SECRETARY'S REPORT. 121 



plied to corn and root crops, and in amount varying from one hundred 

 and fifty to four hundred pounds per acre, generally in the hill, in ad- 

 dition to other manures. The sale of Peruvian Guano, this year, has 

 heen twelve or fifteen tuns. The effect remains to he seen. If possi- 

 ble, I will communicate the result as soon as known." 



FKOM OKKIN FULLER. 



* 



" In Lagrange, special means arc used to increase the quantity of 

 manure, such as building barn cellars, bedding horses and cattle with 

 straw and coarse litter, the use of muck composted or hauled out and 

 exposed to the frost of winter ; and we are beginning to realize the 

 value of the droppings of our domestic fowls, the suds on washing 

 days, and some do not forget to manufacture poudrette according to 

 their means. 



Stable manures are generally used in a crude state ; but there is no 

 doubt the better way is to compost it. I think fifty or even one hun- 

 dred per cent, might be added to our manures by reasonable care. 



Swamp muck and peat abound in this town, and have been consider- 

 ably used, by hauling into barn-yards, by exposing to the frosts of 

 winter, and then using as other manures, by spreading and ploughing 

 in or harrowing. In either case, its effects are good, making the 

 ground very mellow, and producing a generous increase of crops. 



Guano and super-phosphate of lime have not been used, except of 

 home manufacture. Plaster has been used on farms W'here the soil is 

 rather dry, with good effect." 



FKOM JABEZ D. HILL, MOSCOW. 



" I have built a cellar under my barn 30 x 42 feet ; stone wall about 

 5^ feet high, upon which the sills of the barn rest. The cellar ex- 

 tends about 2^ feet above the sills. On the bank side of this cellar, 

 and in it, is the " tie-up," and all the manure made in it is thrown into 

 the cellar immediately in the rear of the cattle. This cellar is supplied 

 with more or less muck, (just as I can find tiaie to furnish it) litter in 

 the shape of straw, weeds, brakes, &c., to absorb the urine from the 

 cattle. In the winter my sheep are " yarded " in this cellar ; -in sum- 

 .mer my cows are " yarded " there. In dull weather during haying 

 time, this manure is forked over, so as to give the excrements of the 

 animals, muck, straw, &c., a thorough mixing, and allow it to ferment 

 a little faster than it will while trodden down solid by the feet of 

 cattle. Soap suds and other slops from the house are thrown upon 

 this heap of manure, as well as hen dung from the roosts. 



In the fall, when I get leisure, I cart it out to the field and drop it ia 

 suitable heaps for spreading ; taking care to have as little time elapse- 



