FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 161 



Farm Fertilizers. 



Olio of tlie first, both in our thought and degree of importance, is the inev- 

 itable accumulation upon every farm -where stock is kept. Our stable and 

 barn-yard manure embodies in its ciiemical composition a large collection of 

 valuable ingredients, and will admit of more profitable application to a variety 

 of crops than any other fertilizer. Properly preserved and judiciously applied, 

 its effects are seen in the growing corn, the waving wneat, and in the verdant 

 meadow. The more of this that can be applied, larger will be the farmer's 

 dividends. It is a custom among our farmers, perhaps a hirge majority of 

 them, to throw the cleanings from the stable into piles exposed to san, wind, 

 and rain. This custom, notwithstanding its universality, is a losing practice. 

 Exposed to drenching rains, much of its substance is carried to neigiiboring 

 ponds or distant swamps and is lost. Tliat wiiich does remain is subject to the 

 dissipating power of the sun. Its fertilizing properties are continually growing 

 less, rising into the air and carried by winds to other farms. Hence to retain 

 its full value it should be protected from these wasteful agencies. The expense 

 of such a protection would be a comparative trifle and an exceedingly profitable 

 investment. But if this fertilizer is left exposed, I know of no better treat- 

 ment than to supply in frequent and abundant quantities layers of straw with 

 a considerable sprinkling of plaster. The straw serves as an absorbent of the 

 liquid part, also as a covering, while the plaster decomposed unites with the 

 carbonic acid, lime, and ammonia, forming carbonate of lime and sulphate of 

 ammonia, non-volatile substances. 



The manner of applying is an important consideration and is subject to 

 mistaken ways. It is occasionally drawn during the winter wMien "there is 

 plenty time," put into small piles, and left to daily diminish in value. It is 

 true that during this season it can be convenienihj drawn, but iL is unwise to do 

 so. Better expend a few extra dollars, immediately previous to plowing, in 

 hauling and spreading, and thus utilize its whole substance. That this fertil- 

 izer is effective of good needs no argument to convince, the result of no experi- 

 ment to prove. The discriminating eye of every practical farmer has seen its 

 benefits; they are conspicuously obvious and ever convincing. In this place 

 we would not neglect to notice the liquid part, in view of its value. In portions 

 of England it is studiously preserved, and as habitually used as any other fer- 

 tilizer, and with a paying result. Our stables and barn-yards can be easily 

 constructed in a manner to conduct it into a cistern, from which ic can be 

 pumped into a wagon tank and with a sprinkler attachment distributed evenly 

 over the ground. From such a practice in an experimenting case within my 

 own observation, I can attest to its practicability and profitableness. 



While these agents are efficient fertilizers, they are nevertheless insufticient, 

 as they do not accumulate in quantities to supply the constant demand. This 

 deficiency that would exist has an ample provision in clover. When we com- 

 pare the cost and efiicacy of clover with the fertilizers of commerce, our judg- 

 ment passes at once in its favor; and when we consider that it is itself a 

 valuable crop, which, when stored in the barn, has enriched the soil, as its 

 roots continue to do, we denominate it the desideralu/n of farm fertiUzerf>. 

 >Si" we should be solicitous advocates of this agent. Look upon a field where 

 it has a rank and luxurious growth. Wo see a grand receptacle full of grow- 

 ing elements. Bury this with the plow and we have deposited where the 

 investment pays and dividends are sure. Upon an acre of the hirgest growth 

 there is contained in the clover about 150 lbs. of inorganic substances and 80 



