with bran1 malt-combs1 etc4 ,phosphoric ,nitrogen4 ,potash4 ,acid4 ,wheat #bj4h #e4c #g4i ,wheat ,bran #bb4d #ad4c #bg4c ,rye #ag4f #e4f #h4d ,rye ,bran #bc4b #ai4c #cd4c ,buckwheat #ad4d #b4g #e4g ,buckwheat ,bran #bg4b #aa4b #ab4e ,malt-roots #cf4h #bj4f #ah4j ,air-dry ,hen-dung4 #cb4f #ag4j #cj4h 8,that table10 said the ,doctor1 8is well worth studying4 ,you see1 that when wheat is put through the process of milling1 the miller takes out as much of the starch and gluten as he wants1 and leaves you a product 7bran71 richer in phosphoric acid1 potash1 and nitrogen1 than you gave him40 8,and the same is true10 continued the ,doctor1 8of the hen4 ,you gave her #b1jjj grains of wheat1 containing #da4f grains of nitrogen4 ,she puts this through the mill1 together with some ashes1 and bones1 that she picks up1 and she takes out all the starch and fat1 and nitrogen1 and phosphate of lime1 that she needs to sustain life1 and to produce flesh1 bones1 feathers1 and eggs1 and leaves you #a1jjj grains of manure containing #cb4f grains of nitrogen1 #ag4j grains of potash1 and #cj4h grains of phosphoric acid4 ,i do not say10 continued the ,doctor1 8that it takes exactly #b1jjj grains of wheat to make #a1jjj grains of dry manure4 ,i merely give these figures to enable the ,deacon to understand why #a1jjj lbs4 of hen-dung is worth more for manure than #a1jjj lbs4 of wheat40 8,i must admit10 said the ,deacon1 8that ,i always have been troubled to understand why wheat-bran was worth more for manure than the wheat itself1 ,i see now--it is because there is less of it4 ,it is for the same reason that boiled cider is richer than the cider from which it is made4 ,the cider has lost water1 and the bran has lost starch4 ,what is left is richer in nitrogen1 and potash1 and phosphoric acid4 ,and so it is with manure4 ,the animals take out of the food the starch and fat1 and leave the manure richer in nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash40 8,exactly10 said ,i1 8,mr4 ,lawes found by actual experiment1 that if you feed #ejj lbs4 of barley-meal to a pig1 containing #dbj lbs4 of dry substance1 you get only #gj lbs4 of dry substance in the manure4 ,of the #dbj lbs4 of dry substance1 #bgf4b lbs4 are used to support respiration1 etc42 #gc4h lbs4 are found in the increase of the pig1 and #gj lbs4 in the manure40 ,the food contains #eb lbs4 of nitrogenous matter2 the increase of pig contains #g lbs41 and consequently1 if there is no loss1 the manure should contain #de lbs4 of nitrogenous substance to #g4ad lbs4 of nitrogen4 8,in other words10 said the ,doctor1 8the #gj lbs4 of dry liquid and solid pig-manure contains #g4ad lbs4 of nitrogen1 or #ajj lbs4 would contain #aj4b lbs4 of nitrogen1 which is more nitrogen than we now get in the very best samples of ,peruvian guano40 8,and thus it will be seen10 said ,i1 8that though corn-fed pigs1 leaving out the bedding and water1 produce a very small quantity of manure1 it is exceedingly rich40 ,the table from which these facts were obtained1 will be found in the ,appendix--pages #cdb-c4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,,different ,,kinds ,,of ,,manure4 ,,cow-,,manure1 ,,and ,,how ,,to ,,use ,,it4 8,it will do more good if fermented10 said a ,german farmer in the neighborhood1 who is noted for raising good crops of cabbage1 8but ,i like hog-manure better than cow-dung4 ,the right way is to mix the hog-manure1 cow-dung1 and horse-manure together40 8,no doubt about that10 said ,i1 8but when you have a good many cows1 and few other animals1 how would you manage the manure80 8,i would gather leaves and swamp-muck1 and use them for bedding the cows and pigs4 ,leaves make splendid bedding1 and they make rich manure1 and the cow-dung and leaves1 when made into a pile1 will ferment readily1 and make grand manure for--anything4 ,i only wish ,i had all ,i could use40 ,there is no question but what cow-manure is better if fermented1 but it is not always convenient to pile it during the winter in such a way that it will not freeze4 ,and in this case it may be the better plan to draw it out on to the land1 as opportunity offers4 8,i have heard10 said ,charley1 8that pig-manure was not good for cabbage1 it produces #8fingers and toes1' or club-foot40 ,possibly such is the case when there is a predisposition to the disease1 but our ,german friend says he has never found any ill-effects from its use4 8,cows10 said the ,doctor1 8when giving a large quantity of milk1 make rather poor manure4 ,the manure loses what the milk takes from the food40 8,we have shown what that loss is10 said ,i4 8,it amounts to less than ,i think is generally supposed4 ,and in the winter1 when the cows are dry1 the manure would be as rich as from oxen1 provided both were fed alike4 ,see ,appendix1 page #cdb4 ,it will there be seen that oxen take out only #d4a lbs4 of nitrogen from #ajj lbs4 of nitrogen consumed in the food4 ,in other words1 provided there is no loss1 we should get in the liquid and solid excrements of the ox and dry cow #ie4i per cent of the nitrogen furnished in the food1 and a still higher per cent of the mineral matter40 ,,sheep-,,manure4 ,according to ,prof4 ,wolff's table of analyses1 sheep-manure1 both solid and liquid1 contain less water than the manure from horses1 cows1 or swine4 ,with the exception of swine1 the solid dung is also the richest in nitrogen1 while the urine of sheep is pre-eminently rich in nitrogen and potash4 ,these facts are in accordance with the general opinions of farmers4 ,sheep-manure is considered1 next to hen-manure1 the most valuable manure made on the farm4 ,i do not think we have any satisfactory evidence to prove that #c tons of clover-hay and a ton of corn fed to a lot of fattening-sheep will afford a quantity of manure containing any more plant-food than the same kind and amount of food fed to a lot of fattening-cattle4 ,the experiments of ,lawes ,gilbert indicate that if there is any difference it is in favor of the ox4 ,see ,appendix1 page #cdc4 ,but it may well be that it is much easier to save the manure from the sheep than from the cattle4 ,and so1 practically1 sheep may be better manure-makers than cattle--for the simple reason that less of the urine is lost4 8,as a rule10 said the ,doctor1 8the dung of sheep contains far less water than the dung of cattle1 though when you slop your breeding ewes to make them give more milk1 the dung differs but little in appearance from that of cows4 ,ordinarily1 however1 sheep-dung is light and dry1 and1 like horse-dung1 will ferment much more rapidly than cow or pig-dung4 ,in piling manure in the winter or spring1 special pains should be used to mix the sheep and horse-manure with the cow and pig-manure4 ,and it may be remarked that for any crop or for any purpose where stable-manure is deemed desirable1 sheep-manure would be a better substitute than cow or pig-manure40 ,,manure ,,from ,,swine4 ,the dry matter of hog-manure1 especially the urine1 is rich in nitrogen1 but it is mixed with such a large quantity of water that a ton of hog-manure1 as it is usually found in the pen1 is less valuable than a ton of horse or sheep-manure1 and only a little more valuable than a ton of cow-manure4 ,as ,i have before said1 my own plan is to let the store-hogs sleep in a basement-cellar1 and bed them with horse and sheep-manure4 ,i have this winter over #ej sows under the horse-stable1 and the manure from #h horses keeps them dry and comfortable1 and we are not specially lavish with straw in bedding the horses4 ,during the summer we aim to keep the hogs out in the pastures and orchards as much as possible4 ,this is not only good for the health of the pigs1 but saves labor and straw in the management of the manure4 ,it goes directly to the land4 ,the pigs are good grazers and distribute the manure as evenly over the land as sheep--in fact1 during hot weather1 sheep are even more inclined to huddle together under the trees1 and by the side of the fence1 than pigs4 ,this is particularly the case with the larger breeds of sheep4 ,in the winter it is not a difficult matter to save all the liquid and solid excrements from pigs1 provided the pens are dry and no water comes in from the rain and snow4 ,as pigs are often managed1 this is the real difficulty4 ,pigs void an enormous quantity of water1 especially when fed on slops from the house1 whey1 etc4 ,if they are kept in a pen with a separate feeding and sleeping apartment1 both should be under cover1 and the feeding apartment may be kept covered a foot or so thick with the soiled bedding from the sleeping apartment4 ,when the pigs get up in a morning1 they will go into the feeding apartment1 and the liquid will be discharged on the mass of manure1 straw1 etc4 8,dried muck10 said the ,deacon1 8comes in very handy about a pig-pen1 for absorbing the liquid40 8,yes10 said ,i1 8and even dry earth can be used to great advantage1 not merely to absorb the liquid1 but to keep the pens sweet and healthy4 ,the three chief points in saving manure from pigs are3 #a1 ,to have the pens under cover2 #b1 to keep the feeding apartment or yard covered with a thick mass of strawy manure and refuse of any kind1 and #c1 to scatter plenty of dry earth or dry muck on the floor of the sleeping apartment1 and on top of the manure in the feeding apartment40 8,you feed most of your pigs10 said the ,deacon1 8out of doors in the yard1 and they sleep in the pens or basement cellars1 and it seems to me to be a good plan1 as they get more fresh air and exercise than if confined40 8,we do not lose much manure10 said ,i1 8by feeding in the yards4 ,you let a dozen pigs sleep in a pen all night1 and as soon as they hear you putting the food in the troughs outside1 they come to the door of the pen1 and there discharge the liquid and solid excrements on the mass of manure left there on purpose to receive and absorb them4 ,i am well aware that as pigs are often managed1 we lose at least half the value of their manure1 but there is no necessity for this4 ,a little care and thought will save nearly the whole of it40 ,,buying ,,manure ,,by ,,measure ,,or ,,weight4 ,the ,deacon and ,i have just been weighing a bushel of different kinds of manure made on the farm4 ,we made two weighings of each kind1 one thrown in loose1 and the other pressed down firm4 ,the following is the result3 ,weight of ,manure per ,bushel1 and per ,load of #ej ,bushels4 ,wt_/,bu ,weight per ,bushel in lbs4 ,wt_/,load ,weight per ,load of #ej bushels4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,no4 ,kind ,and ,condition ,of ,manures4 ,wt_/,bu ,wt_/,load ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- lbs4 lbs4 #a4;,fresh horse-manure free from straw #cg #ahge #b4 0 0 0 0 0 0 pressed #ee #bgej #c4;,fresh horse-manure1 as used for bedding pigs #bh #adjj #d4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 pressed #df #bcjj #e4;,horse-manure from pig cellar #ej #bejj #f4 0 0 0 0 0 pressed #gb #cfjj #g4,pig-manure #eg #bhej #h4 0 0 pressed #ge #cgej #i4,pig-manure and dry earth #ih #dijj #aj4,sheep-manure from open shed #db #bajj #aa4 0 0 0 0 0 pressed #fe #cbej #ab4,sheep-manure from closed shed #bh #adjj #ac4 0 0 0 0 0 pressed #ch #aijj #ad4;,fresh cow-dung1 free from straw #hg #dcej #ae4;,hen-manure #cd #agjj #af4 0 0 pressed #dh #bdjj ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- 8,in buying manure10 said the ,deacon1 8it makes quite a difference whether the load is trod down solid or thrown loosely into the box4 ,a load of fresh horse-manure1 when trod down1 weighs half as much again as when thrown in loose40 8,a load of horse-manure10 said ,charley1 8after it has been used for bedding pigs1 weighs #c1fjj lbs41 and only #b1cjj lbs4 when it is thrown into the pens1 and ,i suppose a ton of the #8double-worked' manure is fully as valuable as a ton of the fresh horse-manure4 ,if so1 #ae #8loads' of the pig-pen manure is equal to #bd #8loads' of the stable-manure40 8,a ton of fresh horse-manure10 said the ,doctor1 8contains about #i lbs4 of nitrogen2 a ton of fresh cow-dung about #f lbs42 a ton of fresh sheep-dung1 #aa lbs41 and a ton of fresh pig-manure1 #ab lbs4 ,but if the ,deacon and you weighed correctly1 a #8load' or cord of cow-manure would contain more nitrogen than a load of pressed horse-manure4 ,the figures are as follows3 ,a load of #ej bushels of fresh horse-dung1 pressed and free from straw contains #ab4cg lbs4 nitrogen4 ,a load of fresh cow-dung #ac4je 0 0 0 0 sheep 0 #aj4de 0 0 0 0 pig 0 #bb4ej 0 0 8,these figures10 said ,i1 8show how necessary it is to look at this subject in all its aspects4 ,if ,i was buying manures by weight1 ,i would much prefer a ton of sheep-manure1 if it had been made under cover1 to any other manure except hen-dung1 especially if it contained all the urine from the sheep4 ,but if buying manure by the load or cord1 that from a covered pig-pen would be preferable to any other40 ,,liquid ,,manure ,,on ,,the ,,farm4 ,i have never had any personal experience in the use of liquid manure to any crop except grass4 ,at ,rothamsted1 ,mr4 ,lawes used to draw out the liquid manure in a water-cart1 and distribute it on grass land4 8,what we want to know10 said the ,deacon1 8is whether the liquid from our barn-yards will pay to draw out4 ,if it will1 the proper method of using it can be left to our ingenuity40 ,according to ,prof4 ,wolff1 a ton of urine from horses1 cows1 sheep1 and swine1 contains the following amounts of nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 and1 for the sake of comparison1 ,i give the composition of drainage from the barn-yard1 and also of fresh dung of the different animals3 ,table ,showing the ,amount of ,nitrogen1 ,phosphoric ,acid1 and ,potash1 in ,one ,ton of the ,fresh ,dung and ,fresh ,urine of ,different ,animals1 and ,also of the ,drainage of the ,barn-,yard4 ,nitro7gen74 ,phos7phoric7 ,acid4 ,pot7ash74 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- #a ,ton ,fresh ,dung4 #a ,ton ,fresh ,urine4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,nitro4 ,phos4 ,pot4 ,nitro4 ,phos4 ,pot4 acid4 acid4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,horse #h4h #g4j #g4j #ca4j #cj4j ,cow #e4h #c4d #b4j #aa4f #i4h ,sheep #aa4j #f4b #c4j #ci4j #j4b #de4b ,swine #ab4j #h4b #e4b #h4f #a4d #af4f ,mean #i4d #f4b #d4c #bb4e #j4d #be4d ,drainage of barn-yard #c4j #j4b #i4h ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ,the drainage from a barn-yard1 it will be seen1 contains a little more than half as much nitrogen as cow-dung2 and it is probable that the nitrogen in the liquid is in a much more available condition than that in the dung4 ,it contains1 also1 nearly five times as much potash as the dung4 ,it would seem1 therefore1 that with proper arrangements for pumping and distributing1 this liquid could be drawn a short distance with profit4 ,but whether it will or will not pay to cart away the drainage1 it is obviously to our interest to prevent1 as far as possible1 any of the liquid from running to waste4 ,it is of still greater importance to guard against any loss of urine4 ,it will be seen that1 on the average1 a ton of the urine of our domestic animals contains more than twice as much nitrogen as a ton of the dung4 ,where straw1 leaves1 swamp-muck1 or other absorbent materials are not sufficiently abundant to prevent any loss of urine1 means should be used to drain it into a tank so located that the liquid can either be pumped back on to the manure when needed1 or drawn away to the land4 8,i do not see10 said the ,deacon1 8why horse and sheep-urine should contain so much more nitrogen and potash than that from the cow and pig40 8,the figures given by ,prof4 ,wolff10 said ,i1 8are general averages4 ,the composition of the urine varies greatly4 ,the richer the food in digestible nitrogenous matter1 the more nitrogen will there be in the dry matter of the urine4 ,and1 other things being equal1 the less water the animal drinks1 the richer will the urine be in nitrogen4 ,the urine from a sheep fed solely on turnips would contain little or no more nitrogen than the urine of a cow fed on turnips4 ,an ox or a dry cow fed on grass would probably void no more nor no poorer urine than a horse fed on grass4 ,the urine that ,mr4 ,lawes drew out in a cart on to his grass-land was made by sheep that had one lb4 each of oil-cake per day1 and one lb4 of chaffed clover-hay1 and all the turnips they would eat4 ,they voided a large quantity of urine1 but as the food was rich in nitrogen1 the urine was doubtless nearly or quite as rich as that analyzed by ,prof4 ,wolff1 though that probably contained less water40 ,if ,i was going to draw out liquid manure1 ,i should be very careful to spout all the buildings1 and keep the animals and manure as much under cover as possible1 and also feed food rich in nitrogen4 ,in such circumstances1 it would doubtless pay to draw the urine full as well as to draw the solid manure4 ,,nightsoil ,,and ,,sewage4 ,the composition of human excrements1 as compared with the mean composition of the excrements from horses1 cows1 sheep1 and swine1 so far as the nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash are concerned1 is as follows3 ,table ,showing the ,amount of ,nitrogen1 ,phosphoric ,acid1 and ,potash1 in ,one ,ton of ,fresh ,human ,excrements1 and in ,one ,ton of ,fresh ,excrements ,from ,horses1 ,cows1 ,sheep1 and ,swine4 ,phos7phoric7 ,acid4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,solids ,urine ,one ton ---------------------------------------- ------------ 7#bjjj lbs74 ,phos4 ,phos4 ,nitrogen4 acid4 ,potash4 ,nitrogen4 acid4 ,potash4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,human #bj4j lbs4#ba4h lbs4#e4j lbs4#ab4j lbs4#c4g lbs4 #d4j lbs4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,mean of horse1 cow1 sheep1 and swine #i4d 0 #f4b 0 #d4c 0 #bb4e 0 #j4d 0 #be4d 0 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,one ton of fresh fces contains more than twice as much nitrogen1 and more than three times as much phosphoric acid1 as a ton of fresh mixed animal-dung4 ,the nitrogen1 too1 is probably in a more available condition than that in common barnyard-dung2 and we should not be far wrong in estimating #a ton of fces equal to #b tons of ordinary dung1 or about equal in value to carefully preserved manure from liberally-fed sheep1 swine1 and fattening cattle4 8,it is an unpleasant job10 said the ,deacon1 8but it pays well to empty the vaults at least twice a year40 8,if farmers10 said the ,doctor1 8would only throw into the vaults from time to time some dry earth or coal ashes1 the contents of the vaults could be removed without any disagreeable smell40 8,that is so10 said ,i1 8and even where a vault has been shamefully neglected1 and is full of offensive matter1 it can be cleaned out without difficulty and without smell4 ,i have cleaned out a large vault in an hour4 ,we were drawing manure from the yards with three teams and piling it in the field4 ,we brought back a load of sand and threw half of it into the vault1 and put the other half on one side1 to be used as required4 ,the sand and fces were then1 with a long-handled shovel1 thrown into the wagon1 and drawn to the pile of manure in the field1 and thrown on to the pile1 not more than two or three inches thick4 ,the team brought back a load of sand1 and so we continued until the work was done4 ,sand or dry earth is cheap1 and we used all that was necessary to prevent the escape of any unpleasant gases1 and to keep the material from adhering to the shovels or the wagon40 8,human urine10 said the ,doctor1 8is richer in phosphoric acid1 but much poorer in nitrogen and potash than the urine from horses1 cows1 sheep1 and swine40 8,some years ago10 said the ,deacon1 8,mr4 ,h4 ,e4 ,hooker1 of ,rochester1 used to draw considerable quantities of urine from the city to his farm4 ,it would pay better to draw out the urine from farm animals40 8,the figures given above10 said ,i1 8showing the composition of human excrements1 are from ,prof4 ,wolff1 and probably are generally correct4 ,but1 of course1 the composition of the excrements would vary greatly1 according to the food40 ,it has been ascertained by ,lawes and ,gilbert that the amount of matter voided by an adult male in the course of a year is--fces1 #ie lbs42 urine1 #a1jdi lbs42 total liquid and solid excrements in the pure state1 #a1add lbs4 ,these contain3 ,dry substance--fces1 #bc lbs42 urine1 #cd2 total1 #eh lbs4 ,mineral matter--fces1 #b lbs42 urine1 #ab2 total1 #ad lbs4 ,carbon--fces1 #aj lbs42 urine1 #ab2 total #bb lbs4 ,nitrogen--fces1 #a4b lbs42 urine1 #aj4h2 total1 #ab lbs4 ,phosphoric acid--fces1 #j4g lbs42 urine1 #a4ic2 total1 #b4fc lbs4 ,potash--fces1 #j4bd lbs42 urine1 #b4ja2 total1 #b4be lbs4 ,the amount of potash is given by ,prof4 ,e4 ,wolff1 not by ,lawes and ,gilbert4 ,the mixed solid and liquid excrements1 in the condition they leave the body1 contain about #ie per cent of water4 ,it would require1 therefore1 #bj tons of fresh mixed excrements1 to make one ton of dry nightsoil1 or the entire amount voided by a mixed family of #dc persons in a year4 ,one hundred lbs4 of fresh fces contain #ge lbs4 of water1 and #be lbs4 of dry substance4 ,one hundred lbs4 of fresh urine contain #if lbs4 of water1 and #c lbs4 of dry substance4 ,one hundred lbs4 of the dry substance of the fces contain #e lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #e lbs4 of phosphates4 ,one hundred lbs4 of the dry substance of the urine contain #bg lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #aj lbs4 of phosphates4 ,these figures are from ,lawes and ,gilbert1 and may be taken as representing the composition of excrements from moderately well-fed persons4 ,according to ,wolff1 a ton of fresh human urine contains #ab lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,according to ,lawes and ,gilbert1 #ah lbs4 ,the liquid carted from the city by ,mr4 ,hooker was from well-fed adult males1 and would doubtless be fully equal to the figures given by ,lawes and ,gilbert4 ,if we call the nitrogen worth #bj cents a lb41 and the phosphoric acid 7soluble7 worth #ab cents1 a ton of such urine would be worth1 on the land1 #a4jf4 8,a ton of the fresh fces10 said the ,deacon1 8at the same estimate1 would be worth 7#bj lbs4 nitrogen1 at #bj cents1 #d2 #ba lbs4 phosphoric acid1 at #ab cents1 #b4gj71 #f4gj40 8,not by a good deal10 said the ,doctor4 8,the nitrogen and phosphoric acid in the urine are both soluble1 and would be immediately available4 ,but the nitrogen and phosphoric acid in the fces would be mostly insoluble4 ,we cannot estimate the nitrogen in the fces at over #ae cents a lb41 and the phosphoric acid at #e cents4 ,this would make the value of a ton of fresh fces1 on the land1 #d4ji40 8,this makes the ton of fces worth about the same as a ton of urine4 ,but ,i would like to know10 said the ,deacon1 8if you really believe we could afford to pay #d per ton for the stuff delivered on the farm80 8,if we could get the genuine article10 said the ,doctor1 8it would be worth #d a ton4 ,but1 as a rule1 it is mixed with water1 and dirt1 and stones1 and bricks1 and rubbish of all kinds4 ,still1 it is unquestionably a valuable fertilizer40 8,in the dry-earth closets10 said ,i1 8such a large quantity of earth has to be used to absorb the liquid1 that the material1 even if used several times1 is not worth carting any considerable distance4 ,dr4 ,gilbert found that #e tons of absolutely dry earth1 before using1 contained #af4g lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,after being used once1 #e tons of the dry earth contained #bd4j lbs4 0 0 0 twice1 0 0 0 0 0 #cf4c 0 0 0 0 three times1 0 0 0 0 0 #dd4f 0 0 0 0 four times1 0 0 0 0 0 #ed4j 0 0 0 0 five times1 0 0 0 0 0 #fa4d 0 0 0 0 six times1 0 0 0 0 0 #ga4f 0 ,dr4 ,vlcker found that five tons of dry earth gained about #g lbs4 of nitrogen1 and #aa lbs4 of phosphoric acid1 each time it was used in the closets4 ,if we consider each lb4 of nitrogen with the phosphoric acid worth #bj cents a lb41 #e tons of the dry earth1 after being used once1 would be worth #a4df1 or less than #cj cents a ton1 and after it had been used six times1 five tons of the material would be worth #aa4ih1 or about #b4dj per ton4 ,in this calculation ,i have not reckoned in the value of the nitrogen the soil contained before using4 ,soil1 on a farm1 is cheap4 ,it is clear from these facts that any earth-closet manure a farmer would be likely to purchase in the city has not a very high value4 ,it is absurd to talk of making 8guano0 or any concentrated fertilizer out of the material from earth-closets4 8,it is rather a reflection on our science and practical skill10 said the ,doctor1 8but it looks at present as though the only plan to adopt in large cities is to use enormous quantities of water and wash the stuff into the rivers and oceans for the use of aquatic plants and fishes4 ,the nitrogen is not all lost4 ,some of it comes back to us in rains and dews4 ,of course1 there are places where the sewage of our cities and villages can be used for irrigating purposes4 ,but when water is used as freely as it ought to be used for health1 the sewage is so extremely poor in fertilizing matter1 that it must be used in enormous quantities1 to furnish a dressing equal to an application of #bj tons of stable-manure per acre40 8,if10 continued the ,doctor1 8the sewage is used merely as water for irrigating purposes1 that is another question4 ,the water itself may often be of great benefit4 ,this aspect of the question has not received the attention it merits40 ,,peruvian ,,guano4 ,guano is the manure of birds that live principally on fish4 ,fish contain a high percentage of nitrogen and phosphoric acid1 and consequently when fish are digested and the carbon is burnt out of them1 the manure that is left contains a still higher percentage of nitrogen and phosphoric acid than the fish from which it was derived4 ,guano is digested fish4 ,if the guano1 or the manure from the birds living on fish1 has been preserved without loss1 it would contain not only a far higher percentage of nitrogen1 but the nitrogen would be in a much more available condition1 and consequently be more valuable than the fish from which the guano is made4 ,the difference in the value of guano is largely due to a difference in the climate and locality in which it is deposited by the birds4 ,in a rainless and hot climate1 where the bird-droppings would dry rapidly1 little or no putrefaction or fermentation would take place1 and there would be no loss of nitrogen from the formation and escape of ammonia4 ,in a damper climate1 or where there was more or less rain1 the bird-droppings would putrefy1 and the ammonia would be liable to evaporate1 or to be leached out by the rain4 ,thirty years ago ,i saw a quantity of ,peruvian guano that contained more than #ah per cent of nitrogen4 ,it was remarkably light colored4 ,you know that the white part of hen-droppings consists principally of uric acid1 which contains about #cc per cent of nitrogen4 ,for many years it was not difficult to find guano containing #ac per cent of nitrogen1 and genuine ,peruvian guano was the cheapest and best source of available nitrogen4 ,but latterly1 not only has the price been advanced1 but the quality of the guano has deteriorated4 ,it has contained less nitrogen and more phosphoric acid4 ,see the ,chapter on 8,value of ,fertilizers10 ,page #cbd4 ,,salts ,,of ,,ammonia ,,and ,,nitrate ,,of ,,soda4 8,i wish10 said the ,deacon1 8you would tell us something about the #8ammonia-salts' and nitrate of soda so long used in ,lawes and ,gilbert's experiments4 ,i have never seen any of them40 8,you could not invest a little money to better advantage than to send for a few bags of sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda4 ,you would then see what they are1 and would learn more by using them1 than ,i can tell you in a month4 ,you use them just as you would common salt4 ,as a rule1 the better plan is to sow them broadcast1 and it is important to distribute them evenly4 ,in sowing common salt1 if you drop a handful in a place1 it will kill the plants4 ,and so it is with nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia4 ,two or three pounds on a square rod will do good1 but if you put half of it on a square yard1 it will burn up the crop1 and the other half will be applied in such a small quantity that you will see but little effect1 and will conclude that it is a humbug4 ,judging from over thirty years' experience1 ,i am safe in saying that not one man in ten can be trusted to sow these manures4 ,they should be sown with as much care as you sow grass or clover-seed40 8,the best plan10 said the ,doctor1 8is to mix them with sifted coal-ashes1 or with gypsum1 or sifted earth40 8,perhaps so10 said ,i1 8though there is nothing gained by mixing earth or ashes with them1 except in securing a more even distribution4 ,and if ,i was going to sow them myself1 ,i would much prefer sowing them unmixed4 ,any man who can sow wheat or barley can sow sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda40 8,lawes and ,gilbert10 said the ,deacon1 8used sulphate and muriate of ammonia1 and in one or two instances the carbonate of ammonia4 ,which is the best80 8,the one that will furnish ammonia or nitrogen at the cheapest rate10 said the ,doctor1 8is the best to use4 ,the muriate of ammonia contains the most ammonia1 but the sulphate1 in proportion to the ammonia1 is cheaper than the muriate1 and far cheaper than the carbonate40 ,carbonate of ammonia contains #ba per cent of ammonia4 ,sulphate of ammonia contains #be per cent of ammonia #ba of nitrogen4 ,muriate of ammonia contains #ca per cent of ammonia #be of nitrogen4 ,nitrate of soda contains #af per cent of nitrogen4 ,nitrate of potash1 #ac per cent of nitrogen4 ,from these figures you can ascertain1 when you know the price of each1 which is the cheapest source of nitrogen4 8,true10 said ,i1 8but it must be understood that these figures represent the composition of a pure article4 ,the commercial sulphate of ammonia1 and nitrate of soda1 would usually contain #aj per cent of impurities4 ,lawes and ,gilbert1 who have certainly had much experience1 and doubtless get the best commercial articles1 state that a mixture of equal parts sulphate and muriate of ammonia contains about #be per cent of ammonia4 ,according to the figures given by the ,doctor1 the mixture would contain1 if pure1 over #bh per cent of ammonia4 ,in other words1 #ij lbs4 of the pure article contains as much as #ajj lbs4 of the commercial article40 ,as to whether it is better1 when you can buy nitrogen at the same price in nitrate of soda as you can in sulphate of ammonia1 to use the one or the other will depend on circumstances4 ,the nitrogen exists as nitric acid in the nitrate of soda1 and as ammonia in the sulphate of ammonia4 ,but there are good reasons to believe that before ammonia is used by the plants it is converted into nitric acid4 ,if1 therefore1 we could apply the nitrate just where it is wanted by the growing crop1 and when there is rain enough to thoroughly distribute it through the soil to the depth of six or eight inches1 there can be little doubt that the nitrate1 in proportion to the nitrogen1 would have a quicker and better effect than the sulphate of ammonia4 8,there is another point to be considered10 said the ,doctor4 8,nitric acid is much more easily washed out of the soil than ammonia4 ,more or less of the ammonia enters into chemical combination with portions of the soil1 and may be retained for months or years40 ,when we use nitrate of soda1 we run the risk of losing more or less of it from leaching1 while if we use ammonia1 we lose1 for the time being1 more or less of it from its becoming locked up in insoluble combinations in the soil4 ,for spring crops1 such as barley or oats1 or spring wheat1 or for a meadow or lawn1 or for top-dressing winter-wheat in the spring1 the nitrate of soda1 provided it is sown early enough1 or at any time in the spring1 just previous to a heavy rain1 is likely to produce a better effect than the sulphate of ammonia4 ,but for sowing in the autumn on winter-wheat the ammonia is to be preferred4 8,saltpetre1 or nitrate of potash10 said the ,deacon1 8does not contain as much nitrogen as nitrate of soda40 8,and yet10 said the ,doctor1 8if it could be purchased at the same price1 it would be the cheaper manure4 ,it contains #df per cent of potash1 and on soils1 or for crops where potash is needed1 we may sometimes be able to purchase saltpetre to advantage40 8,if ,i could come across a lot of damaged saltpetre10 said ,i1 8that could be got for what it is worth as manure1 ,i should like to try it on my apple trees--one row with nitrate of soda1 and one row with nitrate of potash4 ,when we apply manure to apple trees1 the ammonia1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 are largely retained in the first few inches of surface soil1 and the deeper roots get hold of only those portions which leach through the upper layer of earth4 ,nitric acid1 however1 is easily washed down into the subsoil1 and would soon reach all the roots of the trees40 ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,,bone-,,dust ,,and ,,superphosphate ,,of ,,lime4 ,bone-dust is often spoken of as a phosphatic manure1 and it has been supposed that the astonishing effect bone-dust sometimes produces on old pasture-land1 is due to its furnishing phosphoric acid to the soil4 ,but it must be remembered that bone-dust furnishes nitrogen as well as phosphoric acid1 and we are not warranted in ascribing the good effect of bones to phosphoric acid alone4 ,bones differ considerably in composition4 ,they consist essentially of gelatine and phosphate of lime4 ,bones from young animals1 and the soft porous parts of all bones1 contain more gelatine than the solid parts1 or the bones from older animals4 ,on the average1 #a1jjj lbs4 of good commercial bone-dust contains #ch lbs4 of nitrogen4 ,on the old dairy farms of ,cheshire1 where bone-dust produced such marked improvement in the quantity and quality of the pastures and meadows1 it was usual to apply from #d1jjj to #e1jjj lbs4 per acre1 and often more4 ,in other words1 a dressing of bone-dust frequently contained #bjj lbs4 of nitrogen per acre--equal to #bj or #be tons of barn-yard manure4 8,it has been supposed10 said the ,doctor1 8that owing to the removal of so much phosphoric acid in the cheese sold from the farm1 that the dairy pastures of ,cheshire had been exhausted of phosphoric acid1 and that the wonderful benefits following an application of bone-dust to these pastures1 was due to its supplying phosphoric acid40 8,i do not doubt10 said ,i1 8the value of phosphoric acid when applied in connection with nitrogen to old pasture lands1 but ,i contend that the experience of the ,cheshire dairymen with bone-dust is no positive proof that their soils were particularly deficient in phosphoric acid4 ,there are many instances given where the gelatine of the bones1 alone1 proved of great value to the grass4 ,and ,i think it will be found that the ,cheshire dairymen do not find as much benefit from superphosphate as they did from bone-dust4 ,and the reason is1 that the latter1 in addition to the phosphoric acid1 furnished a liberal dressing of nitrogen4 ,furthermore1 it is not true that dairying specially robs the soil of phosphoric acid4 ,take one of these old dairy farms in ,cheshire1 where a dressing of bone-dust1 according to a writer in the ,journal of the ,royal ,agricultural ,society1 has caused #8a miserable covering of pink grass1 rushes1 and a variety of other noxious weeds1 to give place to the most luxuriant herbage of wild clover1 trefoil1 and other succulent and nutritious grasses4' ,it is evident from this description of the pastures before the bones were used1 that it would take at least three acres to keep a cow for a year40 8,i have known10 says the same writer quoted above1 8many a poor1 honest1 but half broken-hearted man raised from poverty to comparative independence1 and many a sinking family saved from inevitable ruin by the help of this wonderful manure40 ,and this writer not only spoke from observation and experience1 but he showed his faith by his works1 for he tells us that he had paid nearly #ej1jjj for this manure4 ,now1 on one of these poor dairy farms1 where it required #c acres to keep a cow1 and where the grass was of poor quality1 it is not probable that the cows produced over #bej lbs4 of cheese in a year4 ,one thousand pounds of cheese contains1 on the average1 about #de lbs4 of nitrogen2 #b lbs4 of potash1 and #aa lbs4 of phosphoric acid4 ,from this it follows1 if #bej lbs4 of cheese are sold annually from three acres of pasture1 less than one lb4 of phosphoric acid per acre is exported from the farm in the cheese4 ,one ton of timothy-hay contains nearly #ad lbs4 of phosphoric acid4 ,and so a farmer who raises a ton of timothy-hay per acre1 and sells it1 sends off as much phosphoric acid in one year as such a ,cheshire dairyman as ,i have alluded to did in fourteen years4 ,what the dairymen want1 and what farmers generally want1 is nitrogen and phosphoric acid4 ,bone-dust furnishes both1 and this was the reason of its wonderful effects4 ,it does not follow from this1 that bone-dust is the cheapest and best manure we can use4 ,it is an old and popular manure1 and usually commands a good price4 ,it sells for all it is worth4 ,a dozen years ago1 ,i bought ten tons of bone-dust at #ah per ton4 ,i have offered #be per ton since for a similar lot1 but the manufacturers find a market in ,new ,york for all they can make4 ,bone-dust1 besides nitrogen1 contains about #bc per cent of phosphoric acid4 8,that does not give me10 said the ,deacon1 8any idea of its value40 8,let us put it in another shape1 then10 said ,i4 8,one ton of good bone-dust contains about as much nitrogen as #h tons of fresh stable-manure1 and as much phosphoric acid as #aaj tons of fresh stable-manure4 ,but one ton of manure contains more potash than #e tons of bone-dust40 ,bone-dust1 like barnyard-manure1 does not immediately yield up its nitrogen and phosphoric acid to plants4 ,the bone phosphate of lime is insoluble in water1 and but very slightly soluble in water containing carbonic acid4 ,the gelatine of the bones would soon decompose in a moist1 porous1 warm soil1 provided it was not protected by the oil and by the hard matter of the bones4 ,steaming1 by removing the oil1 removes one of the hindrances to decomposition4 ,reducing the bones as fine as possible is another means of increasing their availability4 ,another good method of increasing the availability of bone-dust is to mix it with barnyard-manure1 and let both ferment together in a heap4 ,i am inclined to think this the best1 simplest1 and most economical method of rendering bone-dust available4 ,the bone-dust causes the heap of manure to ferment more readily1 and the fermentation of the manure softens the bones4 ,both the manure and the bones are improved and rendered richer and more available by the process4 ,another method of increasing the availability of bone-dust is by mixing it with sulphuric acid4 ,the phosphate of lime in bones is insoluble in water1 though rain water containing carbonic acid1 and the water in soils1 slowly dissolve it4 ,by treating the bones with sulphuric acid1 the phosphate of lime is decomposed and rendered soluble4 ,consequently1 bone-dust treated with sulphuric acid will act much more rapidly than ordinary bone-dust4 ,the sulphuric acid does not make it any richer in phosphoric acid or nitrogen4 ,it simply renders them more available4 8,and yet10 said the ,doctor1 8the use of sulphuric acid for #8dissolving' bones1 or rather phosphate of lime1 introduced a new era in agriculture4 ,it is the grand agricultural fact of the nineteenth century40 8,it is perhaps not necessary10 said ,i1 8to give any direction for treating bones with sulphuric acid4 ,we have got beyond that4 ,we can now buy superphosphate cheaper than we can make it from bones40 8,but is it as good80 asked the ,deacon4 8,soluble phosphate of lime10 said ,i1 8is soluble phosphate of lime1 and it makes no difference whether it is made from burnt bones1 or from phosphatic guano1 or mineral phosphate4 ,that question has been fully decided by the most satisfactory experiments40 8,before you and the ,deacon discuss that subject10 said the ,doctor1 8it would be well to tell ,charley what superphosphate is40 8,i wish you would tell me10 said ,charley4 8,well10 said the ,doctor1 8phosphate of lime1 as it exists in bones1 is composed of three atoms of lime and one atom of phosphoric acid4 ,chemists call it the tricalcic phosphate4 ,it is also called the basic phosphate of lime1 and not unfrequently the #8bone-earth phosphate4' ,it is the ordinary or common form of phosphate of lime1 as it exists in animals1 and plants1 and in the various forms of mineral phosphates4 8,then there is another phosphate of lime1 called the dicalcic phosphate1 or neutral phosphate of lime1 or reverted phosphate of lime4 ,it is composed of one atom of water1 two atoms of lime1 and one atom of phosphoric acid4 8,then we have what we call superphosphate1 or acid phosphate of lime1 or more properly monocalcic phosphate4 ,it is composed of two atoms of water1 one atom of lime1 and one atom of phosphoric acid4 ,this acid phosphate of lime is soluble in water4 8,the manufacture of superphosphate of lime is based on these facts4 ,the one-lime phosphate is soluble1 the three-lime phosphate is insoluble4 ,to convert the latter into the former1 all we have to do is to take away two atoms of lime4 8,sulphuric acid has a stronger affinity for lime than phosphoric acid4 ,and when you mix enough sulphuric acid with finely ground three-lime phosphate1 to take away two atoms of lime1 you get the phosphoric acid united with one atom of lime and two atoms of water40 8,and what10 asked the ,deacon1 8becomes of the two atoms of lime80 8,they unite with the sulphuric acid10 said the ,doctor1 8and form plaster1 gypsum1 or sulphate of lime40 8,the molecular weight of water10 continued the ,doctor1 8is #ah2 of lime1 #ef2 of sulphuric acid1 #hj2 of phosphoric acid1 #adb4 8,an average sample of commercial bone dust10 continued the ,doctor1 8contains about #ej per cent of phosphate of lime4 ,if we take #fbj lbs4 of finely-ground bone-dust1 containing #caj lbs4 of three-lime phosphate1 and mix with it #afj lbs4 of sulphuric acid 7say #bdj lbs4 common oil of vitriol1 sp4 gr4 #a4g71 the sulphuric acid will unite with #aab lbs4 of lime1 and leave the #adb lbs4 of phosphoric acid united with the remaining #ef lbs4 of lime40 8,and that will give you10 said the ,deacon1 8#ghj lbs4 of #8dissolved bones1' or superphosphate of lime40 8,it will give you more than that10 said the ,doctor1 8because1 as ,i said before1 the two atoms of lime 7#aab lbs47 are replaced by two atoms 7#cf lbs47 of water4 ,and1 furthermore1 the two atoms of sulphate of lime produced1 contained two atoms 7#cf lbs47 of water4 ,the mixture1 therefore1 contains1 even when perfectly dry1 #gb lbs4 of water40 8,where does this water come from80 asked the ,deacon4 8,when ,i was at ,rothamsted10 said ,i1 8the superphosphate which ,mr4 ,lawes used in his experiments was made on the farm from animal charcoal1 or burnt bones1 ground as fine as possible--the finer the better4 ,we took #dj lbs4 of the meal1 and mixed it with #bj lbs4 of water1 and then poured on #cj lbs4 of common sulphuric acid 7sp4g4 #a4g71 and stirred it up rapidly and thoroughly1 and then threw it out of the vessel into a heap1 on the earth-floor in the barn4 ,then mixed another portion1 and so on1 until we had the desired quantity1 say two or three tons4 ,the last year ,i was at ,rothamsted1 we mixed #dj lbs4 bone-meal1 #cj lbs4 water1 and #cj lbs4 acid2 and we thought the additional water enabled us to mix the acid and meal together easier and better40 8,dr4 ,habirshaw tells me10 said the ,doctor1 8that in making the #8,rectified ,peruvian ,guano' no water is necessary1 and none is used4 ,the water in the guano and in the acid is sufficient to furnish the two atoms of water for the phosphate1 and the two atoms for the sulphate of lime40 8,such is undoubtedly the case10 said ,i1 8and when large quantities of superphosphate are made1 and the mixing is done by machinery1 it is not necessary to use water4 ,the advantage of using water is in the greater ease of mixing40 8,bone-dust10 said the ,doctor1 8contains about #f per cent of water1 and the sulphuric acid 7sp4g4 #a4g7 contains about one-third its weight of water4 ,so that1 if you take #fbj lbs4 of bone-dust1 and mix with it #bdj lbs4 of common sulphuric acid1 you have in the mixture #aag lbs4 of water1 which is #de lbs4 more than is needed to furnish the water of combination40 8,the superphosphate produced from #fbj lbs4 of bones1 therefore10 continued the ,doctor1 8would contain3 ,phosphoric acid #adb lbs4 ,lime acid phosphate #ef 0 ,water #cf 0 ,sulphuric acid #afj lbs4 ,lime sulphate of lime #aab 0 ,water #cf 0 ,organic matter1 ash1 etc41 of the bones99 #cce 0 -------- ,total dry superphosphate #hgg 0 ,moisture1 or loss #de 0 -------- ,total mixture #ibb lbs4 99 ,containing nitrogen1 #bc lbs4 8,there is a small quantity of carbonate of lime in the bones10 said ,i1 8which would take up a little of the acid1 and you will have a remarkably good article if you calculate that the #fbj lbs4 of bone-dust furnish you half a ton 7#a1jjj lbs47 of superphosphate4 ,it will be a better article than it is practically possible to make40 8,assuming that it made half a ton10 said the ,doctor1 8it would contain #ad per cent of soluble phosphoric acid1 and #b per cent of nitrogen40 8,with nitrogen at #bj cents per lb41 and soluble phosphoric acid at #ab c4 per lb41 this half ton of superphosphate1 made from #fbj lbs4 of good bone-dust1 would be worth #bb4ej1 or #de per ton40 8,or1 to look at it in another light10 continued the ,doctor1 8a ton of bone-dust1 made into such a superphosphate as we are talking about1 would be worth #gb4eh40 8,how much10 asked the ,deacon1 8would a ton of the bone-dust be considered worth before it was converted into superphosphate80 8,a ton of bone-dust10 replied the ,doctor1 8contains #gf lbs4 of nitrogen1 worth1 at #ah cents per lb41 #ac4fh1 and #dfd lbs4 phosphoric acid1 worth #g cents per lb41 #cb4dh4 ,in other words1 a ton of bone-dust1 at the usual estimate1 is worth #df4af40 8,and10 said the ,deacon1 8after it is converted into superphosphate1 the same ton of bones is worth #gb4eh4 ,it thus appears that you pay #bf4db per ton for simply making the phosphoric acid in a ton of bones soluble4 ,isn't it paying a little too much for the whistle80 8,possibly such is the case10 said ,i1 8and in point of fact1 ,i think bone-dust1 especially from steamed or boiled bones1 can be used with more economy in its natural state than in the form of superphosphate40 ,superphosphate can be made more economically from mineral phosphates than from bones--the nitrogen1 if desired1 being supplied from fish-scrap or from some other cheap source of nitrogen4 ,but for my own use ,i would prefer to buy a good article of superphosphate of lime1 containing no nitrogen1 provided it can be obtained cheap enough4 ,i would buy the ammoniacal1 or nitrogenous manure separately1 and do my own mixing--unless the mixture could be bought at a less cost than the same weight of soluble phosphoric acid1 and available nitrogen could be obtained separately4 ,a pure superphosphate--and by pure ,i mean a superphosphate containing no nitrogen--can be drilled in with the seed without injury1 but ,i should be a little afraid of drilling in some of the ammoniacal or nitrogenous superphosphates with small seeds4 ,and then1 again1 the 8nitrogen0 in a superphosphate mixture may be in the form of nitric acid1 or sulphate of ammonia1 in one case1 or1 in another case1 in the form of hair1 woollen rags1 hide1 or leather4 ,it is far more valuable as nitric acid or ammonia1 because it will act quicker1 and if ,i wanted hair1 woollen rags1 horn-shavings1 etc41 ,i would prefer to have them separate from the superphosphate4 ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,,special ,,manures4 ,twenty five to thirty years ago1 much was said in regard to special manures4 ,fertilizers were prepared for the different crops with special reference to the composition of the plants4 8,but it was known then1 as now10 said the ,doctor1 8that all our agricultural plants were composed of the same elements40 8,true1 but what was claimed was this3 ,some crops contain1 for instance1 more phosphoric acid than other crops1 and for these a manure rich in phosphoric acid was provided4 ,others contained a large proportion of potash1 and these were called #8potash crops1' and the manure prescribed for them was rich in potash4 ,and so with the other ingredients of plants40 8,i recollect it well10 said the ,doctor1 8and1 in truth1 for several years ,i had much faith in the idea4 ,it was advocated with consummate ability by the lamented ,liebig1 and in fact a patent was taken out by the ,musgraves1 of ,liverpool1 for the manufacture of ,liebig's ,special ,manures1 based on this theory4 ,but the manures1 though extensively used by the leading farmers of ,england1 and endorsed by the highest authorities1 did not in the end stand the test of actual farm practice1 and their manufacture was abandoned4 ,and ,i do not know of any experienced agricultural chemist who now advocates this doctrine of special manures4 8,dr4 ,vlcker says3 #8,the ash-analyses of plants do not afford a sufficiently trustworthy guide to the practical farmer in selecting the kind of manure which is best applied to each crop4'0 8,never mind the authorities10 said the ,deacon2 8what we want are facts40 8,well10 replied the ,doctor1 8take the wheat and turnip crop as an illustration4 8,we will suppose that there is twice the weight of wheat-straw as of grain2 and that to #aj tons of bulbs there is #c tons of turnip-tops4 ,now1 #ajj lbs4 each of the ash of these two crops contain3 ,wheat crop4 ,turnip crop4 ,phosphoric acid #aa4dd #g4cc ,potash #ae4dd #cb4ge ,sulphuric acid #b4dd #aa4be ,lime #e4ji #ai4bh ,magnesia #c4cc #a4ef 8,there are other ingredients10 continued the ,doctor1 8but these are the most important4 8,now1 if you were going to compound a manure for wheat1 say #ajj lbs41 consisting of potash and phosphoric acid1 what would be the proportions80 ,the ,deacon figured for a few moments1 and then produced the following table3 #ajj ,lbs4 ,special ,manure for ,wheat and ,turnips4 ,wheat manure4 ,turnip manure4 ,phosphoric acid #db lbs4 #ah lbs4 ,potash #eg 0 #ha 0 ------------ ------------ #ajj lbs4 #ajj lbs4 8,exactly10 said the ,doctor1 8and yet the experiments of ,lawes and ,gilbert clearly prove that a soil needs to be richer in available phosphoric acid1 to produce even a fair crop of turnips1 than to produce a large crop of wheat4 ,and the experience of farmers everywhere tends in the same direction4 ,england is the greatest turnip-growing country in the world1 and you will find that where one farmer applies potash to turnips1 or superphosphate to wheat1 a hundred farmers use superphosphate as a special manure for the turnip crop40 8,and we are certainly warranted in saying10 continued the ,doctor1 8that the composition of a plant affords1 in practical agriculture1 and on ordinary cultivated soils1 no sort of indication as to the composition of the manure it is best to apply to the crop40 8,again10 continued the ,doctor1 8if the theory was a correct one1 it would follow that those crops which contained the most nitrogen1 would require the most nitrogen in the manure4 ,beans1 peas1 and clover would require a soil or a manure richer in available nitrogen than wheat1 barley1 or oats4 ,we know that the very reverse is true--know it from actual1 and repeated1 and long-continued experiments like those of ,lawes and ,gilbert1 and from the common experience of farmers everywhere40 8,you need not get excited10 said the ,deacon1 8the theory is a very plausible one1 and while ,i cannot dispute your facts1 ,i must confess ,i cannot see why it is not reasonable to suppose that a plant which contains a large amount of nitrogen should not want a manure specially rich in nitrogen2 or why turnips which contain so much potash should not want a soil or manure specially rich in potash40 8,do you recollect10 said ,i1 8that crop of turnips ,i raised on a poor blowing-sand80 8,yes10 said the ,deacon1 8it was the best crop of turnips ,i ever saw grow40 8,that crop of turnips10 said ,i1 8was due to a dressing of superphosphate of lime1 with little or no potash in it40 8,i know all that10 said the ,deacon4 8,i admit the fact that superphosphate is a good manure for turnips4 ,what ,i want to know is the reason why superphosphate is better for turnips than for wheat80 8,many reasons might be given10 said the ,doctor2 8,prof4 ,vlcker attributes it to the limited feeding range of the roots of turnips1 as compared to wheat4 #8,the roots of wheat1' says ,prof4 ,vlcker1 #8as is well known1 penetrate the soil to a much greater depth than the more delicate feeding fibres of the roots of turnips4 ,wheat1 remaining on the ground two or three months longer than turnips1 can avail itself for a longer period of the resources of the soil2 therefore in most cases the phosphoric acid disseminated through the soil is amply sufficient to meet the requirements of the wheat crop2 whilst turnips1 depending on a thinner depth of soil during their shorter period of growth1 cannot assimilate sufficient phosphoric acid1 to come to perfection4' ,this is1 ,i believe1 the main reason why the direct supply of readily available phosphates is so beneficial to root-crops1 and not to wheat40 8,this reason10 said ,i1 8has never been entirely satisfactory to me4 ,if the roots of the turnip have such a limited range1 how are they able to get such a large amount of potash8 8,it is probable that the turnip1 containing such a large relative amount of potash and so little phosphoric acid1 has roots capable of absorbing potash from a very weak solution1 but not so in regard to phosphoric acid40 8,there is another way of looking at this matter10 said the ,doctor4 8,you must recollect that1 if turnips and wheat were growing in the same field1 both plants get their food from the same solution4 ,and instead of supposing that the wheat-plant has the power of taking up more phosphoric acid than the turnip-plant1 we may suppose that the turnip has the power of rejecting or excluding a portion of phosphoric acid4 ,it takes up no more potash than the wheat-plant1 but it takes less phosphoric acid40 ,but it is not necessary to speculate on this matter4 ,for the present we may accept the fact1 that the proportion of potash1 phosphoric acid1 and nitrogen in the crop is no indication of the proper proportion in which these ingredients should be applied to the soil for these crops in manure4 ,it may well be that we should use special manures for special crops2 but we must ascertain what these manures should be1 not from analyses of the crops to be grown1 but from experiment and experience4 ,so far as present facts throw light on this subject1 we should conclude that those crops which contain the least nitrogen are the most likely to be benefited by its artificial application2 and the crops containing the most phosphoric acid1 are the crops to which1 in ordinary practical agriculture1 it will be unprofitable to apply superphosphate of lime4 8,that10 said the ,doctor1 8may be stating the case a little too strong40 8,perhaps so10 said ,i1 8but you must recollect ,i am now speaking of practical agriculture4 ,if ,i wanted to raise a good crop of cabbage1 ,i should not think of consulting a chemical analysis of the cabbage4 ,if ,i set out cabbage on an acre of land1 which1 without manure1 would produce #af tons of cabbage1 does any one mean to tell me that if ,i put the amount of nitrogen1 phosphoric acid and potash which #aj tons of cabbage contain1 on an adjoining acre1 that it would produce an extra growth of #aj tons of cabbage4 ,i can not believe it4 ,the facts are all the other way4 ,plant growth is not such a simple matter as the advocates of this theory1 if there be any at this late day1 would have us believe40 ,,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,,value ,,of ,,fertilizers4 ,in #aheg1 ,prof4 ,s4 ,w4 ,johnson1 in his ,report to the ,connecticut ,agricultural ,society1 adopted the following valuation3 ,potash #d cents per lb4 ,phosphoric acid1 insoluble in water #d 0 0 0 0 0 soluble 0 0 #ab 0 0 0 ,nitrogen #ag 0 0 0 ,analyses of many of the leading commercial fertilizers at that time showed that1 when judged by this standard1 the price charged was far above their actual value4 ,in some cases1 manures selling for #fj per ton1 contained nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash worth only from #bj to #be per ton4 ,and one well-known manure1 which sold for #bh per ton1 was found to be worth only #b4cc per ton4 ,a ,bone ,fertilizer selling at #ej per ton1 was worth less than #ad per ton4 8,in #aheb10 said the ,doctor1 8superphosphate of lime was manufactured by the ,new ,jersey ,zinc ,co41 and sold in ,new ,york at #ej per ton of #b1jjj lbs4 ,at the same time1 superphosphate of lime made from ,coprolites1 was selling in ,england for #bd per ton of #b1bdj lbs4 ,the late ,prof4 ,mapes commenced making 8,improved ,superphosphate of ,lime10 at ,newark1 ,n4,j41 in #aheb1 and ,mr4 ,de ,burg1 the same year1 made a plain superphosphate of lime in ,brooklyn1 ,n4,y4 ,the price1 in proportion to value1 was high1 and1 in fact1 the same may be said of many of our superphosphate manures1 until within the last few years40 ,notwithstanding the comparatively high price1 and the uncertain quality of these commercial manures1 the demand has been steadily on the increase4 ,we have now many honorable and intelligent men engaged in the manufacture and sale of these artificial manures1 and owing to more definite knowledge on the part of the manufacturers and of the purchasers1 it is not a difficult matter to find manures well worth the money asked for them4 8,a correct analysis10 said ,i1 8furnishes the only sure test of value4 #8,testimonials' from farmers and others are pre-eminently unreliable4 ,with over thirty years' experience in the use of these fertilizers1 ,i would place far more confidence on a good and reliable analysis than on any actual trial ,i could make in the field4 ,testimonials to a patent fertilizer are about as reliable as testimonials to a patent-medicine4 ,in buying a manure1 we want to know what it contains1 and the condition of the constituents40 ,in #ahgg1 ,prof4 ,s4 ,w4 ,johnson gives the following figures1 showing 8the trade-values1 or cost in market1 per pound1 of the ordinary occurring forms of nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 as recently found in the ,new ,york and ,new ,england markets3 ,cents per pound4 ,nitrogen in ammonia and nitrates #bd 0 in ,peruvian ,guano1 fine steamed bone1 dried and fine ground blood1 meat1 and fish #bj 0 in fine ground bone1 horn1 and wool-dust #ah 0 in coarse bone1 horn-shavings1 and fish-scrap #ae ,phosphoric acid soluble in water #ab 0 0 8reverted10 and in ,peruvian ,guano #i 0 0 insoluble1 in fine bone and fish guano #g 0 0 0 in coarse bone1 bone-ash1 and bone-black #e 0 0 0 in fine ground rock phosphate #c ,potash in high-grade sulphate #i 0 in kainit1 as sulphate #g 0 in muriate1 or potassium chloride #f 8,these #8estimated values1'0 says ,prof4 ,johnson1 8are not fixed1 but vary with the state of the market1 and are from time to time subject to revision4 ,they are not exact to the cent or its fractions1 because the same article sells cheaper at commercial or manufacturing centers than in country towns1 cheaper in large lots than in small1 cheaper for cash than on time4 ,these values are high enough to do no injustice to the dealer1 and accurate enough to serve the object of the consumer4 8,by multiplying the per cent of ,nitrogen1 etc41 by the trade-value per pound1 and then by #bj1 we get the value per ton of the several ingredients1 and adding the latter together1 we obtain the total estimated value per ton4 8,the uses of the #8,valuation' are1 #ast1 to show whether a given lot or brand of fertilizer is worth as a commodity of trade what it costs4 ,if the selling price is no higher than the estimated value1 the purchaser may he quite sure that the price is reasonable4 ,if the selling price is but #b to #c per ton more than the estimated value1 it may still be a fair price1 but if the cost per ton is #e or more over the estimated value1 it would be well to look further4 #b;d1 ,comparisons of the estimated values1 and selling prices of a number of fertilizers will generally indicate fairly which is the best for the money4 ,but the #8estimated value' is not to be too literally construed1 for analysis cannot always decide accurately what is the form of nitrogen1 etc41 while the mechanical condition of a fertilizer is an item whose influence cannot always be rightly expressed or appreciated4 8,the ,agricultural value of a fertilizer is measured by the benefit received from its use1 and depends upon its fertilizing effect1 or crop-producing power4 ,as a broad general rule it is true that ,peruvian guano1 superphosphates1 fish-scraps1 dried blood1 potash salts1 plaster1 etc41 have a high agricultural value which is related to their trade-value1 and to a degree determines the latter value4 ,but the rule has many exceptions1 and in particular instances the trade-value cannot always be expected to fix or even to indicate the agricultural value4 ,fertilizing effect depends largely upon soil1 crop1 and weather1 and as these vary from place to place1 and from year to year1 it cannot be foretold or estimated except by the results of past experience1 and then only in a general and probable manner40 8,it will be seen10 said the ,doctor1 8that ,prof4 ,johnson places a higher value on potash now than he did #bj years ago4 ,he retains the same figures for soluble phosphoric acid1 and makes a very just and proper discrimination between the different values of different forms of nitrogen and phosphoric acid40 8,the prices10 said ,i1 8are full as high as farmers can afford to pay4 ,but there is not much probability that we shall see them permanently reduced4 ,the tendency is in the other direction4 ,in a public address ,mr4 ,j4 ,b4 ,lawes has recently remarked3 #8,a future generation of ,british farmers will doubtless hear with some surprise that1 at the close of the manure season of #ahgf1 there were #dj1jjj tons of nitrate of soda in our docks1 which could not find purchasers1 although the price did not exceed #ab or #ac per ton4'0 8,he evidently thinks10 said the ,doctor1 8that available nitrogen is cheaper now than it will be in years to come40 8,nitrate of soda10 said ,i1 8at the prices named1 is only #b to #b cents per lb41 and the nitrogen it contains would cost less than #ah cents per lb41 instead of #bd cents1 as given by ,prof4 ,johnson40 8,no4 #a ,peruvian ,guano1 #8guaranteed1' is now sold10 said the ,doctor1 8at a price per ton1 to be determined by its composition1 at the following rates3 ,value per pound4 ,nitrogen 7ammonia1 #ag c47 #ba c4 ,soluble phosphoric acid #aj c4 ,reverted 0 0 #h c4 ,insoluble 0 0 #b c4 ,potash1 as sulphate and phosphate #g c4 8,the first cargo of ,peruvian guano1 sold under this guarantee1 contained3 ,value per ton4 ,ammonia #f4h per cent #bc4hj ,soluble phosphoric acid #c4h 0 0 #g4fj ,reverted 0 0 #aa4e 0 0 #ah4dj ,insoluble 0 0 #c4j 0 0 #a4bj ,potash #c4g 0 0 #e4ee ------ ,estimated retail price per ton of #b1jjj lbs4 #ef4ee ,marked on bags for sale #ef4jj ,the second cargo1 sold under this guarantee1 contained3 ,value per ton4 ,ammonia #aa4e per cent #dj4ej ,soluble phosphoric acid #e4d 0 0 #aj4hj ,reverted 0 0 #aj4j 0 0 #af4jj ,insoluble 0 0 #a4g 0 0 4#fh ,potash #b4c 0 0 #c4de ------ #ga4dc ,selling price marked on bags #gj4jj 8,it is interesting10 said ,i1 8to compare these analyses of ,peruvian guano of to-day1 with ,peruvian guano brought to ,england twenty-nine or thirty years ago4 ,i saw at ,rothamsted thirty years ago a bag of guano that contained #bb per cent of ammonia4 ,and farmers could then buy guano guaranteed by the dealers 7not by the agents of the ,peruvian ,government71 to contain #af per cent of ammonia1 and #aj per cent of phosphoric acid4 ,price1 #i #es4 per ton of #b1bdj lbs4--say #dj per ton of #b1jjj lbs4 ,the average composition of thirty-two cargoes of guano imported into ,england in #ahdi was as follows3 ,ammonia #ag4da per cent4 ,phosphoric acid #i4ge 0 0 ,alkaline salts #h4ge 0 0 ,at the present valuation1 adopted by the ,agents of the ,peruvian guano in ,new ,york1 and estimating that #e per cent of the phosphoric acid was soluble1 and #d per cent reverted1 and that there was #b lbs4 of potash in the alkaline salts1 this guano would be worth3 ,value per ton of #b1jjj lbs4 ,ammonia #ag4da per cent #fj4ic ,soluble phosphoric acid #e4jj 0 0 #aj4jj ,reverted 0 0 #d4jj 0 0 #f4dj ,insoluble 0 0 4#ge 0 0 4#cj ,potash #b4jj 0 0 #c4jj ------- #hj4fc ,selling price per ton of #b1jjj lbs4 #dj4jj ,ichaboe guano1 which was largely imported into ,england in #ahdd-e1 and used extensively as a manure for turnips1 contained1 on the average1 #g per cent of ammonia1 and #ad per cent of phosphoric acid4 ,its value at the present rates we may estimate as follows3 ,ammonia1 #g per cent #bf4be ,soluble ,phosphoric acid1 #d per cent #h4jj ,reverted 0 0 #aj 0 #af4jj ------ #ej4be ,selling price per ton of #b1jjj lbs4 #ba4hj ,the potash is not given1 or this would probably add four or five dollars to its estimated value4 8,all of which goes to show10 said the ,deacon1 8that the ,peruvian ,government is asking1 in proportion to value1 from two to two and a half times as much for guano as was charged twenty-five or thirty years ago4 ,that first cargo of guano1 sold in ,new ,york under the new guarantee1 in #ahgg1 for #ef per ton1 is worth no more than the ,ichaboe guano sold in ,england in #ahde1 for less than #bb per ton6 8,and furthermore10 continued the ,deacon1 8from all that ,i can learn1 the guano of the present day is not only far poorer in nitrogen than it was formerly1 but the nitrogen is not as soluble1 and consequently not so valuable1 pound for pound4 ,much of the guano of the present day bears about the same relation to genuine old-fashioned guano1 as leached ashes do to unleached1 or as a ton of manure that has been leached in the barn-yard does to a ton that has been kept under cover40 8,true1 to a certain extent10 said the ,doctor1 8but you must recollect that this #8guaranteed' guano is now sold by analysis4 ,you pay for what you get and no more40 8,exactly10 said the ,deacon1 8but what you get is not so good4 ,a pound of nitrogen in the leached guano is not as available or as valuable as a pound of nitrogen in the unleached guano4 ,and this fact ought to be understood40 8,one thing10 said ,i1 8seems clear4 ,the ,peruvian ,government is charging a considerably higher price for guano1 in proportion to its actual value1 than was charged #bj or #be years ago4 ,it may be1 that the guano is still the cheapest manure in the market1 but at any rate the price is higher than formerly--while there has been no corresponding advance in the price of produce in the markets of the world40 ,,potash ,,as ,a ,,manure4 ,on land where fish1 fish-scrap1 or guano1 has been used freely for some years1 and the crops exported from the farm1 we may expect a relative deficiency of potash in the soil4 ,in such a case1 an application of unleached ashes or potash-salts will be likely to produce a decided benefit4 ,clay or loamy land is usually richer in potash than soils of a more sandy or gravelly character4 ,and on poor sandy land1 the use of fish or of guano1 if the crops are all sold1 will be soon likely to prove of little benefit owing to a deficiency of potash in the soil4 ,they may produce good crops for a few years1 but the larger the crops produced and sold1 the more would the soil become deficient in potash4 ,we have given the particulars of ,lawes and ,gilbert's experiments on barley4 ,mr4 ,lawes at a late meeting in ,london1 stated that 8he had grown #be crops of barley one after the other with nitrogen1 either as ammonia or nitrate of soda1 but without potash1 and that by the use of potash they had produced practically no better result4 ,this year 7#ahgg71 for the first time1 the potash had failed a little1 and they had now produced #aj or #ab bushels more per acre with potash than without1 showing that they were coming to the end of the available potash in the soil4 ,this year 7#ahgg71 they obtained #ed bushels of barley with potash1 and #db bushels without it4 ,of course1 this was to be expected1 and they had expected it much sooner4 ,the same with wheat2 he expected the end would come in a few years1 but they had now gone on between #cj and #dj years4 ,when the end came they would not be sorry1 because then they would have the knowledge they were seeking for40 ,dr4 ,vlcker1 at the same meeting remarked3 8,many soils contained from #a to #b per cent of available potash1 and a still larger quantity locked up1 in the shape of minerals1 which only gradually came into play2 but the quantity of potash carried off in crops did not exceed #b cwt4 per acre1 if so much4 ,now #j4a per cent of any constituent1 calculated on a depth of six inches1 was equivalent to one ton per acre4 ,therefore1 if a soil contained only #j4a per cent of potash1 a ton of potash might be carried off from a depth of #f inches4 ,but you had not only #j4a per cent1 but something like #a per cent and upwards in many soils4 ,it is quite true there were many soils from which you could not continuously take crops without restoring the potash40 8,in all of which10 said the ,doctor1 8there is nothing new4 ,it does not help us to determine whether potash is or is not deficient in our soil40 8,that10 said ,i1 8can be ascertained only by actual experiment4 ,put a little hen-manure on a row of corn1 and on another row a little hen-manure and ashes1 and on another row1 ashes alone1 and leave one row without anything4 ,on my farm ,i am satisfied that we need not buy potash-salts for manure4 ,i do not say they would do no good1 for they may do good on land not deficient in available potash1 just as lime will do good on land containing large quantities of lime4 ,but potash is not what my land needs to make it produce maximum crops4 ,it needs available nitrogen1 and possibly soluble phosphoric acid40 ,the system of farming adopted in this section1 is much more likely to impoverish the soil of nitrogen and phosphoric acid than of potash4 ,if a soil is deficient in potash1 the crop which will first indicate the deficiency1 will probably be clover1 or beans4 ,farmers who can grow large crops of red-clover1 need not buy potash for manure4 ,on farms where grain is largely raised and sold1 and where the straw1 and corn-stalks1 and hay1 and the hay from clover-seed are retained on the farm1 and this strawy manure returned to the land1 the soil will become poor from the lack of nitrogen and phosphoric acid long before there would be any need of an artificial supply of potash4 ,on the other hand1 if farmers should use fish1 or guano1 or superphosphate1 or nitrate of soda1 and sell all the hay1 and straw1 and potatoes1 and root-crops1 they could raise1 many of our sandy soils would soon become poor in available potash4 ,but even in this case the clover and beans would show the deficiency sooner than wheat or even potatoes4 8,and yet we are told10 said the ,deacon1 8that potatoes contain no end of potash40 8,and the same is true10 said ,i1 8of root-crops1 such as mangel-wurzel1 turnips1 etc41 but the fact has no other significance than this3 ,if you grow potatoes for many years on the same land and manure them with nitrogenous manures1 the soil is likely to be speedily impoverished of potash40 8,but suppose10 said the ,deacon1 8that you grow potatoes on the same land without manure of any kind1 would not the soil become equally poor in potash80 8,no10 said ,i1 8because you would1 in such a case1 get very small crops--small1 not from lack of potash1 but from lack of nitrogen4 ,if ,i had land which had grown corn1 potatoes1 wheat1 oats1 and hay1 for many years without manure1 or an occasional dressing of our common barnyard-manure1 and wanted it to produce a good crop of potatoes1 ,i should not expect to get it by simply applying potash4 ,the soil might be poor in potash1 but it is almost certain to be still poorer in nitrogen and phosphoric acid40 ,land that has been manured with farm-yard or stable-manure for years1 no matter how it has been cropped1 is not likely to need potash4 ,the manure is richer in potash than in nitrogen and phosphoric acid4 ,and the same may be said of the soil4 ,if a farmer uses nitrogenous and phosphatic manures on his clayey or loamy land that is usually relatively rich in potash1 and will apply his common manure to the sandy parts of the farm1 he will rarely need to purchase manures containing potash4 ,,chapter ,,xl4 ,,restoring ,,fertility ,,to ,,the ,,soil4 ,by ,sir ,j4 ,b4 ,lawes1 ,bart41 ,,ll4,d41 ,f4,r4,s41 ,rothamsted1 ,eng4 ,a relation of mine1 who already possessed a very considerable estate1 consisting of light land1 about twenty years ago purchased a large property adjoining it at a very high price4 ,these were days when farmers were flourishing1 and they no more anticipated what was in store for them in the future1 than the inhabitants of the earth in the days of ,noah4 ,times have changed since then1 and bad seasons1 low prices of wheat1 and cattle-disease1 have swept off the tenants from these two estates1 so that my relation finds himself now in the position of being the unhappy owner and occupier of five or six farms1 extending over several thousand acres--one farm alone occupying an area of two thousand four hundred acres4 ,fortunately for the owner1 he possesses town property in addition to his landed estates1 so that the question with him is not1 as it is with many land owners1 how to find the necessary capital to cultivate the land1 but1 having found the capital1 how to expend it in farming1 so as to produce a proper return4 ,it is not very surprising that1 under these circumstances1 my opinion should have been asked4 ,what1 indeed1 would have been the use of a relation1 who not only spent all his time in agricultural experiments1 but also pretended to teach our neighbors how to farm on the other side of the ,atlantic1 if he could not bring his science to bear on the land of an adjoining county6 ,here is the land--my relation might naturally say--here is the money1 and ,i have so much confidence in your capacity that ,i will give you carte-blanche to spend as much as you please--what am ,i to do8 ,an inspection of the property brought out the following facts--that all the land was very light1 and that you might walk over the fresh plowed surface in the wettest weather without any clay sticking to your boots3 still a portion of the soil was dark in color1 and therefore probably contained a sufficient amount of fertility to make cultivation profitable1 provided the management could be conducted with that care and economy which are absolute essentials in a business where the expenditure is always pressing closely upon the income4 ,upon land of this description meat-making is the backbone of the system1 which must be adopted1 and a large breeding flock of sheep the first essential towards success4 ,science can make very little improvement upon the four-course rotation--roots1 barley1 clover1 and wheat1 unless1 perhaps1 it may be by keeping the land in clover1 or mixed grass and clover1 for two or three years4 ,a good deal of the land ,i was inspecting was so light1 that1 in fact1 it was hardly more than sand1 and for some years it had been left to grow anything that came up1 undisturbed by the plow4 ,to a practised eye1 the character of the natural vegetation is a sure indication of the fertility of the soil4 ,where herds of buffaloes are to be seen--their sides shaking with fat--it is quite evident that the pastures upon which they feed cannot be very bad2 and in the same way1 where a rank growth of weeds is found springing up upon land that has been abandoned1 it may be taken for certain that the elements of food exist in the soil4 ,this ground was covered with vegetation1 but of the most impoverished description1 even the 8,quack0 or 8,couch-grass0 could not form a regular carpet1 but grew in small1 detached bunches2 everything1 in fact1 bore evidence of poverty4 ,possibly1 the first idea which might occur to any one1 on seeing land in this state1 might be3 ,why not grow the crops by the aid of artificial manures8 ,let us look at the question from two points of view3 first1 in regard to the cost of the ingredients2 and1 secondly1 in regard to the growth of the crop4 ,we will begin with wheat4 ,a crop of wheat1 machine-reaped1 contains1 as carted to the stack1 about six pounds of soil ingredients in every one hundred pounds2 that is to say1 each five pounds of mineral matter1 and rather less than one pound of nitrogen1 which the plant takes from the soil1 will enable it to obtain ninety-four pounds of other substances from the atmosphere4 ,to grow a crop of twenty bushels of grain and two thousand pounds of straw1 would require one hundred and sixty pounds of minerals1 and about thirty-two pounds of nitrogen2 of the one hundred and sixty pounds of minerals1 one-half would be silica1 of which the soil possesses already more than enough2 the remainder1 consisting of about eighty pounds of potash and phosphate1 could be furnished for from three to four dollars1 and the thirty-two pounds of nitrogen could be purchased in nitrate of soda for six or eight dollars4 ,the actual cost of the ingredients1 therefore1 in the crop of twenty bushels of wheat1 would be about ten to twelve dollars4 ,but as this manure would furnish the ingredients for the growth of both straw and grain1 and it is customary to return the straw to the land1 after the first crop1 fully one-third of the cost of the manure might1 in consequence1 be deducted1 which would make the ingredients of the twenty bushels amount to six dollars4 ,twenty bushels of wheat in ,england would sell for twenty-eight dollars2 therefore1 there would be twenty-two dollars left for the cost of cultivation and profit4 ,a ,french writer on scientific agriculture has employed figures very similar to the above1 to show how ,french farmers may grow wheat at less than one dollar per bushel4 ,at this price they might certainly defy the competition of the ,united ,states4 ,it is one thing1 however1 to grow crops in a lecture room1 and quite another to grow them in a field4 ,in dealing with artificial manures1 furnishing phosphoric acid1 potash1 and nitrogen1 we have substances which act upon the soil in very different ways4 ,phosphate of lime is a very insoluble substance1 and requires an enormous amount of water to dissolve it4 ,salts of potash1 on the other hand1 are very soluble in water1 but form very insoluble compounds with the soil4 ,salts of ammonia and nitrate of soda are perfectly soluble in water4 ,when applied to the land1 the ammonia of the former substance forms an insoluble compound with the soil1 but in a very short time is converted into nitrate of lime2 and with this salt and nitrate of soda1 remains in solution in the soil water until they are either taken up by the plant or are washed away into the drains or rivers4 ,crops evaporate a very large amount of water1 and with this water they attract the soluble nitrate from all parts of the soil4 ,very favorable seasons are therefore those in which the soil is neither too dry nor too wet2 as in one case the solution of nitrate becomes dried up in the soil1 in the other it is either washed away1 or the soil remains so wet that the plant cannot evaporate the water sufficiently to draw up the nitrates which it contains4 ,the amount of potash and phosphoric acid dissolved in the water is far too small to supply the requirements of the plant1 and it is probable that what is required for this purpose is dissolved by some direct action of the roots of the plant on coming in contact with the insoluble phosphoric acid and potash in the soil4 ,in support of this view1 ,i may mention that we have clear evidence in some of our experiments of the wheat crop taking up both phosphates and potash that were applied to the land thirty years ago4 ,to suppose1 therefore1 that1 if the ingredients which exist in twenty bushels of wheat and its straw1 are simply applied to a barren soil1 the crop will be able to come in contact with1 and take up these substances1 is to assume what certainly will not take place4 ,i have often expressed an opinion that arable land1 could not be cultivated profitably by means of artificial manures1 unless the soil was capable of producing1 from its own resources1 a considerable amount of produce2 still the question had never up to this time come before me in a distinct form as one upon which ,i had to decide one way or the other4 ,i had1 however1 no hesitation in coming to the conclusion1 that grain crops could never be grown at a profit upon my relation's land1 and that consequently1 for some years1 it would be better to give up the attempt1 and try to improve the pasture4 ,after what ,i have said about the insolubility of potash and phosphoric acid1 it may possibly be asked--why not give a good dose of these substances at once1 as they do not wash out of the soil--say enough to grow sixty crops of grain1 and apply the nitrate1 or ammonia every year in just sufficient amounts to supply the wants of the crop8 ,the objections to this plan are as follows3 assuming the most favorable conditions of climate1 and the largest possible produce1 the wheat could certainly not take up the whole of the thirty-two pounds of nitrogen applied1 and the crop which requires nearly one pound of nitrogen in every one hundred pounds of gross produce1 would be certainly less than three thousand two hundred pounds1 if supplied with only thirty-two pounds of nitrogen4 ,if we take the total produce of the best and worst wheat crop1 grown during the forty years of our experiments1 we shall arrive at a better understanding in the matter4 ,the following are the figures3 ,weight of ,dry ,produce of ,wheat ,per ,acre4 ,straw and ,grain4 #ahfc #iccj lbs4 #ahgi #chei 0 ,in order to ascertain the increase due to the nitrogen of the salts of ammonia or nitrate of soda1 we must deduct from the crop the produce obtained1 where mineral manures without nitrogen were used4 ,in #ahfc this amount was three thousand pounds1 and in #ahgi it was one thousand two hundred pounds4 ,deducting these amounts from the gross produce in each case1 leaves six thousand three hundred and thirty as the produce due to the nitrogen in the season of #ahfc1 and two thousand six hundred and fifty-nine as the produce due to the nitrogen in #ahgi4 ,but in each case we applied the same amount of nitrogen1 eighty-seven pounds2 and as the amount of nitrogen in a wheat crop1 as carted from the field1 contains less than one per cent4 of nitrogen1 it is evident that if all that was contained in the manure had been taken up by the plant1 the increased crop should have weighed eight thousand seven hundred pounds instead of six thousand three hundred and thirty4 ,thus even in our best year1 some of the nitrogen applied failed to produce growth2 and when we come to the bad year we find that only twenty-six and a half pounds were taken up out of the eighty-seven pounds applied1 thus leaving more than two-thirds of the whole unaccounted for4 ,seasons are only occasionally either very bad or very good4 ,what we call an average season does not differ very much from the mean of the best and worst years1 which in this case would be represented by a crop of four thousand four hundred and ninety-four pounds1 containing nearly forty-five pounds of nitrogen4 ,i may say that1 although ,i have employed one per cent4 to avoid fractions in my calculations1 strictly speaking three-quarters of a per cent4 would more nearly represent the real quantity4 ,if1 however1 on the average1 we only obtain about forty-five pounds from an application of about eighty-seven pounds of nitrogen1 it is evident that not more than one-half of the amount applied enters into the crop4 ,now in dealing with a substance of so costly a nature as ammonia1 or nitrate of soda--the nitrogen contained in which substances cannot cost much less than twenty-five cents per pound by the time it is spread upon the land1 it becomes a question of importance to know what becomes of the other half1 or the residue whatever it may be1 which has not been taken up by the crop4 ,part is undoubtedly taken up by the weeds which grow with the wheat1 and after the wheat has been cut4 ,part sinks into the sub-soil and is washed completely away during the winter4 ,i1 myself1 am disposed to think that the very great difference in the size of the ,indian corn crops1 as compared with the wheat crops in the ,states1 is partly accounted for by their greater freedom from weeds1 which are large consumers of nitric acid1 and1 in the case of the wheat crop1 frequently reduce the yield by several bushels per acre4 ,it must1 however1 be borne in mind that1 though the wheat is robbed of its food where there are weeds1 still if there were no weeds1 the amount of nitric acid which the crop could not get hold of1 would1 in all probability1 be washed out of the soil during the ensuing winter4 ,i come to the conclusion1 therefore1 that the nitrogen alone1 which would be required to produce one bushel of wheat1 would cost not much less than fifty cents2 and that1 in consequence1 wheat-growing by means of artificial manures1 will not pay upon very poor land4 ,i have said that the land1 about which ,i was consulted1 had not been plowed for several years1 and that although nature had done all she could to clothe the soil with vegetation1 the most disheartening feature in the case was1 the poverty of the weeds4 ,a thistle may be a giant or a dwarf1 according to circumstances2 here they were all dwarfs4 ,the plaintain1 which ,i believe is sometimes sown in these districts for food1 has a very deep root2 here the plants were abundant1 but the leaves were very small and lay so close to the ground1 that1 as the manager informed me1 8the sheep were often injured from the amount of sand which they swallowed with the leaves when feeding40 ,at ,rothamsted1 the analyses of the rain water passing through the ordinary soil of one of my fields1 which has been kept free from vegetation1 have shown that the amount of nitric acid liberated in a soil1 and washed out each year1 is very large4 ,taking the ten years during which these special experiments have been in progress1 ,i should think that the loss of nitrogen would be equal to1 or possibly exceed1 the amount of that substance removed by the average crops grown in the ,united ,states4 ,the results obtained by the rain gauges1 are further completely confirmed by those in an adjoining field1 where wheat and fallow have been grown alternately for twenty-seven years4 ,the liberation of nitric acid1 during the year of rest1 produced for a time a large growth of wheat1 but it was done at a very great waste of the fertility of the soil1 and the produce is now1 in proportion1 considerably lower than that grown on the continuously unmanured land4 ,these results1 if they are to be accepted as correct1 must bring about a very considerable change in the generally received views in regard to fertility4 ,we not only see more clearly the connection between a former vegetation and the stored up fertility in our soil1 but we also see the importance of vegetation at the present day1 as the only means by which the loss of nitric acid is prevented4 ,the more completely the land is covered with vegetation1 and the more growth there is1 the greater will be the evaporation of water1 and the less will be the loss of nitric acid by drainage4 ,i was not at all surprised to find1 that the surface soil of a wood on my farm1 was poorer in nitrogen than the soil of an old permanent pasture1 to which no manure had been applied for twenty-five years1 though during the whole period1 the crop of hay had been removed every year from the land4 ,the wood to which ,i refer is covered with oak1 centuries old1 and the foliage is so dense that but little underwood or other vegetation can grow beneath it4 ,if both the wood and the pasture were put into arable cultivation1 ,i have no doubt that the pasture would prove much more fertile than the wood land4 ,in our experiments on permanent pasture1 it has been observed that the character of the herbage is mainly dependent on the food supplied4 ,weeds1 and inferior grasses1 can hold their own as long as poverty exists1 but with a liberal supply of manure1 the superior grasses overgrow and drive out the bad grasses and weeds4 ,in consequence of the low price of wheat a good deal of land in ,england has been laid down to permanent pasture1 and much money has been spent in cleaning the land preparatory to sowing the grass-seeds4 ,i have on more occasions than one1 suggested that the money employed in this process would be better expended in manure1 by which the weeds would be 8improved0 off the face of the land4 ,while walking over the abandoned portion of these estates ,i explained my views upon this point to the manager4 ,they were1 however1 received with the usual skepticism1 and the rejoinder that 8there was only one way of getting rid of the weeds1 which was by the plow and fire40 ,there is nothing that speaks to me so forcibly as color in vegetation2 when travelling by rail1 ,i do not require to be told that such a farm is1 or is not1 in high condition1 or that we are passing through a fertile or infertile district4 ,there is a peculiar green color in vegetation which is an unmistakable sign that it is living upon the fat of the land4 ,i need hardly say that1 in this case1 the color of the vegetation gave unmistakable signs of the poverty of the soil2 but in the midst of the dingy yellowish-green of the herbage1 ,i came upon one square of bright green grass4 ,in answer to my enquiry ,i was told that1 a 8lambing-fold had been there last year10 and my informant added his opinion1 8that the manure would be so strong that it would kill anything60 ,it had certainly killed the weeds1 but in their place1 some good grasses had taken possession of the soil4 ,the plan ,i proposed to adopt was1 to spend no more money on tillage operations1 but to endeavor to improve the pasture by giving to it the food necessary to grow good grasses1 sowing at the same time a small quantity of the best seeds4 ,i further suggested that a flock of sheep should be allowed to run over the whole of the land by day1 and be folded there every night--about one pound of cotton-seed cake per head being allowed daily4 ,by this means1 as the fold would be moved every day1 the amount of manure deposited on the soil could be estimated4 ,if there were a hundred sheep1 receiving one pound of decorticated cotton-seed cake per head1 daily1 and the hurdles were arranged to enclose a space of twenty-five by twenty yards1 in the course of ten days an acre of land would have received manure from one thousand pounds of cake2 which amount would supply seventy-seven pounds of nitrogen1 sixty-eight pounds of phosphate of lime1 and thirty-two pounds of potash4 ,this amount of cake would cost about sixteen dollars4 ,as regards the value of the cake as a food1 it is somewhat difficult to form an estimate2 but it takes nine or ten pounds of dry food--say roots1 cake1 and hay--to produce an increase of one pound of live weight in sheep4 ,the cake has certainly a higher feeding value1 than either hay or roots1 but ,i will here give it only the same value1 and consider that one hundred and ten pounds of increase of the animal was obtained by the consumption of the one thousand pounds of cake4 ,the value of the increase of the live weight would be in ,england fully eleven dollars1 leaving five dollars as the cost of the manure4 ,now the cake furnished seventy-seven pounds of nitrogen alone1 which1 if purchased in an artificial manure1 would have cost nineteen dollars2 and the other substances supplied by the cake1 would have cost from four to five dollars more4 ,the manures required1 therefore1 would be obtained much more cheaply by this than by any other process4 ,labor would be saved by not cultivating the land4 ,manure would be saved by substituting vegetation which grows under or above ground1 almost all the year round4 ,and1 by feeding the stock with cake1 the necessary fertility would be obtained at the lowest possible cost4 ,it is probable that the land would require this treatment to be repeated for several years1 before there would be a fair growth of grass4 ,the land might then be broken up and one grain crop be taken1 then it might again be laid down to grass4 ,hitherto1 ,i have considered a case where fertility is almost absent from the land1 this1 however1 is an exception1 as agriculture generally is carried on upon soils which contain large stores of fertility1 though they may be very unequally distributed4 ,by analysis of the soil we can measure the total amount of fertility which it contains1 but we are left in ignorance in regard to the amount of the ingredients which are in such a form that the crops we cultivate can make use of them4 ,at ,rothamsted1 among my experiments on the growth of continuous wheat1 at the end of forty years1 the soil supplied with salts of ammonia has yielded1 during the whole time1 and still continues to yield1 a larger produce than is obtained by a liberal supply of phosphates and alkaline salts without ammonia4 ,when we consider that every one hundred pounds of wheat crop1 as carted to the stack1 contains about five per cent4 of mineral matter1 and one per cent4 of nitrogen1 it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that my soil has a large available balance of mineral substances which the crop could not make use of for want of nitrogen4 ,the crop which has received these mineral manures now amounts to from twelve to thirteen bushels per acre1 and removes from the land about sixteen pounds of nitrogen every year4 ,analyses of the soil show that1 even after the removal of more than thirty crops in succession1 without any application of manure containing ammonia1 the soil still contains some thousands of pounds of nitrogen4 ,this nitrogen is in combination with carbon2 it is very insoluble in water1 and until it becomes separated from the carbon1 and enters into combination with oxygen1 does not appear to be of any use to the crop4 ,the combination of nitrogen with oxygen1 is known as nitric acid4 ,the nitric acid enters into combination with the lime of the soil1 and in this form becomes the food of plants4 ,from its great importance in regard to the growth of plants1 nitric acid might be called the main spring of agriculture1 but being perfectly soluble in water1 it is constantly liable to be washed out of the soil4 ,in the experiment to which ,i have referred above--where wheat is grown by mineral manures alone--we estimate that1 of the amount of nitric acid liberated each year1 not much more than one-half is taken up by the crop4 ,the wheat is ripe in ,july1 at which time the land is tolerably free from weeds2 several months1 therefore1 occur during which there is no vegetation to take up the nitric acid2 and even when the wheat is sown at the end of ,october1 much nitric acid is liable to be washed away1 as the power of the plant to take up food from the soil is very limited until the spring4 ,the formation of nitric acid1 from the organic nitrogen in the soil1 is due to the action of a minute plant1 and goes on quite independent of the growth of our crops4 ,we get1 however1 in the fact an explanation of the extremely different results obtained by the use of different manures4 ,one farmer applies lime1 or even ground limestone to a soil1 and obtains an increase in his crops2 probably he has supplied the very substance which has enabled the nitrification of the organic nitrogen to increase2 another applies potash1 a third phosphates2 if either of these are absent1 the crops cannot make use of the nitric acid1 however great may be the amount diffused through the soil4 ,it may possibly be said that the use of mineral manures tends to exhaust the soil of its nitrogen2 this may1 or may not1 be true2 but even if the minerals enable the crop to take up a larger amount of the nitric acid found in the soil year by year1 this does not increase the exhaustion1 as the minerals only tend to arrest that which otherwise might be washed away4 ,we must look upon the organic nitrogen in the soil1 as the main source of the nitrogen which grows our crops4 ,whatever may be the amount derived from the atmosphere1 whether in rain1 or dew2 or from condensation by the soil1 or plants1 it is probable that1 where the land is in arable cultivation1 the nitrogen so obtained1 is less than the amount washed out of the soil in nitric acid4 ,upon land which is never stirred by the plow1 there is much less waste and much less activity4 ,the large increase in the area of land laid down to permanent pasture in ,england1 is not due alone to the fall in the price of grain4 ,the reduction of fertility in many of the soils1 which have been long under the plow1 is beginning to be apparent4 ,under these circumstances a less exhausting course of treatment becomes necessary1 and pasture1 with the production of meat1 milk1 and butter1 takes the place of grain fields4 ,,appendix4 ,letter from ,edward ,jessop1 ,york1 ,pa4 ,,york1 ,,pa41 ,march #af1 #ahgf4 ,joseph ,harris1 ,esq41 ,moreton ,farm1 ,rochester1 ,n4,y43 ,,dear ,,sir--,your favor of the #bb;d of last month came safely to hand1 and ,i am truly obliged to you for the reply to my question4--,you ask1 can ,i help you with facts or suggestions1 on the subject of manure8 ,i fear not much2 but it may be useful to you to know what others need to know4 ,i will look forward to the advent of 8,talks on ,manures0 with much interest1 hoping to get new light on a subject second to none in importance to the farmer4 ,i have done a little at composting for some years1 and am now having a pile of about forty cords1 made up of stable-manure and earth taken from the wash of higher lands1 turned and fined4 ,the labor of digging and hauling the earth1 composting in thin layers with manure1 turning1 and fining1 is so great1 ,i doubt whether it pays for most farm crops--this to be used for mangel-wurzel and market-garden4 ,the usual plan in this county is to keep the stable-manure made during winter1 and the accumulation of the summer in the barn-yard1 where it is soaked by rain1 and trampled fine by cattle1 and in ,august and ,september is hauled upon ground to be seeded with wheat and grass-seeds4 ,i do not think there is much piling and turning done4 ,my own conclusions1 not based on accurate experiments1 however1 are1 that the best manure ,i have ever applied was prepared in a covered pit on which cattle were allowed to run1 and so kept well tramped--some drainage into a well1 secured by pouring water upon it1 when necessary1 and the drainage pumped and distributed over the surface1 at short intervals1 particularly the parts not well tramped1 and allowed to remain until it became a homogeneous mass1 which it will do without having undergone so active a fermentation as to have thrown off a considerable amount of gas4 ,the next best1 composting it with earth1 as above described1 piled about five or six feet high1 turned as often as convenient1 and kept moist enough to secure fermentation4 ,or1 to throw all the manure as made into a covered pit1 until it is thoroughly mixed and made fine1 by allowing hogs to run upon it and root at will2 and when prepared for even spreading1 apply it as a top-dressing on grass-land--at any convenient time4 ,as to how many loads of fresh manure it takes to make one of well-rotted manure1 it may be answered approximately1 three to one1 but that would depend a good deal on the manner of doing it1 and the amount of rough material in it4 ,if well trodden by cattle under cover1 and sufficient drainage poured over it1 to prevent any violent fermentation1 the loss of weight1 ,i think1 would not be very great1 nor the bulk lessened over one-half4 ,many years ago an old and successful farmer said to me1 8if you want to get the full benefit of manure1 spread it as a top-dressing on some growing crop10 and all my experience and observation since tend to confirm the correctness of his advice4 ,while on this subject1 allow me to protest against the practice of naming the quantity of manure applied to a given space1 as so many loads1 as altogether too indefinite4 ,the bushel or cord is a definite quantity1 which all can understand4 ,the average price of good livery stable horse-manure at this place has been for several years four dollars a cord4 ,with two and a half miles to haul1 ,i am trying whether keeping a flock of #ej breeding ewes1 and feeding liberally with wheat bran1 in addition to hay and pasture1 will not produce the needed manure more cheaply4 ,respectfully yours1 ,,edward ,,jessop4 ,p4,s4--,you ask for the average weight of a cord of manure1 such as we pay four dollars for4 ,i had a cord of horse-stable manure from a livery stable in ,york which had been all the time under cover1 with several pigs running upon it1 and was moist1 without any excess of wet1 loaded into a wagon-box holding an entire cord1 or #abh cubic feet1 tramped by the wagoner three times while loading4 ,the wagon was weighed at our hay-scales before loading1 and then the wagon and load together1 with a net result for the manure of #d1djj lbs4 ,i considered this manure rather better than the average4 ,i had another load1 from a different place1 which weighed over #e1jjj lbs41 but on examination it was found to contain a good deal of coal ashes4 ,we never buy by the ton4 ,harrison ,bros4 ,co41 ,manufacturing ,chemists1 ,philadelphia1 rate barnyard-manure as worth #e4gg per ton1 and say that would be about #g4ba per cord1 which would be less than #a tons to the cord4 ,if thrown in loosely1 and it happened to be very dry1 that might be possible4 ,waring1 in his 8,handy ,book of ,husbandry10 page #bja1 says1 he caused a cord of well-trodden livery stable manure containing the usual proportion of straw1 to be carefully weighed1 and that the cord weighed #g1jhj lbs4 ,the load ,i had weighed1 weighing #d1djj lbs41 was considered by the wagoner and by myself as a fair sample of good manure4 ,in view of these wide differences1 further trials would be desirable4 ,dana1 in his 8,muck ,manual10 says a cord of green cow-dung1 pure1 as dropped1 weighs #i1bhi lbs4 ,farmers here seldom draw manure with less than three1 more generally with four horses or mules2 loading is done by the purchaser4 ,from the barn-yard1 put on loose boards1 from #dj to #fj bushels are about an average load4 ,in hauling from town to a distance of three to five miles1 farmers generally make two loads of a cord each1 a day's work4 ,from the barn-yard1 a very variable number1 per day4 ,in my own case1 two men with three horses have been hauling six and seven loads of sixty bushels1 fine compost1 a distance of from one-half to three-fourths of a mile1 up a long and rather steep hill1 and spreading from the wagon1 as hauled1 upon grass-sod4 ,our larger farmers often have one driver and his team1 two wagons1 one loading1 while the other is drawn to the field2 the driver slips off one of the side-boards1 and with his dung-hook draws off piles at nearly equal distances1 to be spread as convenient4 ,,edward ,,jessop4 ,letter from ,dr4 ,e4 ,l4 ,sturtevant1 ,south ,framingham1 ,mass4 ,,south ,,framingham1 ,,mass41 ,april #b1 #ahgf4 ,,friend ,,harris--,manure about ,boston is sold in various ways4 ,first1 according to the number of animals kept2 price varying so much1 that ,i do not venture to name the figures4 ,by the cord1 to be trodden over while loading2 never by weight1 so far as ,i can learn--price from #j to #ab4jj per cord1 according to season1 and various accidental circumstances4 ,during the past winter1 manure has been given away in ,boston4 ,handling1 hauling to the railroad1 and freight costing #d per cord for carrying #cj miles out4 ,market-gardeners usually haul manure as a return freight on their journeys to and from market4 ,about ,south ,framingham1 price stiff at #h a cord in the cellar1 and this may be considered the ruling suburban price4 ,very friendly yours1 ,e4 ,,lewis ,,sturtevant4 ,letter from ,m4 ,c4 ,weld4 ,,new ,,york1 ,nov4 #i1 #ahgf4 ,,my ,,dear ,,harris--,i don't know what ,i can write about manures1 that would be of use4 ,i have strong faith in humus1 in ashes1 leached and unleached1 in lime1 gas-lime1 plaster1 bones1 ammonia ready formed1 nitrates ready formed1 not much in meat and blood1 unless they are cheap4 ,nevertheless1 they often are cheap1 and produce splendid effects4 ,i believe in sulphuric acid1 with organic nitrogenous manures2 the composting of meat1 blood1 hair1 etc41 with peat and muck1 and wetting it down with dilute sulphuric acid4 ,i believe in green-manuring1 heartily1 and in tillage1 tillage1 tillage4 ,little faith in superphosphates and compounded manures1 at selling prices4 ,habirshaw's guano is good enough4 ,so much for my creed4 ,truly yours1 ,m4 ,c4 ,,weld4 ,letter from ,peter ,henderson4 ,,new ,,york1 ,oct4 #bf1 #ahgf4 ,mr4 ,joseph ,harris3 ,,dear ,,sir--,if you will refer to my work 8,gardening for ,profit10 ,new ,edition1 page #cd1 you will get about all the information ,i possess on ,manures1 except that ,i do not say anything about price4 ,in a general way it might be safe to advise that whenever a ton 7it is always best to speak of manures by weight7 of either cow1 horse1 hog1 or other stable-manure can be laid on the ground for #c1 it is cheaper than commercial fertilizers of any kind at their usual market rates4 ,this #c per ton1 ,i think1 would be about the average cost in ,new ,york1 ,boston1 or ,philadelphia4 ,we never haul it on the ground until we are ready to plow it in4 ,if it has to be taken from the hog or cattle yards1 we draw it out into large heaps1 convenient to where it is to be put on the land1 turning it1 to keep it from burning or 8fire-fanging10 if necessary4 ,none of our farmers or market-gardeners here keep it under cover4 ,the expense of such covering and the greater difficulties in getting at it1 for the immense quantities we use1 would be greater than the benefits to be derived from keeping it under cover--benefits1 in fact1 which1 ,i think1 may be greatly overrated4 ,very truly yours1 ,,peter ,,henderson4 ,letter from ,j4 ,m4 ,b4 ,anderson1 ,ed4 8,canada ,farmer10 ,toronto4 8,,canada ,,farmer0 ,,office1 ,,toronto1 ,march #bi1 #ahgf4 ,j4 ,harris1 ,esq43 ,,dear ,,sir--,yours of the #beth inst4 is to hand1 and ,i shall be most happy to render you any assistance in my power4 ,the work you undertake is in able hands1 and ,i have every confidence that1 when completed1 it will form an invaluable acquisition to the agricultural literature of the day4 ,manure in this city is usually sold by the two-horse load--about #a tons--at the rate of #a per load1 or #ff cents per ton4 ,the load contains just about a cord of manure1 consequently a cord will weigh about #a tons4 ,with reference to the general management of manure in ,canada1 ,i may say that the system followed differs in no material respect from that of ,new ,york and the other ,eastern ,states4 ,it is usually kept over winter in the open barn yard 7rarely under cover1 ,i am sorry to say71 laid out on the land about the time of disappearance of last snow1 and plowed in4 ,in some cases it is not carted out until the land is ready for immediate plowing4 ,with some of our more advanced farmers1 the system has lately been adopted of keeping manure under cover and sprinkling it thoroughly at intervals with plaster and other substances4 ,tanks are also becoming more common than formerly1 for the preservation of liquid manure1 which is usually applied by means of large1 perforated hogs-heads1 after the manner of street-watering4 ,you ask1 how the manure is managed at ,bow ,park1 ,brantford4 ,that made during fall and winter is carefully kept in as small bulk as possible1 to prevent exposure to the weather4 ,in ,february and ,march it is drawn out and put in heaps #h feet square1 and well packed1 to prevent the escape of ammonia4 ,in spring1 as soon as practicable1 it is spread1 and plowed under immediately4 ,manure made in spring and summer is spread on the field at once1 and plowed under with a good1 deep furrow4 ,very truly yours1 ,j4 ,m4 ,b4 ,,anderson1 ,ed4 ,canada ,farmer4 ,,manure ,,statistics ,,of ,,long ,,island4 ,the ,manure ,trade of ,long ,island--,letter from ,j4 ,h4 ,rushmore4 ,,old ,,westbury1 ,long ,island1 ,april #f1 #ahgf4 ,joseph ,harris1 ,esq43 ,,dear ,,sir--,the great number of dealers in manure in ,new ,york precludes accuracy1 yet ,mr4 ,skidmore 7who has been testifying voluminously before the ,new ,york ,board of ,health in relation to manure and street dirt71 assures me that the accompanying figures are nearly correct4 ,i enclose statement1 from two roads1 taken from their books1 and the amount shipped over the other road ,i obtained verbally from the ,general ,freight ,agent1 and embody it in the sheet of statistics4 ,the ,ash report ,i know is correct1 as ,i had access to the books showing the business1 for over ten years4 ,i have made numerous applications1 verbally1 and by letter1 to our largest market gardeners1 but there seems to exist a general and strong disinclination to communicate anything worth knowing4 ,i enclose the best of the replies received4 ,speaking for some of our largest gardeners1 ,i may say that they cultivate over one hundred acres1 and use land sufficiently near to the city to enable them to dispense with railroad transportation in bringing manure to their places and marketing crops4 ,i have noticed that one of the shrewdest gardeners invariably composts horn-shavings and bone-meal with horse-manure several months before expecting to use it4 ,a safe average of manure used per acre by gardeners1 may be stated at ninety 7#ij7 tubs1 and from two hundred to twenty hundred pounds of fertilizer in addition1 according to its strength1 and the kind of crop4 ,the following railroad manure statistics will give a generally correct idea of the age of manure1 when used3 ,statement of ,manure ,sent from ,jan4 #a to ,dec4 #ca1 #ahge4 ,over ,f4,n4,s4,c4,r4,r4 ,over ,southern ,r4,r4 ,january #a1eca tubs4 #e1hae tubs4 ,february #d1ceg 0 ,march #gdj 0 #ab1bag 0 ,april #ab1abb 0 #g1jee 0 ,may #g1chc 0 #c1jdi 0 ,june #e1gbe 0 #a1cfe 0 ,july #f1dgc 0 #fhe 0 ,august #f1cgj 0 #b1iaa 0 ,september #c1aig 0 #ad1gjb 0 ,october #hhj 0 #ffj 0 ,november #eab 0 #hdj 0 ,december #a1djf 0 #d1ibc 0 -------------- ------------ #df1cdj tubs4 #eg1fgi tubs4 ,a tub is equal to #ad bushels4 ,hobson1 ,hurtado ,co4 report the amount of ,peruvian guano sold in this country last year at thirty thousand tons4 ,estimated number of horses in ,new ,york city1 #ajj1jjj4 ,estimated product of manure per horse4 ,four cords4 ,estimated proportion of straw to pure excrement4 ,one-half4 ,amount shipped direct from stables4 ,nearly all4 ,amount shipped on vessels4 ,one-half4 ,length of time the unshipped manure remains in heaps4 ,from three to four months4 ,average cost per horse1 annually4 #c4 ,greatest distance of shipment4 ,virginia4 ,average amount shipped via ,l4,i4,r4,r4 #fj1jjj tubs4 ,price of manure per tub delivered on cars or vessel4 #hj cents4 ,average amount put on car4 #dj tubs4 ,statistics of ,ash ,trade4--,time when ashes are delivered4 ,from middle of ,june to middle of ,october4 ,places from which they are mostly shipped4 ,montreal1 ,belleville1 and ,toronto 7,canada74 ,method of transportation4 ,canal boats4 ,average load per boat4 ,about #h1jjj bushels4 ,average amount annually sold4 #cfj1jjj bushels4 ,average cost delivered to farmers4 #bj cents per bushel4 ,per ,acre1 about4 ,amount used by farmers for potatoes #fj tubs4 0 0 0 0 0 cabbage 7late7 #ej 0 0 0 0 0 0 corn #ab 0 ,amount of guano used on ,long ,island1 as represented by the books of ,chapman ,vanwyck1 and their estimate of sales by other firms1 #e1jjj tons4 ,the fertilizers used on the ,island are bought almost exclusively by market gardeners or farmers1 who do a little market gardening1 as it is the general conviction that ordinary farm-crops will not give a compensating return for their application4 ,most market gardeners keep so little stock that the manure made on the place is very inconsiderable4 ,our dairy farmers either compost home-made manures with that from the city1 spread it on the land for corn in the spring1 or rot it separate1 to use in the fall for wheat1 on land that has been cropped with oats the same year4 ,the manure put on for potatoes is generally estimated to enrich the land sufficient for it to produce one crop of winter grain1 and from five to seven crops of grass1 when it is again plowed and cultivated in rotation with1 first1 corn1 second1 potatoes or oats1 and is reseeded in autumn of the same year4 ,fish and fish guano are largely used on land bordering the water1 and adjacent to the oil-works4 ,the average price for guano in bulk at oil-works is #ab per ton4 ,the average price for fish on wharf is #a4ej per thousand1 and it is estimated that1 as a general average1 #f1jjj fish make a ton of guano4 ,the fish1 when applied to corn1 are placed two at each hill1 and plowed under at any time after the corn is large enough to cultivate4 ,seaweed is highly prized by all who use it1 and it will produce a good crop of corn when spread thickly on the land previous to plowing4 ,very respectfully1 ,j4 ,h4 ,,rushmore4 ,letter from ,john ,e4 ,backus4 ,,newtown1 ,long ,island1 ,n4,y41 ,march #bnd1 #ahgf4 ,mr4 ,g4 ,h4 ,rushmore3 ,,dear ,,sir4--,some farmers and market-gardeners use more1 and some less1 manure1 according to crops to be raised4 ,i use about #cj good two-horse wagon-loads to the acre1 to be applied in rows or broad-casted1 as best for certain crops4 ,i prefer old horse-dung for most all purposes4 ,guano1 as a fertilizer1 phosphate of bone and blood are very good2 they act as a stimulant on plants and vegetation1 and are highly beneficial to some vegetation--more valuable on poor soil than elsewhere1 except to produce a thrifty growth in plants1 and to insure a large crop4 ,by giving you these few items they vary considerably on different parts of the ,island2 judgment must be used in all cases and all business4 ,hoping these few lines may be of some avail to ,mr4 ,harris and yourself1 ,i remain1 yours1 etc41 ,,john ,e4 ,,backus4 ,,manure ,,in ,,philadelphia4 ,letter from ,joseph ,heacock4 ,,jenkintown1 ,montgomery ,co41 ,pa41 ,april #ahth1 #ahgf4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend ,,harris4--,stable-manure in ,philadelphia1 costs by the single four-horse-load1 about #i or #aj4 ,mostly1 the farmers who haul much of it1 have it engaged by the year1 and then it can be had for from #g to #h per load4 ,mostly1 four horses are used1 though we frequently see two and three-horse teams1 and occasionally1 five or six horses are used4 ,i have never seen any kind of dung hauled but that of horses4 ,cow-manure would be thought too heavy to haul so long a distance4 ,sugar-house waste1 spent hops1 glue waste1 etc1 are hauled to a small extent4 ,we live about #i miles from the center of the city1 and the road is very hilly1 though otherwise a good one1 being made of stone4 ,the loads vary from #b to #c or #d tons for four horses1 according to the dryness of the manure4 ,the wagons are made very strong1 and weigh from #a1fjj lbs4 to #b1cjj or #b1djj lbs41 according to the number of horses that are to be used to them4 ,i cannot say how many cords there are in an average load1 but probably not less than two cords to four horses4 ,one of my neighbors has a stable engaged by the year4 ,he pays #b4ej per ton1 and averages about three tons per load1 and the distance from the stable in the city to his place1 can not be less than #ab miles4 ,his team goes empty one way and of course can not haul more than a load a day4 ,in fact1 can not average that1 as it would be too hard on his horses4 ,the horses used for the purpose are large and strong4 ,fifteen or twenty years ago1 there was kept on most farms of #ge to #ajj acres1 a team purposely for hauling manure from the city4 ,but it is different now1 many of the farmers using artificial manures1 as it costs so much less2 and others are keeping more stock1 and so making their own manure4 ,still1 there is a great deal hauled yet4 ,and some of it to a distance of #bj miles4 ,though when hauled to this distance1 the teams are loaded both ways4 ,for instance1 they will start to the city with a load of hay 7#ce to #ej cwt471 on ,monday afternoon 7,tuesday is the day of the ,hay ,market72 and when they have their load of hay off on ,tuesday1 they load their manure and drive out five or six miles and put up for the night4 ,next morning they start about #c o'clock1 arriving home before noon1 having been away two days4 ,on ,thursday afternoon1 they start again4 ,you can see that manuring in this way is very expensive4 ,but farmers about here well know that if they do not manure well they raise but little4 ,probably about four loads are used per acre on the average4 ,each load is generally thrown off the wagon in one large heap near where wanted1 and is allowed to lie until they use it4 ,i can not tell how much it loses in bulk by lying in the heap4 ,as to what crops it is used on1 farmers do not think that they could go amiss in applying it to anything except oats4 ,but it is probably used more for top-dressing mowing land1 and for potatoes1 than for anything else4 ,the usual rotation is corn1 potatoes1 or oats1 wheat seeded to clover and timothy1 and then kept in grass from two to four years4 ,those who haul stable-manure1 usually use bone-dust or superphosphate to a greater or less extent4 ,last ,december ,i built a pig-pen1 #bj ft4 #dj ft41 #a stories high4 ,the upper story to be used for litter1 etc4 ,there is a four feet entry on the north side1 running the length of the building4 ,the remainder is divided into five pens1 each #h ft4 #af ft4 ,it is made so that in cold weather it can be closed up tight1 while in warmer weather it can be made as open as an out-shed4 ,i am very much pleased with it4 ,the pigs make a great deal of manure1 and ,i believe that it can be made much cheaper than it can be bought and hauled from ,philadelphia4 ,,joseph ,,heacock1 ,jr4 ,letter from ,herman ,l4 ,routzahn4 ,,middletown1 ,md41 ,may #aath1 #ahgf4 ,joseph ,harris1 ,esq43 ,i herewith proceed to answer questions asked4 ,wheat and corn are principal crops4 ,corn is fed now altogether to stock for the manure4 ,there is but little soiling done4 ,the principal method of making manure is3 ,feeding all the corn raised1 as well as hay1 oats1 and roots1 to cattle2 using wheat straw1 weeds1 etc41 as bedding1 throwing the manure in the yard 7uncovered71 and to cover the pile with plaster 7by sowing broadcast71 at least once a week4 ,to this pile is added the manure from the hog-pens1 hen-house1 etc41 and worked over thoroughly at least twice before using4 ,it is then applied to corn by plowing under2 to wheat1 as a top-dressing4 ,for corn it is usually hauled to the field1 thrown off in heaps #be feet each way1 a cart-load making two heaps4 ,spread just before the plow4 ,for wheat1 spread on directly after plowing1 and thoroughly harrowed in4 ,applied broadcast for potatoes4 ,composts of different kinds are made and used same as in other localities1 ,i presume4 ,artificial manures are going into disrepute 7justly too74 ,this is the plan now adopted by the farmers in this county 7,frederick74 ,where woods are accessible1 leaves and mould are hauled in and added to the manure-heap2 in fact1 every substance that can be worked into the manure-heap is freely used4 ,well-rotted stable-manure is worth from #a4ej to #b4ej per cord1 according to condition and locality4 ,very ,respectfully ,yours1 ,,herman ,l4 ,,routzahn4 ,letter from ,prof4 ,e4 ,m4 ,shelton1 ,prof4 of ,agriculture1 ,kansas ,state ,agricultural ,college4 ,,kansas ,,state ,,agricultural ,,college1 ,,manhattan1 ,kansas1 ,may #e1 #ahgf4 ,,dear ,,sir4--,in reply to your first question1 ,i would say that stable-manure in this vicinity1 is held in very light estimation4 ,indeed1 by the householders of this city1 and quite generally by the farmers1 manure is regarded as one of those things--like drouth and grasshoppers--with which a mysterious ,providence sees fit to clog the operations of the husband-man4 ,the great bulk of the stable-manure made in this city is1 every spring1 carted into ravines and vacant lots--wherever1 in short1 with least expense it can be put out of reach of the senses4 ,it must not be understood by this that manure has little influence on the growing crops in ,kansas4 ,nowhere have ,i seen such excellent results from application of home-made fertilizers1 as in ,kansas4 ,for those sterile wastes known as 8,alkali lands10 and 8,buffalo wallows10 manure is a speedy and certain cure4 ,during two years of severe drouth1 ,i have noticed that wherever manure had been supplied1 the crop withstood the effects of dry weather much better than where no application had been made4 ,four years ago1 a strip across one of our fields was heavily manured2 this year this field is into wheat1 and a dark band that may be seen half a mile shows where this application was made4 ,these facts the better class of our farmers are beginning to appreciate4 ,a few days ago1 a neighbor1 a very intelligent farmer1 assured me that from manuring eight to ten acres every year1 his farm was now in better condition than when be broke up the prairie fifteen years ago4 ,i know of no analysis of stable or farmyard-manure made in ,kansas4 ,concerning the weight of manures1 ,i can give you a few facts1 having had occasion during the past winter to weigh several loads used for experimental purposes4 ,this manure was wheeled into the barnyard1 chiefly from the cattle stalls1 during the winter of #ahgd-e4 ,it lay in the open yard until ,february last1 when it was weighed and hauled to the fields4 ,i found that a wagon-box1 #a #c #i feet1 into which the manure was pitched1 without treading1 held with slight variations1 when level full1 one ton4 ,at this rate a cord would weigh very close to three tons4 ,the greatest difficulty that we have to encounter in the management of manure grows out of our dry summers4 ,during our summer months1 unless sufficient moisture is obtained1 the manure dries out rapidly1 becomes fire-fanged and practically worthless4 ,my practice upon the ,college farm has been to give the bottom of the barn-yard a 8dishing0 form1 so that it holds all the water that falls upon it4 ,the manure ,i keep as flat as possible1 taking pains to place it where the animals will keep it trod down solid4 ,i have adopted this plan after having tried composting and piling the manure in the yards1 and am satisfied that it is the only practical way to manage manures in this climate4 ,there is no particular crop to which manure is generally applied in this ,state1 unless1 perhaps1 wheat4 ,the practice of applying manure as a top-dressing to winter-wheat1 is rapidly gaining ground here4 ,it is found that the manure thus applied1 acting as a mulch1 mitigates the effects of drouth1 besides improving the quality of the grain4 ,very ,respectfully ,yours1 ,e4 ,m4 ,,shelton4 ,letter from ,prof4 ,w4 ,h4 ,brewer1 ,professor of ,agriculture in ,sheffield ,scientific ,school of ,yale ,college4 ,,sheffield ,,scientific ,,school ,,of ,,yale ,,college1 ,,new ,,haven1 ,conn41 ,april #adth1 #ahgf4 ,joseph ,harris1 ,esq41 ,rochester1 ,n4,y43 ,,my ,,dear ,,sir4--,i have made inquiries relating to 8the price of stable-manure in ,new ,haven1 and how far the farmers and gardeners haul it1 etc40 ,i have not been to the horse-car stables1 but ,i have to several livery stables1 and they are all essentially the same4 ,they say that but little is sold by the cord or ton1 or by any weight or measure4 ,it is sold either 8in the lump10 8by the month10 8by the year10 or 8per horse40 ,some sell it at a given sum per month for all their horses1 on a general estimate of their horses--thus1 one man says1 8,i get1 this year1 #be per month for all my manure1 he to remove it as fast as it accumulates2 say one1 two1 or three times per week4 ,he hauls it about five miles and composts it all before using40 ,another says1 he sells per horse4 8,i get1 this year1 #ac per horse1 they to haul it40 ,the price per horse ranges from #aj to #ae per year1 the latter sum being high4 ,from the small or private stables1 the manure is generally 8lumped0 by private contract1 and is largely used about the city4 ,it is hauled sometimes as much as #aj miles1 but usually much less4 ,but the larger stables often sell per shipment--it is sent by cars up the ,connecticut ,valley to ,westfield1 etc41 where it is often hauled several miles from the railroad or river4 ,much manure is sent by boat from ,new ,york to the ,connecticut ,valley tobacco lands4 ,boats 78barges07 are even loaded in ,albany1 go down the ,hudson1 up the ,sound to ,connecticut1 to various places near ,hartford1 ,i am told4 ,two or three years ago1 a man came here and exhibited to us pressed masses of manure--a patent had been taken out for pressing it1 to send by ,r4,r4 7stable manure74 ,i never heard anything more about it--and he was confident and enthusiastic about it4 ,yours truly1 ,,wm4 ,h4 ,,brewer4 ,,food1 ,,increase1 ,,manure1 ,,etc41 ,,of ,,fattening ,,animals4 ,the following table is given by ,mr4 ,j4 ,b4 ,lawes1 of ,rothamsted1 ,england1 showing the relation of the increase1 manure1 and loss by respiration1 to the food consumed by different animals3 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,the table headers as printed are difficult to interpret4 ,i have given my best guess about what the author intended4 #bej_/fjj_/cejj 7,oxen73 #bej lbs4 ,oil-cake #fjj lbs4 ,clover-chaff #cejj lbs4 ,swede turnips ,produce #ajj lbs4 ,increase and supply3 #bej_/cjj_/djjj 7,sheep7 #bej lbs4 ,oil-cake #cjj lbs4 ,clover-chaff #djjj lbs4 ,swede turnips ,produce #ajj lbs4 ,increase and supply3 #ejj lbs4 ,barley meal 7,pigs7 produce #ajj lbs4 increase and supply3 7,in7 ,food4 #ajj ,i3 ,in #ajj lbs4 ,increase4 7,in7 ,man7ure74 7,in7 ,resp7iration1 etc74 #ajj ,total ,dry 7,substance of ,food supply47 7,in7 ,inc7rease74 ,amount 7of each constituent7 stored 7up for #ajj of it consumed74 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ,,oxen4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- #bej_/fjj_/cejj #ajj ,total ,dry ,a ,s ---------------------------------- m t ,food#ajj ,i ,man4,resp4 ,inc4,man4,resp4 t d4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,nitrogenous substance #bah #i4j #j4h #d4a ,non-,nitrogenous #cbc4j #fcf #bi4aeg4c substance #hjheh4j #e4b #g4b ,mineral ,matter #hc #a4f #ha4d 44 #j4b #g4d 44 #a4i ,total dry substance #aajifh4f #djd4d #fcf #f4b #cf4eeg4c 44 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,,sheep4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- #bej_/cjj_/djjj #ajj ,total ,dry ,a ,s ---------------------------------- m t ,food#ajj ,i ,man4,resp4 ,inc4,man4,resp4 t d4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,nitrogenous substance#agg #g4e #j4h #d4b ,non-,nitrogenous #bbiedh4e #be4afj4a substance #fga #fc4j #g4j #i4d ,mineral ,matter #fd #b4j #fb 44 #j4b #f4h 44 #c4a ,total dry substance #iab #gb4e #bia #edh4e #h4j #ca4ifj4a 44 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,,pigs4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- #ejj lbs4 ,barley meal #ajj ,total ,dry ,a ,s ---------------------------------- m t ,food#ajj ,i ,man4,resp4 ,inc4,man4,resp4 t d4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 ,nitrogenous substance #eb #g4j #a4g #ac4e ,non-,nitrogenous #ei4hbgf4b #ad4cfe4g substance #cegff4j #ae4g #ah4e ,mineral ,matter #aa #j4h #aj4b 44 #j4b #b4d 44 #g4c ,total dry substance #dbjgc4h #gj4j #bgf4b #ag4f #af4gfe4g 44 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,in the last edition of his book on ,manure1 8,praktische ,dngerlehre10 ,dr4 ,emil ,wolff1 gives the following tables3 ,of #ajj lbs4 of dry substance in the food1 there is found in the excrements3 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,dry ,substance4 ,cow ,ox ,sheep ,horse ,mean ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,in the ,dung #ch4j lbs4#de4f lbs4#df4i lbs4#db4j lbs4#dc4a lbs4 ,in the ,urine #i4a 0 #e4h 0 #f4f 0 #c4f 0 #f4c 0 ,total dry substance in the ,manure #dg4a 0 #ea4d 0 #ec4e 0 #de4f 0 #di4d 0 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,of #ajj lbs4 of organic substance in the food1 there is found in the excrements3 ---------------------------------------- --------------------- ,organic ,cow ,ox ,sheep ,horse ,mean ,substance4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------- ,in the ,dung #cf4e lbs4#dc4i lbs4#de4f lbs4#ch4b lbs4#da4j lbs4 ,in the ,urine #f4j 0 #c4b 0 #c4i 0 #b4e 0 #c4i 0 ,total organic substance in ,manure #db4e 0 #dg4a 0 #di4e 0 #dj4g 0 #dd4i 0 ---------------------------------------- --------------------- ,of #ajj lbs4 of nitrogen in the food1 there is found in the excrements3 ---------------------------------------- --------------------- ,nitrogen4 ,cow ,ox ,sheep ,horse ,mean ---------------------------------------- --------------------- ,in the ,dung #de4e lbs4#ea4j lbs4#dc4g lbs4#ef4a lbs4#di4a lbs4 ,in the ,urine #ah4c 0 #ch4f 0 #ea4h 0 #bg4c 0 #cd4j 0 ,total ,nitrogen in ,manure #fc4h 0 #hi4f 0 #ie4e 0 #hc4d 0 #hc4a 0 ---------------------------------------- --------------------- ,of #ajj lbs4 mineral matter in the food1 there is found in the excrements3 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,mineral ,matter4 ,cow ,ox ,sheep ,horse ,mean ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,in the ,dung #ec4i lbs4#gj4h lbs4#fc4b lbs4#he4f lbs4#fh4d lbs4 ,in the ,urine #dc4a 0 #df4g 0 #dj4c 0 #af4c 0 #ce4a 0 ,total mineral matter in ,manure #ig4j 0 #aag4 #e 0 #ajc4 #e 0 #aja4i 0 #ajc4 #e 0 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,the excess of mineral matter is due to the mineral matter in the water drank by the animals4 ,the following tables of analyses are copied in full from the last edition 7#ahge71 of ,dr4 ,emil ,wolff's ,praktische ,dngerlehre4 ,the figures differ materially in many cases from those previously published4 ,they represent the average results of numerous reliable analyses1 and are sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes connected with the subject of manures4 ,in special cases1 it will be well to consult actual analyses of the articles to be used4 ,i4--,,tables ,,for ,,calculating ,,the ,,exhaustion ,,and ,,enriching ,,of ,,soils4 ,a4--,,harvest ,,products ,,and ,,various ,,manufactured ,,articles4 ,average quantity of water1 nitrogen1 and total ash1 and the different ingredients of the ash in #ajjj lbs4 of fresh or air-dried substance4 ,w ,water4 ,n ,nitrogen4 ,a ,ash4 ,p ,potash4 ,s ,soda4 ,l ,lime4 ,m ,magnesia4 ,ph,a ,phosphoric ,acid4 ,,sa ,sulphuric ,acid4 ,s,s ,silica and ,sand4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,substance4 ,w ,n ,a ,p ,s ,l ,m ,ph,a ,,sa ,s,s ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,i4--,,hay4 ,meadow ,hay #adc #ae4e #ea4eac4b #b4c #h4f #c4c #d4a #b4d #ac4i ,rye ,grass #adc #af4c #eh4bbj4b #b4j #d4c #a4c #f4b #b4c #ah4e ,timothy #adc #ae4e #fb4abj4d #a4e #d4e #a4i #g4b #a4h #bb4a ,moharhay #acd #ag4c #eh4dba4b #a4b #f4a #e4d #c4d #b4a #af4c ,red ,clover #afj #ai4g #ef4iah4c #a4bbj4j #f4a #e4f #a4g #a4d ,red ,clover1 ripe #aej #ab4e #dd4j #i4h #a4dae4f #f4h #d4c #a4c #c4j ,white ,clover #afe #bc4b #ei4haj4a #d4eai4c #f4j #h4d #d4i #b4e ,alsike ,clover #afj #bd4j #ci4gaa4j #a4bac4e #e4j #d4j #a4f #a4f ,crimson ,clover #afg #ai4e #ej4gaa4g #d4caf4j #c4a #c4f #a4c #h4b ,lucern #afj #bc4j #fb4aae4c #a4cbf4b #c4c #e4e #c4g #c4h ,esparsette #afg #ba4c #de4hac4j #a4eaf4h #c4j #d4f #a4d #c4g ,yellow ,clover #afg #bb4a #ee4gaa4i #a4ccb4f #b4a #d4c #a4j #a4e ,green ,vetch ,hay #afg #bb4g #hc4gbh4c #e4fbb4h #e4daj4g #b4h #d4i ,green ,pea ,hay #afg #bb4i #fb4dbc4b #b4cae4f #f4c #f4h #e4a #j4i ,spurry #afg #ai4b #ef4hai4i #d4faj4i #f4i #h4d #b4j #j4h ,,ii4--,,green ,,fodder4 ,meadow ,grass #gjj #e4d #ah4a #d4f #j4h #c4j #a4a #a4e #j4h #d4i in bloom ,young ,grass #hjj #e4f #bj4gaa4f #j4d #b4b #j4f #b4b #j4h #b4a ,rye ,grass #gcd #e4g #bj4d #g4b #j4g #a4e #j4d #b4b #j4h #f4e ,timothy ,grass #gjj #e4d #ba4f #g4d #j4e #a4f #j4g #b4e #j4f #g4g ,rye-,fodder #gfj #e4c #af4c #f4c #j4a #a4b #j4e #b4d #j4b #e4b ,green ,oats #haj #c4g #ah4h #g4e #j4f #a4b #j4f #a4g #j4f #e4g ,green ,corn-,fodder #hbb #a4i #ab4j #d4c #j4e #a4f #a4d #a4c #j4d #a4g ,sorghum #ggc #d4j #ac4j #c4f #a4h #a4b #j4e #j4h #j4d #c4g ,moharhay #gjj #e4i #ac4i #e4j #j4c #a4d #a4c #j4h #j4e #c4i ,red ,clover #ghj #e4a #ac4g #d4d #j4c #d4h #a4e #a4d #j4d #j4c in blossom 0 0 before 0 #hcj #e4c #ad4e #e4c #j4c #d4b #a4e #a4g #j4c #j4d ,white ,clover #hje #e4f #ac4f #b4c #a4j #d4d #a4d #a4i #a4a #j4f ,alsike ,clover #hbj #e4c #h4h #b4d #j4c #c4j #a4a #j4i #j4d #j4d ,crimson ,clover #hae #d4c #ab4b #b4h #a4j #c4h #j4g #j4i #j4c #b4j ,lucern #gdj #g4b #ah4g #d4f #j4d #g4i #a4j #a4f #a4a #a4a ,esparsette #hjj #e4a #ab4a #c4d #j4d #d4d #j4h #a4b #j4d #a4j ,yellow ,clover #hcj #d4e #ad4g #c4b #j4c #h4f #j4f #a4a #j4c #j4d ,green ,vetch #hbj #e4f #ah4a #f4a #a4b #d4i #a4b #b4c #j4f #a4a ,green ,peas #hae #e4a #ac4i #e4a #j4e #c4e #a4d #a4e #a4a #j4b ,green ,rape #hgj #d4f #ab4b #d4j #j4d #b4g #j4e #a4d #a4g #j4f ,spurry #hjj #c4g #ab4b #d4c #a4j #b4c #a4e #a4h #j4d #j4b ,,iii4--,,root ,,crops4 ,potatoes #gej #c4d #i4d #e4g #j4b #j4b #j4d #a4f #j4f #j4b ,jerusalem #hjj #c4b #i4h #d4g #a4j #j4c #j4c #a4d #j4e #a4j ,artichoke ,mangel-wurzel #hhj #a4h #g4e #d4a #a4b #j4c #j4c #j4f #j4b #j4b ,sugar ,beets #hae #a4f #g4a #c4i #j4g #j4d #j4e #j4h #j4c #j4a ,turnips #ibj #a4h #g4c #c4c #j4g #j4h #j4c #j4i #j4h #j4a ,carrots #hej #b4b #g4h #b4h #a4g #j4i #j4d #a4j #j4e #j4b ,russia ,turnips #hgj #b4a #aa4f #d4g #a4b #a4c #j4c #a4g #a4e #j4a ,succory #hjj #b4e #f4g #b4f #a4a #j4e #j4c #j4h #j4e #j4c ,sugar ,beet1 upper part of root #hdj #b4j #i4f #b4h #b4c #j4i #a4a #a4b #j4g #j4b ,,iv4--,,leaves ,,stems ,,of ,,root ,,crops4 ,potato ,vines1 #ggj #d4i #ai4g #d4c #j4d #f4d #c4c #a4f #a4c #j4i nearly ripe ,potato ,vines1 unripe #hbe #f4c #af4e #d4d #j4c #e4a #b4d #a4b #j4h #a4b ,jerusalem ,artichoke #hjj #e4c #ad4e #c4a #j4b #e4j #a4c #j4g #j4b #c4f ,mangel-wurzel #ije #c4j #ad4a #d4a #b4i #a4f #a4c #j4h #j4h #j4e ,sugar ,beets #hig #c4j #h4a #f4e #b4g #b4g #b4g #a4c #j4i #j4g ,turnips #hih #c4j #aa4i #b4h #a4a #c4i #j4e #j4i #a4a #j4e ,carrots #hbb #e4a #bf4j #b4i #e4b #h4e #j4i #a4b #b4j #b4i ,succory #hej #c4e #af4e #d4c #b4i #c4b #j4d #a4j #a4d #j4f ,russia ,turnips #hej #d4f #be4c #c4g #a4j #h4d #a4j #b4f #c4j #b4f ,cabbage1 white #hij #b4d #af4j #f4c #j4i #c4a #j4f #a4d #b4d #j4b ,cabbage ,stems #hbj #a4h #aa4f #e4a #j4f #a4c #j4e #b4d #j4i #j4b ,v4--,,manufactured ,,products ,,refuse4 ,wheat ,bran #aca #bb4d #ec4ead4c #j4b #a4g #h4hbg4c #j4a #j4e ,rye ,bran #abe #bc4b #ga4dai4c #a4j #b4eaa4ccd4c 44 #a4d ,barley ,bran #abj #bc4g #dh4d #h4a #j4g #a4h #c4j #h4i #j4i #bc4f ,oat ,hulls #adj 44 #cd4g #d4i #j4c #a4d #a4j #a4f #a4c #bc4c ,pea ,bran #adj 44 #bb4gaj4c #j4b #d4a #b4b #c4a #j4i #j4i ,buckwheat ,bran #adj #bg4b #cd4faa4b #j4g #c4d #d4fab4e #a4j #j4g ,wheat ,flour #acf #ah4i #g4b #b4f #j4a #j4b #j4d #c4g 44 44 ,rye ,flour #adb #af4h #af4i #f4e #j4c #j4b #a4d #h4e 44 44 ,barley ,meal #adj #af4j #bj4j #e4h #j4e #j4f #b4g #i4e #j4f 44 ,corn ,meal #adj #af4j #e4i #a4g #j4b #j4d #j4i #b4f 44 44 ,green ,malt #dge #aj4d #ad4f #b4e 44 #i4e #a4b #e4c 44 #d4h ,dry ,malt #ge #af4j #bf4f #d4f 44 #a4j #b4b #i4g 44 #h4h ,brewer's ,grains #gff #g4h #aa4g #j4e #j4a #a4c #a4j #d4a 44 #d4f ,beer #ijj 44 #f4b #b4a #j4f #j4b #j4d #b4j #j4b #j4f ,malt-sprouts #hj #cf4h #ff4gbj4f #a4b #a4i #a4hah4j #b4i #ad4g ,potato ,fibre #hej #a4c #a4h #j4c 44 #j4i #j4a #j4d 44 #j4a ,potato ,slump #idh #a4f #e4j #b4b #j4d #j4c #j4d #a4j #j4d #j4b ,sugar-beet ,pomace #gjj #b4i #aa4d #c4i #j4i #b4f #j4g #a4a #j4d #j4i ,clarifying ,refuse #idh #j4h #c4c #j4c #j4a #a4a #j4b #j4b #j4a #j4g ,sugar-beet ,molasses #agb #ab4h #hb4ceg4eaj4j #d4g #j4c #j4e #a4g #j4c ,molasses ,slump #ibj #c4b #ad4jaa4j #a4e #j4b 44 #j4a #j4b 44 ,rape-cake #aej #dh4e #ed4fab4d #a4h #f4h #g4jai4b #c4b #b4h ,linseed ,oil-cake #aae 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#b4b #h4i #j4c #j4c ,spelt1 without husk #adc #bb4j #ad4b #e4a #j4e #j4d #a4g #f4j 44 #j4b ,spelt1 with husk #adh #af4j #cf4f #e4g #j4d #a4j #b4d #g4f #a4a #ag4a ,winter ,rye #adc #ag4f #ag4i #e4f #j4c #j4e #b4a #h4d #j4b #j4d ,winter ,barley #ade #af4j #ag4j #b4f #j4g #j4b #b4a #e4f #j4e #d4i ,spring ,barley #adc #af4j #bb4b #d4e #j4f #j4f #a4i #g4g #j4d #f4a ,oats #adc #ai4b #bg4j #d4d #j4f #a4j #a4i #f4b #j4d #ab4h ,millet #adj #bj4c #bi4h #c4d #j4d #j4b #b4i #e4i #j4a #ae4h ,indian ,corn #add #af4j #ac4j #c4g #j4b #j4c #b4j #e4i #j4b #j4b ,sorghum #adj 44 #af4j #c4c #j4e #j4b #b4d #h4a 44 #a4b ,buckwheat #adj #ad4d #aa4h #b4g #j4g #j4e #a4e #e4g #j4b #j4a ,peas #adc #ce4h #bc4e #i4h #j4b #a4b #a4i #h4f #j4h #j4b ,field ,beans #ade #dj4h #cj4gac4a #j4d #a4e #b4baa4i #j4h #j4b ,garden ,beans #aej #ci4j #bg4dab4j #j4d #a4h #b4j #i4g #a4a #j4b ,vetch #adc #dd4j #bf4h #h4a #b4a #b4a #b4daj4j #a4j #j4c ,lupine #acj #ef4f #cd4aaj4b #j4a #c4j #d4jad4c #a4e #j4b ,red ,clover #aej #cj4e #ch4cac4e #j4d #b4e #d4iad4e #j4i #j4e ,white ,clover #aej 44 #cc4hab4c #j4b #b4e #c4iaa4f #a4f #j4h ,esparsette #afj 44 #ch4daa4j #a4aab4c #b4f #i4b #a4b #j4c ,ruta-bagas #adj 44 #dh4h #i4a #h4e #g4f #h4f #g4f #b4a #a4a ,sugar-,beet #adf 44 #de4caa4a #d4baj4b #g4c #g4e #b4j #j4h ,carrots #abj 44 #gd4had4c #c4ebi4a #e4jaa4h #d4b #d4j ,succory #acj 44 #ed4f #f4e #d4fag4c #e4iaf4e #b4d #j4f ,turnips #abe 44 #cd4f #g4f #j4d #f4a #c4aad4j #b4e #j4b ,rape #aah #ca4b #ci4a #i4f #j4f #e4e #d4faf4e #j4i #j4e ,summer-,rape #abj 44 #cd4i #g4g 44 #e4b #d4gad4i #b4c 44 ,mustard #acj 44 #cf4e #e4i #b4j #g4j #c4gad4f #a4h #j4i ,poppy #adg #bh4j #eb4i #g4b #j4eah4g #e4jaf4f #a4j #a4g ,linseed #aah #cb4h #cb4faj4j #j4g #b4f #d4gac4e #j4h #j4d ,hemp #abb #bf4a #de4c #i4d #j4daj4i #b4faf4i #j4a #e4e ,grape-,seeds #aaj 44 #be4j #g4b 44 #h4d #b4a #f4j #j4f #j4c ,horse-chestnuts1 #dib #aj4b #ab4j #g4a 44 #a4d #j4a #b4g #j4c #j4c fresh ,acorns1 fresh #efj 44 #i4f #f4b #j4a #j4g #j4e #a4d #j4d #j4a ,,xi4 ,,various ,,animal ,,products ,cows' ,milk #hge #e4a #f4b #a4e #j4f #a4c #j4b #a4g 44 44 ,sheep #hfj #e4e #h4d #a4h #j4c #b4e #j4a #c4j #j4a #j4b ,cheese #dej #de4c #fg4d #b4ebf4f #f4i #j4baa4e 44 44 ,ox-blood #gij #cb4j #g4e #j4f #c4d #j4a #j4a #j4d #j4b #j4a ,calf-blood #hjj #bi4j #g4a #j4h #b4i #j4a #j4a #j4f #j4a 44 ,sheep-blood #gij #cb4j #g4e #j4e #c4c #j4a #j4a #j4d #j4a 44 ,swine-blood #hjj #bi4j #g4a #a4e #b4b #j4a #j4a #j4i #j4a 44 ,ox-flesh #ggj #cf4j #ab4f #e4b 44 #j4b #j4d #d4c #j4d #j4c ,calf flesh #ghj #cd4i #ab4j #d4a #a4j #j4b #j4b #e4h 44 #j4a ,swine-flesh #gdj #cd4g #aj4d #c4i #j4e #j4h #j4e #d4f 44 44 ,living ,ox #eig #bf4f #df4f #a4g #a4dbj4h #j4fah4f 44 #j4a ,living ,calf #ffb #be4j #ch4j #b4d #j4faf4c #j4eac4h 44 #j4a ,living ,sheep #eia #bb4d #ca4g #a4e #a4dac4b #j4dab4h 44 #j4b ,living ,swine #ebh #bj4j #ba4f #a4h #j4b #i4b #j4d #h4h 44 44 ,eggs #fgb #ba4h #fa4h #a4e #a4ded4j #a4j #c4g #j4a #j4a ,wool1 washed #abj #id4d #i4g #a4h #j4c #b4d #j4f #j4c 44 #b4e ,wool1 unwashed #aej #ed4j #ih4hgd4f #a4i #d4b #a4f #a4a #d4j #c4j ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,b4--,,average ,,composition ,,of ,,various ,,manures4 ,w ,water4 ,,os ,organic ,substance4 ,a ,ash4 ,n ,nitrogen4 ,p ,potash4 ,s ,soda4 ,l ,lime4 ,m ,magnesia4 ,ph,a ,phosphoric ,acid4 ,,sa ,sulphuric ,acid4 ,s,s ,silica and ,sand4 ,c,f ,chlorine and ,florine4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,name of ,fertilizer4 ,w ,,os ,a ,n ,p ,s ,l ,m ,ph,a ,,sa ,s,s ,c,f ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,i4--,animal ,excrements4 7,in #ajjj parts of ,manure47 ,fresh ,fces3 ,horse #geg #baa #ca4f #d4d #c4e #j4f #a4ea4b #c4e #j4fai4f #j4b ,cattle #hch #ade #ag4b #b4i #a4j #j4b #c4da4c #a4g #j4d #g4b #j4b ,sheep #fee #cad #ca4a #e4e #a4e #a4j #d4fa4e #c4a #a4dag4e #j4c ,swine #hbj #aej #cj4j #f4j #b4f #b4e #j4ia4j #d4a #j4dae4j #j4c ,fresh ,urine3 ,horse #ija #ga #bh4jae4eae4j #b4e #d4eb4d 44 #j4f #j4h #a4e ,cattle #ich #ce #bg4d #e4h #d4i #f4d #j4aj4d 44 #a4c #j4c #c4h ,sheep #hgb #hc #de4bai4ebb4f #e4d #a4fc4d #j4a #c4j #j4a #f4e ,swine #ifg #bh #ae4j #d4c #h4c #b4a 44 #j4h #j4g #j4h 44 #b4c ,fresh ,dung 7with straw3799 ,horse #gac #bed #cb4f #e4h #e4c #a4j #b4aa4d #b4h #j4gag4g #j4d ,cattle #gge #bjc #ba4h #c4d #d4j #a4d #c4aa4a #a4f #j4f #h4e #a4j ,sheep #fdf #cah #ce4f #h4c #f4g #b4b #c4ca4h #b4c #a4ead4g #a4g ,swine #gbd #bej #be4f #d4e #f4j #b4j #j4hj4i #a4i #j4haj4h #a4g ,common ,barn-yard ,manure3 ,fresh #gaj #bdf #dd4a #d4e #e4b #a4e #e4ga4d #b4a #a4bab4e #a4e ,moderately rotted #gej #aib #eh4j #e4j #f4c #a4i #g4ja4h #b4f #a4faf4h #a4i ,thoroughly rotted #gij #ade #fe4j #e4h #e4j #a4c #h4ha4h #c4j #a4cag4j #a4f ,drainage from ,barn-yard ,manure #ihb #g #aj4g #a4e #d4i #a4j #j4cj4d #j4a #j4g #j4b #a4b ,human ,fces1 fresh #ggb #aih #bi4iaj4j #b4e #a4f #f4bc4faj4i #j4h #a4i #j4d 0 ,urine1 0 #ifc #bd #ac4e #f4j #b4j #d4f #j4bj4b #a4g #j4d 44 #e4j ,mixed human excrements1 fresh #icc #ea #af4j #g4j #b4a #c4h #j4ij4f #b4f #j4e #j4b #d4j ,mixed human excrements1 mostly liquid #iee #cj #ae4j #c4e #b4j #c4j #a4jj4f #b4h #j4d #j4b #d4c ,dove ,manure1 fresh #eai #cjh #agc4jag4faj4j #j4gaf4je4jag4h #c4cbj4b 44 ,hen 0 0 #efj #bee #ahe4jaf4c #h4e #a4jbd4jg4dae4d #d4ece4b 44 ,duck 0 0 #eff #bfb #agb4jaj4j #f4b #j4eag4jc4ead4j #c4ebh4j 44 ,geese 0 0 #gga #acd #ie4j #e4e #i4e #a4c #h4db4j #e4d #a4dad4j 44 ,,ii4--,commercial ,manures4 7,in #ajj parts of ,fertilizer47 ,peruvian ,guano #ad4hea4d #cc4hac4j #b4c #a4daa4ja4bac4j #a4j #a4g #a4c ,norway ,fish-,guano#ab4fec4d #cd4j #i4j #j4c #j4iae4dj4fac4e #j4c #a4f #a4a ,poudrette #bd4jbg4j #di4j #b4j #j4i #a4jah4fj4e #b4a #a4j #e4d #a4e ,pulverized ,dead ,animals #e4gef4i #cg4d #f4e #j4c #j4hah4bj4dac4i #a4j #a4g #j4b ,flesh-,meal #bg4hef4f #ae4f #i4g 44 44 #g4jj4c #f4c #j4a #a4a 44 ,dried ,blood #ad4jgi4j #g4jaa4g #j4g #j4f #j4gj4a #a4j #j4d #b4a #j4d ,horn-,meal and ,shavings #h4efh4e #be4jaj4b 44 44 #f4fj4c #e4e #j4iaa4j 44 ,bone-,meal #f4jcc4c #fj4g #c4h #j4b #j4cca4ca4jbc4b #j4a #c4e #j4c ,bone-,meal from solid parts #e4jca4e #fc4e #c4e #j4a #j4bcc4ja4jbe4b #j4a #c4j #j4b ,bone-,meal from soft parts #g4jcg4c #ee4g #d4j #j4b #j4cbi4ja4jbj4j #j4a #c4e #j4b ,bone-black1 before used #f4jaj4j #hd4j #a4j #j4a #j4cdc4ja4acb4j #j4d #e4j 44 ,bone-black1 spent #aj4j #f4j #hd4j #j4e #j4a #j4bcg4ja4abf4j #j4dae4j 44 ,bone ash #f4j #c4j #ia4j 44 #j4c #j4fdf4ja4bce4d #j4d #f4e 44 ,baker ,guano #aj4j #i4b #ha4j #j4e #j4b #a4bda4ea4ecd4h #a4e #j4h #j4c ,jarvis ,guano#aa4h #h4b #hj4j #j4d #j4d #j4cci4aj4ebj4fah4j #j4e #j4b ,estremadura ,apatite #j4f 44 44 44 #j4g #j4cdh4aj4acg4f #j4b #i4j #a4e ,sombrero ,phosphate #h4e 44 #ia4e #j4a 44 #j4hdc4ej4fce4j #j4e #a4j #j4f ,navassa ,phosphate #b4f #e4d #ib4j #j4a 44 44 #cg4ej4fcc4b #j4e #e4j #j4a ,nassau ,phosphorite1 rich #b4f 44 #ig4d 44 #j4h #j4dde4aj4bcc4j #j4c #e4e #c4a ,nassau ,phosphorite1 medium #b4e 44 #ig4e 44 #j4g #j4ddj4aj4bbd4a 44 #bj4h #a4e ,westphalian ,phos- phorite #f4e #a4f #ia4h 44 44 44 #ba4hj4iai4g #a4jbb4j #a4f ,hanover ,phos- phorite #b4j #c4e #id4e 44 44 44 #cg4bj4bbi4b #j4e #c4c #a4e ,coprolites #d4c 44 #ie4g 44 #a4j #j4ede4da4jbf4d #j4h #g4e #j4a ,sulphate of ,ammonia #d4j 44 44 #bj4j 44 44 #j4e 44 44 #eh4j #c4j #a4d ,nitrate of ,soda #b4f 44 44 #ae4e 44 #ce4j #j4b 44 44 #j4g #a4e #a4g ,wool-dust and offal #aj4jef4j #cd4j #e4b #j4c #j4a #a4dj4c #a4c #j4ebi4j #j4b ,lime-cake #f4edg4j #df4e #c4a 44 44 #bj4eb4d #c4j 44 #h4j 44 ,whale-oil refuse #bc4jfh4d #h4f #e4g 44 44 #c4jj4b #b4c 44 #c4j 44 ,common ,salt #e4j 44 #ie4j 44 44 #dd4c #a4bj4b 44 #a4d #b4jdh4b ,gypsum or ,plaster #bj4j 44 #hj4h 44 44 44 #ca4jj4a 44 #dd4j #d4j 44 ,gas-lime #g4j #a4c #ia4g #j4d #j4b 44 #fd4ea4e 44 #ab4e #c4j 44 ,sugar-,house ,scum #cd4ebd4e #da4j #a4b #j4b #j4fbj4gj4c #a4e #j4c #i4a #j4a ,leached wood ashes #bj4j #e4j #ge4j 44 #b4e #a4cbd4eb4e #f4j #j4cbj4j 44 ,wood-soot #e4jga4h #bc4b #a4c #b4d #j4eaj4ja4e #j4d #j4c #d4j 44 ,coal-soot #e4jgj4b #bd4h #b4e #j4a 44 #d4ja4e 44 #a4gaf4j 44 ,ashes from ,deciduous trees #e4j #e4j #ij4j 44 #aj4j #b4ecj4je4j #f4e #a4fah4j #j4c ,ashes from ,evergreen trees #e4j #e4j #ij4j 44 #f4j #b4jce4jf4j #d4e #a4fah4j #j4c ,peat-ashes #e4j 44 #ie4j 44 #a4e #j4h 8 #a4e #j4f #a4c 8 #j4b ,bituminous coal-ashes #e4j 44 #ie4j 44 #j4e #j4d 8 #c4b #j4b #c4e 8 44 ,anthracite coal-ashes #e4j #e4j #ij4j 44 #j4a #j4a 8 #c4j #j4a #e4j 8 44 ,,iii4 ,superphosphate1 from ,peruvian ,guano #af4jda4i #db4aaj4j #b4j #a4b #i4ea4jaj4eae4j #a4e #a4a ,baker ,guano #ae4j #f4b #gh4h #j4c #j4a #j4hbe4ij4iba4hbh4e #j4i #j4b ,estremadura ,apatite #ae4j 44 #he4j 44 #j4d #j4bbh4bj4abb4abh4e #e4c #j4i ,sombrero ,phosphate #ae4j 44 #he4j 44 44 #j4ebf4dj4dbj4bbe4e #j4f #j4d ,navassa ,phosphate #ae4j #b4e #hb4e 44 44 8 #ag4jj4cae4dai4e #b4c 8 ,nassau ,phosphorite1 rich #ae4j 44 #he4j 44 #j4e #j4bbf4ej4aai4dbe4e #c4b #a4h ,nassau ,phosphorite1 medium #ab4j 44 #hh4j 44 #j4c #j4abd4bj4aaf4fai4eac4e #a4c ,bone-black #ae4j #h4jgg4j #j4c 44 #j4abe4jj4gaf4bba4j #i4c 44 ,bone-,meal #ac4jbc4hfc4b #b4j #j4a #j4bbb4dj4gaf4fai4e #b4e #j4b ,phospho-guano 7manu- factured47#ae4eac4jhj4c #c4c #j4c #j4dbd4j 44#bj4ebh4h #c4j #j4i ---------------------------------------- -------------------- 99 ,it is estimated that in the case of horses1 cattle1 and swine1 one-third of the urine drains away4 ,the following is the amount of wheat-straw used daily as bedding for each animal4 ,horse1 #f lbs42 ,cattle1 #h lbs42 ,swine1 #d lbs41 and sheep1 #j4f lbs4 #b4--,,table ,,showing ,,the ,,distribution ,,of ,,ingredients ,,in ,,some ,,manufacturing ,,processes4 ,,ds ,dry ,substance4 ,n ,nitrogen4 ,a ,ash4 ,p ,potash4 ,l ,lime4 ,m ,magnesia4 ,ph,a ,phosphoric ,acid4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,name of ,material4 ,,ds ,n ,a ,p ,l ,m ,ph,a ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- #a4--;,brewing4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 lbs4 #ajjj lbs4 ,barley1 contain #hee #ae4bbb4bcd4dh #j4eh #a4ib #g4ga #ae 0 ,hops 0 #ac4b 44 #a4jjj4cdej4afgj4jefj4afh ,distribution of the ,ingredients3 ,water 44 44 #a4bcj4hebj4jcij4jdej4bcd ,malt-,sprouts #cc #a4ch #b4dcj4gdij4jfij4jffj4fec ,brewers' ,grains #bfi #h4gdac4jhj4ehja4dgda4acdc4fca ,spent ,hops #i 44 #j4edj4jcbj4afjj4jeej4jfb ,yeast #cj #b4id #b4bgj4fdcj4jigj4ahea4cdi ,beer 44 #b4ad #c4fea4iih 44 #j4dhdj4ici #b4--;,distillery4 a4 #ajjj lbs4 ,potatoes1 contain #bej #c4b #i4dce4fi #j4bdj4dd #a4fc #dj 0 ,kiln-,malt #cg #j4ef #a4jfj4ahdj4jdjj4jhhj4chh #bj 0 ,yeast-,malt #ah4e #j4bh #j4ecj4jibj4jbjj4jddj4aid ,the ,slump1 contains #abe #d4jdaa4jbe4iffj4cjjj4egbb4bab 7b47 ,grain ,spirits4 #hjj lbs4 ,rye1 contain #fhd #ad4jhad4cbd4ejaj4cgfa4fdhf4gaj #bjj 0 ,kiln-,malt1 contain #ahd #b4hb #e4abj4hhcj4aiej4dbia4ebf #ej 0 ,yeast-,malt1 0 #df #j4ga #a4bhj4bbaj4jdij4ajgj4chb ,the ,slump1 contains #ddc #ag4fabj4gbe4fjej4fbjb4ahdh4fah #c4--,yeast ,manufacture4 #gjj lbs4 bruised ,rye1 contain #eii #ab4cbab4ecc4idaj4cbia4ddde4hgf #cjj 0 ,barley-,malt1 0 #bgf #d4bc #g4fga4cbej4bicj4fdcb4hja ,distribution of the ,ingredients3 ,yeast #de #d4fj #c4daa4bgcj4aibj4cfgb4fgb ,grains and ,slump #cbe #aa4ieaf4gic4iicj4dcja4gbjf4jje #d4--,starch ,manufacture4 #ajjj lbs4 ,potatoes1 contain #bej #c4bj #i4dce4fi #j4bd #j4dd #a4fc ,the remains in the ,fibre #ge #j4fj #j4eaj4jhfj4bffj4jdbj4acc 0 0 0 ,water #de #b4fj #h4hie4fjd 44 #j4ciha4dig #e4--,milling4 #ajjj lbs4 ,wheat1 contain #heg #bj4hjaf4hhe4bf #j4eg #b4jb #g4id ,distribution of the ,ingredients3 ,flour 7#gg4e per cent7 #ffd #ad4fe #e4eja4ihjj4aedj4dehb4hfb ,mill-feed 7 #f4e 0 7 #eh #a4fd #a4hjj4fdhj4jejj4adhj4icf ,bran 7#af4j 0 7 #ace #d4ea #i4fjb4gfbj4cifa4cidd4ajb #f4--;,cheese-,making4 #ajjj lbs4 ,milk1 contain #abe #d4hj #f4aja4ejea4cccj4ahfa4gce ,distribution of the ,ingredients3 ,cheese #fe #d4ec #b4hdj4bdgj4fhgj4jbha4eae ,whey #fj #j4bg #c4bfa4behj4fdfj4aehj4ehd #g4--;,beet-,sugar ,manufacture4 #ajjj lbs4 ,roots1 contain #ahd #a4fj #g4ajc4iadj4cgij4ecfj4ghj ,distribution of the ,ingredients3 ,tops and ,tails 7#ab per cent of roots7 #ai #j4bd #a4aej4ccfj4ajhj4acbj4add ,pomace 7#ae per cent of roots7 #df #j4dd #a4gaj4ehej4cijj4ajej4afe ,skimmings 7#d per cent of roots7 #bd #j4fj #a4bjj4chjh4fdjj4bdjj4chd ,molasses 7#c per cent of roots7 #be #j4cb #b4dga4gdaj4adaj4jjij4jae ,sugar and loss #he 44 #j4egj4hgb 44 #j4jdjj4jgb #h4 ,flax ,dressing4 #ajjj lbs4 ,flax-,stalks1 contain #hfj 44 #cj4cfi4dbff4geaa4iiec4iij ,distribution of the ,ingredients3 ,in the ,water #bae 44 #be4aei4aged4ajja4hejc4djj ,stems or ,husks #dfj 44 #d4jcj4agab4jebj4jifj4dgd ,flax and ,tow #aee 44 #a4bbj4jedj4fdhj4jedj4abf ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ,,index4 ,absorptive ,powers of ,soils1 #bag ,ammonia ,absorbed by ,soil from the ,atmosphere1 #bai ,ammonia and ,superphosphate1 #bdb 0 and ,weeds1 #bed 0 ,converted into ,nitric ,acid in the ,soil1 #cac 0 for ,oats1 #bec-bed 0 for ,potatoes1 #bfa 0 for ,wheat1 #aib-bac 0 in ,fresh ,horse-dung1 #if 0 in ,limed and ,unlimed ,soils1 #bbj 0 in the ,soil ,liberated by ,lime1 #bba 0 ,locked ,up in the ,soil1 #bba 0 ,loss of by ,fermenting ,manure1 #ih 0 on ,grass ,land1 #bgc 0 ,potential1 #ca 0 ,quantity of to ,produce ,one ,bushel of ,wheat1 #baa-bab 0 ,required to ,produce a ,bushel of ,barley1 #bdj-bdb 0 ,retained by the ,soil1 #bah 0 ,salts1 ,composition of1 #cab 0 0 ,how to ,apply1 #bhf-cab 0 0 for ,private ,gardens1 #big ,anderson1 ,j4 ,m4 ,b41 ,letter from1 #cde ,animals1 ,composition of ,manure from ,different1 #cjf 0 ,what ,they ,remove from the ,food1 #cja ,apple ,trees1 ,nitrate of ,soda for1 #cad ,artificial ,manures1 ,will ,they ,pay1 #bad ,ashes1 ,burnt ,earth1 #gb 0 ,coal1 #gb 0 for ,barley1 #bda 0 for ,indian ,corn1 #bgi 0 for ,oats1 #bec 0 for ,potatoes1 #bei 0 of ,manure for ,wheat1 #agc 0 on ,long ,island1 #cdf 0 ,plaster and ,hen-dung for ,potatoes1 #bee 0 ,wood1 #ajd ,barley ,after ,ten ,crops of ,turnips1 #bej 0 a ,large ,yield of1 #bdb 0 and ,clover after a heavily-manured ,root-crop1 #bhg 0 ,best ,soil for1 #bbg 0 ,cost of ,raising ,with and ,without ,manure1 #bde 0 ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments on1 #bbg 0 ,potash ,increases the ,crop of at ,rothamsted1 #cbi 0 ,profits of ,raising in ,poor ,seasons1 #bdc 0 ,quality and ,price of1 #bdb 0 ,yield ,per ,acre1 #aa ,barn-yard ,manure1 ,difference in ,quality of1 #bdf ,bean-straw for ,manure1 #dh ,beets1 ,sugar1 ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments on1 #bhh 0 0 ,manure for1 #bhf ,blood1 #cb ,bone-dust1 #cad 0 0 ,composition of ,compared with ,stable ,manure1 #caf 0 0 ,fermented with ,manure1 #caf 0 0 ,made into ,superphosphate1 #cai 0 0 on ,dairy ,farms1 #cae ,bones as ,manure1 #ajb ,bran1 #bf 0 for ,manure1 #ajb 0 ,richer in ,plant-food than ,wheat1 #cja ,brewer1 ,prof4 ,w4 ,h41 ,letter from1 #cda ,cabbage and ,barn-yard ,manure1 ,composition of1 #bib 0 ,composition of1 #bij-bib 0 ,hog and ,cow ,manure for1 #cjb 0 ,lime for1 #bib 0 ,manure for1 #bge-bij 0 ,manure for ,early and ,late1 #bia 0 ,needs a ,large ,supply of ,nitrogen in the ,soil4 ,though it ,removes but ,little1 #bic 0 ,potash for1 #bib 0 ,special ,manure for1 #cbc 0 ,yield of per ,acre1 #bia ,cattle vs4 ,sheep as ,manure-makers1 #cjc ,cheese1 from a ,ton of ,hay1 #aaa 0 ,plant-food in1 #aja 0 versus ,beef1 #aaj ,clay ,retains ,ammonia1 #bai ,clover and ,indian ,corn1 #bge 0 as a ,renovating and ,exhausting ,crop1 #bgg 0 as ,manure1 #aai-abb 0 as ,manure for ,wheat1 #aeh 0 ,does it ,get ,nitrogen from the ,atmosphere1 #acc-ach 0 ,dr4 ,vlcker's ,experiments on1 #ace 0 for ,wheat1 #abf 0 ,gathers ,up ,manure from the ,sub-soil1 #bhg 0 ,hay1 ,composition of1 #abi-acg 0 ,hay1 ,english and ,german1 for ,manure1 #dg 0 ,how to ,make a ,farm ,rich by ,growing1 #acc-afc 0 ,letting it ,rot on the ,surface as ,manure1 #acd 0 ,nitrogen as a ,manure for1 #ada 0 ,pasturing by ,sheep versus ,mowing for ,hay1 #acg 0 ,plowing ,under versus ,feeding ,out1 #abc 0 ,roots1 ,amount of per ,acre1 #adc-add-aee 0 ,roots1 ,composition of1 #ade-adg 0 ,seed1 ,amount of ,roots per ,acre1 #afb 0 ,water ,evaporated by1 #acb 0 ,why it ,enriches ,land1 #aca ,coal-ashes to ,mix with ,artificial ,manures1 #cab ,composting ,cow-manure with ,muck1 ,leaves1 etc1 #cjb ,compost of ,stable-manure and ,earth1 #cdb ,corn1 as a ,renovating ,crop1 #bge 0 ,ashes for1 #bgi 0 ,barn-yard ,manure for1 #bhd 0 ,cost of ,raising1 #i 0 ,crop1 ,composition of1 #be 0 ,experiments on1 #bgi 0 ,guano for1 #bgi-bhd 0 ,manure for1 #bge 0 ,meal for ,manure1 #ahe 0 ,superphosphate for1 #bgi-bhd 0 ,fodder1 #bge 0 0 vs4 ,mangel-wurzels1 #bhh 0 0 ,plaster for1 #bgg 0 0 vs4 ,wheat1 ,yield per acre1 #bgf ,cotton-seed ,cake1 #df-cci ,cow-manure1 #hf-ajj 0 0 and ,how to ,use it1 #cjb 0 0 ,composition of1 #cjf ,cows1 ,feeding ,grain to1 #aaj-aac 0 ,feeding in ,winter for ,manure1 #bef ,crops ,best to ,apply ,manure to1 #bfe 0 ,how to ,get ,larger1 #bh-cf 0 ,raised and ,sold from the ,farm1 #bg 0 ,rotation of1 #aaf-afh 0 ,we ,must ,raise ,larger per ,acre1 #bff 0 ,why so ,poor1 #bh ,dairy ,farms1 ,bone-dust on1 #cae ,drainage from ,barn-yard1 #cjf ,dry ,earth for ,pig ,pens1 #cjd ,earth-closet ,manure1 #caj 0 0 0 on ,grass1 #bbe ,fallow1 ,fall1 #ab 0 for ,wheat1 ,how to--,mr4 ,lawes' ,experiments1 #ce 0 ,summer1 for ,wheat1 #ae-cd ,farm ,dairy1 ,receipts and ,expenses of1 #aji 0 ,hon4 ,george ,geddes'1 #aai 0 ,hon4 ,joseph ,shull's1 #aji 0 ,john ,johnston's1 #gf-ha-abj 0 ,mr4 ,dewey's1 #ci 0 ,mr4 ,joseph ,o4 ,sheldon's1 #ae 0 to ,restore a ,worn ,out1 #cg ,farming1 a ,poor ,business1 #i 0 ,difference ,between ,high and ,good1 #aa 0 ,faith in ,good1 #ad 0 ,good ,does ,not ,lead to ,over ,production1 #ad 0 ,slow ,work1 #ag ,fermenting ,manure to ,kill ,weed-,seeds1 #ig ,fish as ,manure1 #cdg ,food1 ,nothing ,added to it by the ,animal1 #db ,gardens1 ,manure for ,private1 #bif ,geddes1 ,hon4 ,george1 #ag-aag ,grains1 ,malt1 ,english and ,german1 #dg ,grass a ,saving's ,bank1 #da 0 ,importance of ,rich1 #aac 0 ,manure for1 #abj ,guano as a ,top-dressing for ,wheat1 #bgj 0 for ,barley1 #bdj 0 for ,oats1 #bec 0 for ,peas1 #ag 0 for ,potatoes1 #bee-beh 0 on ,wheat1 #abj-ahj-ahd 0 ,peruvian1 ,composition of1 #caa 0 0 for ,onions1 #bid 0 0 ,price and ,composition of ,now and #cj ,y'rs ,ago1 #cbg 0 0 ,rectified for ,turnips1 #bhf 0 0 ,what it is1 #caa ,gypsum1 #ajd-aaf-abf 0 for ,oats1 #bed 0 for ,peas1 #ag 0 for ,potatoes1 #bee-bei ,harison1 ,t4 ,l41 ,letter from1 #aae ,hay1 ,best ,manure for1 #bgd 0 ,plant-food in1 #aja ,heacock1 ,joseph1 ,letter from1 #cdh ,henderson1 ,peter1 ,letter from1 #cdd ,hen ,manure1 #dc-ajd-cja 0 0 for ,potatoes1 #bee ,high ,farming1 #ab 0 0 versus ,good ,farming1 #aa ,hops1 ,manure for1 #bgd ,horse-manure1 ,composition of1 #cjf ,hot-beds1 ,manure for1 #big ,human ,excrements1 ,composition of1 #cjh ,indian ,corn4 ,see ,corn4 ,irrigation on ,market ,gardens1 #bie ,jessup1 ,edward1 ,letter from1 #cdb ,johnson1 ,prof4 ,s4 ,w41 on the ,value of ,fertilizers1 #cbd ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments on ,barley1 #bbg ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments on ,oats1 #beb ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments on ,permanent ,meadows1 #bga ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments on the ,amount of ,excrements ,voided by ,man1 #cji ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments on ,sugar beets and ,mangel-wurzels1 #bhh ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments on ,wheat1 #agj ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments1 ,potash ,beneficial for ,barley1 #cbi ,lawes' ,table1 ,showing ,composition and ,value of ,foods1 #de ,lettuce1 ,manure for1 #bhi 0 ,superphosphate for1 #bij-bic ,lewis1 ,hon4 ,harris1 ,letter from1 #ajc ,liebig's ,special ,manures1 #cba ,lime as ,manure1 #bae 0 ,beneficial ,effect of for ,thirty ,years1 #baf 0 ,changes the ,chemical and ,physical ,character of the ,soil1 #bbd 0 ,composting with ,old ,sods1 #bbd 0 for ,cabbage1 #bib 0 ,hastens the ,maturity of the ,crop1 #bbb 0 ,impoverishes the ,soil1 #bbb 0 in ,connecticut1 #bbd 0 in ,delaware1 #bbc 0 in ,new ,jersey1 #bbc 0 in ,pennsylvania1 #bbd 0 ,mixed with ,barn-yard ,manure1 #bbb 0 on ,grass ,land1 #bbc 0 on ,lime-stone ,land1 #bag 0 ,quantity per ,acre1 #baf 0 ,sets ,free ,ammonia in the ,soil1 #bba 0 ,silicate ,absorbs ,ammonia from ,atmosphere1 #bai 0 ,when to ,apply1 #bbc 0 ,why ,beneficial1 #bbj ,liquid ,manure1 #cjf ,lowland1 ,draining1 #cj ,malt-combs1 #df ,mangel-wurzels for ,manure1 #dh 0 0 ,manure for1 #ajc-bhf-bhh 0 0 ,yield per ,acre1 #aa ,manure ,absorbing ,liquid1 #aae 0 ,amount from ,feed and ,bedding1 #gh 0 ,amount ,made by a ,horse1 #ej-cdf 0 0 ,made by ,horses1 ,cows1 ,sheep1 and ,pigs1 #ea 0 ,amount ,made on a #bej-;acre ,farm1 #beg 0 ,amount of ,rain ,required to ,dissolve1 #bfg 0 ,amount of ,straw in ,horse1 #cdf 0 and ,rotation of ,crops1 #bdf 0 ,applying ,artificial1 #cab 0 ,applying ,near the ,surface1 #bfg 0 ,applying on the ,surface1 #agc 0 as ,top-dressing1 #bfi 0 ,barn-yard for ,barley1 #bdj 0 ,barn-yard vs4 ,artificial for ,indian ,corn1 #bhd 0 ,basin for1 #ib 0 ,best for ,hay1 #bgd 0 ,bone-dust1 #cad-caf 0 ,brings in ,red ,clover1 #hb 0 ,buying1 #cjf 0 ,buying by ,measure or ,weight1 #cje 0 ,buying by the ,load or ,ton1 #cjf 0 ,cellar1 #aad 0 ,cheapest a ,farmer ,can ,use1 #abg 0 ,clover as1 #aai-abb 0 ,clover-seed as1 #abg 0 ,comes from the ,land1 #db 0 ,common ,salt as1 #bjj 0 ,composition of ,fresh ,barnyard1 #ea 0 ,composition of from ,different ,animals1 #cjf 0 ,composition of ,heap at ,different ,periods1 #eg 0 ,corn-meal for1 #ahe 0 ,cost of ,hauling1 #cdb 0 ,cost of ,loading and ,drawing1 #gg 0 ,cow1 #hg-ajj 0 ,dairy-farm1 ,how to ,save and ,apply1 #aad 0 ,dr4 ,vlcker's ,experiments on1 #ea 0 ,drawing ,out to the ,field1 #hi 0 ,english ,plan of ,keeping1 #fi 0 ,equivalent to ,water1 #bif 0 ,farm-yard for ,potatoes1 #bfa 0 ,fermenting in ,winter1 #he-ib-ic 0 ,fermenting1 ,shrinkage in1 #aaf 0 ,fire-fang1 #hd-ih 0 ,fish1 as1 on ,long ,island1 #cdg 0 ,foods which ,make ,rich1 #de 0 for ,cabbage1 ,parsnips1 ,onions1 ,carrots1 ,lettuce1 etc1 #bhi 0 for ,corn1 #hj 0 for ,grass1 #hb 0 for ,hops1 #bgd 0 for ,hot-beds1 #big 0 for ,indian ,corn1 #bge 0 for ,mangel-wurzels and ,sugar-beets1 #bhg 0 for ,market ,gardens1 #bid 0 for ,oats1 #beb 0 for ,potatoes1 #bee 0 for ,seed-growing ,farms1 #bif 0 for ,sorghum or ,chinese ,sugar-cane1 #bhc 0 for ,tobacco1 #bge 0 for ,turnips1 #bhe-cbb 0 for ,wheat1 #afg 0 from ,cows1 #cjb 0 from ,earth-closet1 #caj 0 from ,oxen1 #cjc 0 from ,pigs1 ,mr4 ,lawes' ,experiments1 #cja 0 from ,sheep1 #cjc 0 ,grain ,farms1 ,management of1 #aag 0 ,guano1 ,price of ,now and ,thirty ,years ,ago1 #cbh 0 ,guano1 ,rectified ,peruvian1 #cai 0 ,gypsum and ,clover as1 #abe 0 ,heap1 ,changes in1 #fg 0 0 ,fermenting1 #ch 0 0 in ,winter1 #hd 0 0 ,piling in ,field1 #hh-hi-ij 0 0 ,turning1 #hh 0 ,hen1 #dc-ajd-cja 0 ,horse1 #cb-hf 0 ,horse and ,farm-yard1 #ej 0 ,how and ,when it ,should be ,applied1 #bfg 0 ,how ,john ,johnston ,manages it1 #gf 0 ,how ,made and ,used in ,maryland1 #cdi 0 ,how the ,deacon ,makes it1 #gd 0 ,how to ,make1 #da 0 ,how to ,make ,more1 #bef 0 ,how to ,make ,more and ,better on ,dairy ,farms1 #aje 0 ,how to ,make ,poor1 ,rich1 #bgd-bic 0 ,how to ,make ,richer1 #beg 0 ,how ,much it ,shrinks by ,fermentation1 #cdb 0 ,how ,much ,nitrogen in a ,load of1 #cjf 0 in ,kansas1 #cdj 0 in ,philadelphia1 ,interesting ,facts1 #cch 0 ,keeping ,under ,cover1 #ei 0 ,lime as1 #bae 0 ,liquid1 #cjf 0 ,management of in ,canada1 #cce 0 ,mr4 ,lawes' ,experiments with1 #ie 0 ,loss from ,leaching1 #ii 0 ,management of1 #id 0 ,market ,value of1 #ajd 0 ,mixed with ,lime1 #bbb 0 ,natural1 #bc 0 ,night soil as1 #cjh 0 ,nitrate of ,soda as1 #acd 0 ,not ,available1 #ie 0 on ,dairy ,farm1 #aja 0 on ,permanent ,meadows and ,pastures1 #bga 0 ,preserved by the ,soil1 #agg 0 ,pigs'1 #hf 0 ,piling1 #aaf 0 ,potash as1 #cbi 0 ,price of in ,boston1 #cdd 0 0 0 ,maryland1 #cci 0 0 0 ,new ,haven1 #cda 0 0 0 ,new ,york1 #ccd 0 0 per ,horse in ,new ,york1 #ccf 0 ,quantity ,made on a ,farm1 #ab 0 ,quantity of ,used on ,long ,island4 ,interesting ,statistics1 #ccf 0 ,reduced by ,fermentation1 #big 0 ,richer in ,plant-food than the ,food from which it is ,derived1 #cja 0 ,sea-weed as1 #ccg 0 ,sheep1 #hf 0 ,should be ,broken ,up ,fine1 #bfh 0 ,soluble ,phosphates in1 #gb 0 ,special1 #adj-cbj 0 ,specific ,gravity of from ,different ,animals1 #cje 0 ,spread in ,open ,yard1 #fc 0 ,stable1 ,management1 #ccc 0 ,straw and ,chaff as1 #bjj 0 ,superphosphate1 ,how ,made1 #cag 0 ,swamp-,muck as1 #bi 0 ,tank1 #aae 0 the ,author's ,plan of ,managing1 #hc 0 ,tillage as1 #cb-aba-bbe 0 ,top-dressing for ,wheat in ,kansas1 #cej 0 0 0 on ,growing ,crops1 #cdc 0 to ,what ,crops ,should it be ,applied1 #bfe 0 ,value of1 #gh 0 ,value of ,depends on the ,food1 ,not on the ,animal1 #dc 0 ,value of ,straw as1 #abc 0 ,water in1 #abd 0 ,weeds as1 #bd 0 ,weight of1 #cdc-cej 0 ,well-rotted1 ,composition of1 #fe 0 ,well-rotted1 ,loss from ,leaching1 #fe 0 ,what is it81 #ai-bb 0 ,why ,do ,we ,ferment81 #id ,market ,gardens1 ,irrigation in1 #bie 0 0 ,manure for1 #bid 0 0 ,pig-manure on1 #bie ,meadows1 ,manure for1 #bga ,night soil1 #bbe-cjh ,nitrate of ,potash1 #cab ,nitrate of ,soda1 #acd 0 0 ,acts ,quicker than ,ammonia1 #cac 0 0 as a ,top-dressing for ,wheat1 #bgj 0 0 ,composition of1 #cab 0 0 for ,apple ,trees1 #cad 0 0 for ,barley1 #bdc 0 0 for ,oats1 #beb 0 0 for ,onions1 #bid 0 0 for ,sugar-,beets1 #bhi 0 0 for ,wheat1 #aei 0 0 ,how to ,apply1 #cab ,nitric ,acid1 #cda ,nitrogen1 ,amount per ,acre in the ,soil1 #bh-afb 0 as ,manure1 #bh 0 in ,soils1 #ajf-bbf-ccf-cda 0 ,makes ,poor ,manure ,rich1 #bdf ,nurserymen1 ,manure for1 #big ,oats1 ,experiments on in ,virginia1 #bec 0 ,experiments on at ,moreton ,farm1 #bed 0 ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments on1 #beb 0 ,manures for1 #beb ,oil-cake for ,sheep1 #gf ,onions1 ,manure for1 #bid ,peas for ,pigs1 #ag ,pea-straw for ,manure1 #dh ,peat1 ,composition of1 #ca ,phosphates1 #bg 0 ,exhaustion of on ,dairy ,farms1 #aja 0 ,soluble in ,barn-yard ,manure1 #gb ,phosphoric ,acid in ,soils1 #ajf-bbf 0 0 per ,acre in ,soils1 #afb 0 0 ,retained by the ,soil1 #bai 0 0 ,removed from the ,farm by ,hay1 and by ,milch ,cows1 #caf ,pig ,manure1 #dc-hf 0 0 ,composition of1 #cjf 0 0 for ,cabbage1 #cjb ,pigs as ,manure-,makers for ,market ,gardeners1 #bie ,pigs' ,bedding1 #ca 0 for ,enriching ,pasture-,land1 #cjd 0 ,how to ,save ,manure from1 #cjd 0 ,manure from1 #cja-cjd ,piling ,manure1 #ig ,plant-food1 #ba-aje 0 0 ,amount of in an ,acre1 #bd-ci 0 0 in ,new and ,cultivated ,land1 #ci ,plaster for ,indian ,corn1 #bgg ,plowing in the ,fall1 #ag ,potash1 ,amount of in the ,soil1 #be-cbi 0 as ,manure1 #cbi 0 as ,manure for ,wheat1 #bae 0 for ,cabbages1 #bib 0 for ,potatoes1 #bee-bfj 0 for ,potatoes and ,root-,crops1 #ccj 0 ,how to ,ascertain when the ,soil ,needs1 #ccj 0 in ,nitrate of ,potash1 #cad 0 ,not a ,special ,manure for ,turnips1 #cbb 0 on ,grass ,land1 #bgc 0 our ,soils not so likely to be ,deficient in1 as of ,nitrogen and ,phosphoric ,acid1 #ccj 0 ,retained by the ,soil1 #bai 0 ,value of in ,artificial ,manures1 #cbf ,potatoes1 after ,root-,crops1 #bhg 0 ,ammonia for1 #bfa 0 ,cost of ,raising1 #aj 0 ,experiments on at ,moreton ,farm1 #bei 0 for ,manure1 #dh 0 ,how to ,raise a ,large ,crop1 #bee 0 ,manures for1 #bee 0 ,mr4 ,hunter's ,experiments on in ,england1 #bfj 0 on ,rich ,land1 #bfc 0 ,profits of ,using ,artificial ,manures on1 #bfc 0 ,will ,manure ,injure1 ,quality of1 #bfd ,rape-cake1 #df 0 0 as ,manure for ,hops1 #bgd ,roots1 ,amount of ,left in ,soil by ,different ,crops1 #afd ,root-crops1 #ag ,rotation of ,crops and ,manures1 #bdf ,rushmore1 ,j4 ,h41 ,letter from1 #cde ,routzahn1 ,h4 ,l41 ,letter from1 #cdi ,salt as a ,manure for ,wheat1 #bgj 0 ,common as ,manure for ,wheat1 #bjj 0 for ,mangel-wurzels1 #ajd ,saw-dust for ,bedding1 #ajc ,season1 a ,poor1 ,profitable for ,good ,farmers1 #bac 0 and ,manure for ,oats1 #bec 0 ,influence of on the ,growth of ,wheat1 #baj 0 ,profit in ,raising ,oats in a ,poor1 #bec 0 ,profit in ,raising ,barley in a ,poor1 #bdc ,seasons1 ,influence on ,crops1 #ba ,seed ,growers1 ,manures for1 #bif ,sewage1 #cjh ,sheep-,manure1 #cjc-ccc-cci 0 0 ,composition of1 #cjf 0 vs4 ,oxen as ,manure ,makers1 #cjc ,shelton1 ,prof4 ,e4 ,m41 ,letter from1 #cej ,soil1 ,composition of1 #add-aej 0 ,exhaustion of1 #bc-bg-ccb 0 from ,earth-closet1 #bbe 0 ,nitrogen and ,phosphoric ,acid in1 #bbf 0 ,plant-food in1 #aje 0 ,weight of per ,acre1 #bba ,soils ,absorb ,ammonia from ,atmosphere1 #bai 0 ,absorptive ,powers of1 #bag ,sorghum1 ,manures for1 #bhc ,special ,manures1 #cbj ,straw1 #bf 0 ,amount of ,manure from1 #abd 0 and ,chaff for ,manure1 #bjj 0 for ,manures1 #dh 0 on ,grain ,farms1 #aah 0 ,selling1 #abc ,sturtevant1 ,dr4 ,e4 ,l41 ,letter from1 #cdd ,superphosphate1 #aaf 0 for ,barley1 #bda 0 for ,indian ,corn1 #bgi 0 for ,potatoes1 #bei 0 for ,private ,gardens1 #bif 0 for ,turnips1 #bhe-cbb 0 for ,wheat1 #afh-afi 0 from ,bones1 ,composition of1 #cai 0 from ,mineral ,phosphates1 #cbj 0 ,how ,applied1 #cbj 0 on ,dairy ,farms1 #cae 0 on ,grass ,land1 #bgc 0 ,value of as ,compared with ,bone-,dust1 #cai 0 ,what ,crops ,best for1 #bdc ,superphospate of ,lime1 ,doctor ,tells ,how it is ,made1 #cag ,superphosphate of ,lime1 ,when ,first ,made in the ,united ,states1 #cbd ,surface ,application of ,manure1 #gj-bfh ,swamp-muck1 #bi 0 0 ,composition of1 #ca ,swine1 see ,pigs4 ,thomas1 ,j4 ,j41 ,remarks on the ,application of ,manures1 #bfi ,tillage is ,manure1 #cb-aba-afc-bbe ,tobacco1 ,manure for1 #bge ,top dressing with ,manure1 #bfi ,turnips1 ,do ,they ,absorb ,nitrogen from the ,atmosphere1 #bej 0 ,impoverish the ,soil ,more than ,grain1 #bej 0 ,manure for1 #bhe 0 and ,wheat1 ,special ,manures for1 #cba ,urine from ,farm ,animals ,richer than ,human1 #cji 0 vs4 ,solid ,manure1 #bid ,valuation of ,fertilizers1 #cbd ,water1 ,amount ,given ,off by ,plants ,during ,their ,growth1 #aca ,water ,equivalent to ,manure1 #bif ,weeds1 #ae-da-ahi ,weed-seeds in ,manure1 #ig ,weld1 ,col4 ,m4 ,c41 ,letter from1 #cdd ,wheat1 ,ammonia for1 #aib 0 ,artificial ,manures for ,should be ,drilled in with ,seed1 #afh-afi 0 ,common ,salt as ,manure for1 #bjj 0 ,crop1 ,composition of1 #bf-abi-ach-cdj 0 ,effect of ,manure on1 in ,poor ,season1 #bac 0 ,influence of ,season on1 #baj 0 is it ,deteriorating8 #ahi 0 ,larger ,crops per ,acre1 #abb 0 ,lawes' and ,gilbert's ,experiments on1 #adj-agj-ccc 0 ,manures for1 #afg 0 ,mr4 ,lawes' ,experiments on1 #abb 0 ,nitrogen as ,manure for1 #ada 0 ,plant-food in1 #aja 0 ,potash as ,manure for1 #bae 0 ,straw and ,chaff as a ,manure for1 #bjj 0 ,summer ,fallowing for1 #ce-afh 0 the #bjth ,crop on ,same ,land1 #bac 0 ,top-dressing for1 #bgj 0 vs4 ,corn1 ,comparative ,yield of1 #bgf 0 ,well-rotted ,manure for1 #bfg 0 ,why ,our ,crops are so ,poor1 #bad 0 ,yield per ,acre1 #aa 99 99 99 99 99 ,sent ,free on ,application ,descriptive ,catalog of ,rural ,books ,containing #abh #hvo ,pages1 ,profusely ,illustrated1 and ,giving ,full ,descriptions of the ,best ,works on the ,following ,subjects 3 3 3 3 ,farm and ,garden ,fruits1 ,flowers1 etc4 ,cattle1 ,sheep and ,swine ,dogs1 ,horses1 ,riding1 etc4 ,poultry1 ,pigeons and ,bees ,angling and ,fishing ,boating1 ,canoeing and ,sailing ,field ,sports and ,natural ,history ,hunting1 ,shooting1 etc4 ,architecture and ,building ,landscape ,gardening ,household and ,miscellaneous ,publishers and ,importers ,orange ,judd ,company #cae-cba ,fourth ,avenue ,,new ,,york ,books will be ,forwarded1 ,postpaid1 on ,receipt of ,price ,feeding ,farm ,animals ,by ,professor ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,this book is intended alike for the student and the farmer4 ,the author has succeeded in giving in regular and orderly sequence1 and in language so simple that a child can understand it1 the principles that govern the science and practice of feeding farm animals4 ,professor ,shaw is certainly to be congratulated on the successful manner in which he has accomplished a most difficult task4 ,his book is unquestionably the most practical work which has appeared on the subject of feeding farm animals4 ,illustrated4 #e #h inches4 ,upward of #ejj pages4 ,cloth4 #b4jj ,profitable ,dairying ,by ,c4 ,l4 ,,peck4 ,a practical guide to successful dairy management4 ,the treatment of the entire subject is thoroughly practical1 being principally a description of the methods practiced by the author4 ,a specially valuable part of this book consists of a minute description of the far-famed model dairy farm of ,rev4 ,j4 ,d4 ,detrich1 near ,philadelphia1 ,pa4 ,on the farm of fifteen acres1 which twenty years ago could not maintain one horse and two cows1 there are now kept twenty-seven dairy cattle1 in addition to two horses4 ,all the roughage1 litter1 bedding1 etc41 necessary for these animals are grown on these fifteen acres1 more than most farmers could accomplish on one hundred acres4 ,illustrated4 #e #g inches4 #bjj pages4 ,cloth4 #j4ge ,practical ,dairy ,bacteriology ,by ,dr4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,conn1 of ,wesleyan ,university4 ,a complete exposition of important facts concerning the relation of bacteria to various problems related to milk4 ,a book for the classroom1 laboratory1 factory and farm4 ,equally useful to the teacher1 student1 factory man and practical dairyman4 ,fully illustrated with #hc original pictures4 #cdj pages4 ,cloth4 #e #h inches4 #a4be ,modern ,methods of ,testing ,milk and ,milk ,products ,by ,l4 ,l4 ,van,s,l,y,k,e4 ,this is a clear and concise discussion of the approved methods of testing milk and milk products4 ,all the questions involved in the various methods of testing milk and cream are handled with rare skill and yet in so plain a manner that they can be fully understood by all4 ,the book should be in the hands of every dairyman1 teacher or student4 ,illustrated4 #bad pages4 #e #g inches4 #j4ge ,animal ,breeding ,by ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,this book is the most complete and comprehensive work ever published on the subject of which it treats4 ,it is the first book which has systematized the subject of animal breeding4 ,the leading laws which govern this most intricate question the author has boldly defined and authoritatively arranged4 ,the chapters which he has written on the more involved features of the subject1 as sex and the relative influence of parents1 should go far toward setting at rest the wildly speculative views cherished with reference to these questions4 ,the striking originality in the treatment of the subject is no less conspicuous than the superb order and regular sequence of thought from the beginning to the end of the book4 ,the book is intended to meet the needs of all persons interested in the breeding and rearing of live stock4 ,illustrated4 #dje pages4 #e #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,forage ,crops ,other ,than ,grasses ,by ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,how to cultivate1 harvest and use them4 ,indian corn1 sorghum1 clover1 leguminous plants1 crops of the brassica genus1 the cereals1 millet1 field roots1 etc4 ,intensely practical and reliable4 ,illustrated4 #bhg pages4 #e #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,soiling ,crops and the ,silo ,by ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,the growing and feeding of all kinds of soiling crops1 conditions to which they are adapted1 their plan in the rotation1 etc4 ,not a line is repeated from the ,forage ,crops book4 ,best methods of building the silo1 filling it and feeding ensilage4 ,illustrated4 #cfd pages4 #e #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,the ,study of ,breeds ,by ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,origin1 history1 distribution1 characteristics1 adaptability1 uses1 and standards of excellence of all pedigreed breeds of cattle1 sheep and swine in ,america4 ,the accepted text book in colleges1 and the authority for farmers and breeders4 ,illustrated4 #cga pages4 #e #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej ,clovers and ,how to ,grow ,them ,by ,,thomas ,,shaw4 ,this is the first book published which treats on the growth1 cultivation and treatment of clovers as applicable to all parts of the ,united ,states and ,canada1 and which takes up the entire subject in a systematic way and consecutive sequence4 ,the importance of clover in the economy of the farm is so great that an exhaustive work on this subject will no doubt be welcomed by students in agriculture1 as well as by all who are interested in the tilling of the soil4 ,illustrated4 #e #g inches4 #ccg pages4 ,cloth4 ,net4 #a4jj ,land ,draining ,a handbook for farmers on the principles and practice of draining1 by ,,manly ,,miles1 giving the results of his extended experience in laying tile drains4 ,the directions for the laying out and the construction of tile drains will enable the farmer to avoid the errors of imperfect construction1 and the disappointment that must necessarily follow4 ,this manual for practical farmers will also be found convenient for reference in regard to many questions that may arise in crop growing1 aside from the special subjects of drainage of which it treats4 ,illustrated4 #bjj pages4 #e #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,barn ,plans and ,outbuildings ,two hundred and fifty-seven illustrations4 ,a most valuable work1 full of ideas1 hints1 suggestions1 plans1 etc41 for the construction of barns and outbuildings1 by practical writers4 ,chapters are devoted to the economic erection and use of barns1 grain barns1 horse barns1 cattle barns1 sheep barns1 cornhouses1 smokehouses1 icehouses1 pig pens1 granaries1 etc4 ,there are likewise chapters on birdhouses1 doghouses1 tool sheds1 ventilators1 roofs and roofing1 doors and fastenings1 workshops1 poultry houses1 manure sheds1 barnyards1 root pits1 etc4 #bce pages4 #e #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4jj ,irrigation ,farming ,by ,,lute ,,wilcox4 ,a handbook for the practical application of water in the production of crops4 ,a complete treatise on water supply1 canal construction1 reservoirs and ponds1 pipes for irrigation purposes1 flumes and their structure1 methods of applying water1 irrigation of field crops1 the garden1 the orchard and vineyard1 windmills and pumps1 appliances and contrivances4 ,new edition1 revised1 enlarged and rewritten4 ,profusely illustrated4 ,over #ejj pages4 #e #g inches4 ,cloth4 #b4jj ,forest ,planting ,by ,h4 ,,nicholas ,,jarchow1 ,,ll4 ,d4 ,a treatise on the care of woodlands and the restoration of the denuded timberlands on plains and mountains4 ,the author has fully described those ,european methods which have proved to be most useful in maintaining the superb forests of the old world4 ,this experience has been adapted to the different climates and trees of ,america1 full instructions being given for forest planting of our various kinds of soil and subsoil1 whether on mountain or valley4 ,illustrated4 #bej pages4 #e #g inches4 ,cloth4 #a4ej 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,errors and ,anomalies noted by transcriber3 ,close quotes have been supplied or deleted where unambiguous1 and paragraph-ending full stops 7periods7 have been silently supplied4 ,no other attempt was made to regularize quotation format or punctuation4 ,the ,deacon1 the ,doctor1 the ,squire1 ,charlie the name is spelled 8,charley0 everywhere else it would seem desirable to apply the superphosphate text reads 8superhosphate0 wherever agri-culture is practised4 so in original ,turning over1 and fining a manure-heap word 8fining0 probably technical term1 not error said the ,doctor1 8but value40 8,suppose1 ,deacon10 said he quotation marks as in original 7same speaker7 carbonaceous matter and water1 of little or no value80 text has question mark after close quote ,it would be a very exceptional case4 word 8,it0 illegible 8#g4 ,in the insoluble organic matters number #g missing from original2 adjacent paragraphs have #f and #h would be reduced to #di4f-aj tons numeral format as in original3 #di-f_/aj or #di4f1 though computed total is #di4ejh ,dr4 ,vlcker draws the following conclusions text reads 8,voelcker0 with separate vowels ,it is high1 rolling land1 but needed underdraining4 text reads 8under _/ draining0 at line break without hyphen 8,why so80 asked the ,deacon4 text has question mark after close quote and consequently will ferment or putrefy much more rapidly text reads 8putrify0 crenic and apocrenic acids are produced text reads 8aprocrenic0 #ajj tons of hay lying dormant text reads 8dorment0 endeavor to persuade them to eat more text reads 8persaude0 when we draw deductions from the facts of the case text reads 8the the case0 and ,i think the mechanical condition of the land text reads 8mechancial0 0,in #fgb lbs4 of clover-ash1 we find3 open quote missing ,organic matter99 444 #fd4gf text reads 8,oganic0 8,now10 said the ,doctor1 8444 in the soil40 8,there was more clover-roots per acre444 unclear whether speaker is the same for both paragraphs 7delete close quote7 or changes 7from the ,doctor to ,harris7 ,for the superphosphate of lime1 text reads 8superphoshate0 ,table ,,vii4--,manures and ,produce2 #gth ,season1 #ahdi-ej4 #f;b 44 99#jj #bjj first digit of number is missing3 probably 8#cjj0 ,even gold may be bought too dear4 text reads 8to dear0 ,the value of quick-lime as a manure anomalous hyphen in original ,table ,,iv4--,offal ,corn per ,acre--lbs4 #a ,n4 7#id7bhc #aji 444 #b ,n4 #bbh #bhf 444 double lines as printed3 should be one year earlier8 cotton-seed-cake hyphenation as in original 7two occurrences72 similarly 8,beech-nut-cake01 8,palm-oil-cake0 etc4 fish-scrap1 woollen-rags1 ,peruvian guano hyphens as in original the plants _/ came up first1 and exhibited a healthy1 dark-green text reads 8exhibted0 for sugar-making purposes1 or for fodder text reads 8foddder0 ruta-bagas hyphenation is standard for this text ,isn't it paying a little too much for the whistle8 text reads 8,is'nt0 ,and this fact ought to be understood text reads 8,an this fact0 with invisible 8d0 ,the plaintain1 which ,i believe is sometimes sown spelling 8plaintain0 as in original 444 his book on ,manure1 8,praktische ,dngerlehre10 ,dr4 ,emil ,wolff text reads 8,wollf0 ,index ,note that the ,index uses short dashes where commas would be expected ,crops ,best to ,apply ,manure to 8,crops0 entries printed out of sequence1 between 8,corn0 and 8,cotton0 ,farm ,dairy _/_/ ,mr4 ,joseph ,o4 ,sheldon's name in body text is ,james ,o4 ,sheldon