126 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



used as an absorbent, or in composts, though it has strong opponents 

 among that class who seldom read. They cry out against book 

 farming, and religiously follow the practices of their fathers. There 

 is a good supply of this article in town. Very few farms of one 

 hundred acres, but has its muck deposit. As its value becomes more 

 generally known, it will prove a mine of wealth to the farmers and 

 orchardists. Stable manures are not generally composted. 



Super-phosphate of lime and poudrette have not been tried to any 

 extent. Plaster is in common use, mostly on hoed crops ; some on 

 grass lands ; it has not produced that effect generally which is reported 

 of it elsewhere. Guano has had a few trials with but partial success, 

 owing, as is believed, to want of knowledge or judgment in its applica- 

 tion." 



mOM E. SAMPSON. 



" But very trifling attention is paid to the improvement of manures 

 in Bowdoinham, and they are generally used in a crude state. Fifty 

 per cent, might be saved or made on our farms, by reasonable care and 

 attention in protecting our manures from the weather, and adding a 

 proper quantity of swamp or meadow muck, leached or dry ashes, 

 and salt, and occasionally moving the same to prevent too great 

 fermentation, during the summer. In some sections of the town, 

 swamp muck is abundant, and has been used to a limited extent and 

 with good effect, even in a crude state.'" 



mOM E. B. KANDALE. 



"Some of the farmers in Limiugton, provide brakes, &c., for bed- 

 ding, and adding to their manures. jNIuck is used in the yards by 

 some. Stable manures are generally used in a crude state ; but I 

 think in common with all wlio understand the matter, that its value 

 is greatly increased by composting. Twenty-five per cent, might be 

 saved and added to that, by care and using ])ulverized muck, gypsum, 

 soil, weeds and the like, and keeping the manure under cover until it 

 is time to use it. My mode is to fork over winter manure about 

 fifteen or twenty days before using it, that it may heat, kill the weeds 

 in it, and be warm when applied to the ground, taking care to save 

 the gases while it is fermenting and guard against fire-fanging. 



Swamp muck or peat abounds with us, and it has been used by a few 

 to advantage. Used in hog-pens, stables, and cattle yards, it makes 

 one of the best composts for grain and grass. It shows in the grass 

 crop ten years after it is applied, over ox dung kept under cover, and 

 xised on the same piece of land, and at the same time. 



