72 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



— if it be an advantage — is that the ground is in better condition for 

 the next succeeding croi). 



All manures for garden crops should be well rotted and pulverized 

 before being used. In the absence of old manure, green may be 

 composted and fin^d, and made to answer a very good purpose for 

 garden dressing. It is better to apply in the fall, and thoroughly 

 mix with the soil. Plow deep and let the ground remain in the rough. 



In regard to hoio manure should be applied for most profit, I 

 must differ from many practical farmers and writers. It will be 

 recollected that some twenty years ago, there was much written and 

 presented to the farmers thiough the agricultural press in favor of 

 top dressing. The theor}-, based upon scientific principles, is still 

 advocated and practiced by some, but the results of experiments 

 have greatly lessened the number of its former adherents. That this 

 is a cheap method of dressing the land is true ; but that it is the 

 most profitable method is not true, in my opinion, an opinion formed 

 upon the results of numerous and varied experiments. To keep our 

 grass fields continually in hay b}' this method, frequent and bountiful 

 applications of farm-yard manure are necessar\'. A good quantity of 

 hay may be produced and kept up for awhile, but the quality will be 

 inferior. The bottom will be fine and thick, and frequently have a 

 strong taste which cattle do not relish. If I had plenty of manure, 

 and was able to lose fift}" per cent of it, I might adopt the cheap and 

 easv method of surface dressinor. But I have no confidence in it as 

 the best or even a good method for the common farmer to pursue. 



I have had considerable experience in raising hay. This is my 

 leading crop. It is raised for market, and it is for m}' interest to 

 follow the cheapest and most remunerative plan. When I began to 

 make ha}' a specialty, in order to satisfy myself more full}- upon this 

 point, I carried on experiments through a number of 3'ears and un- 

 der various conditions. I have top-dressed grass land at different 

 seasons of the year — in the early spring, immediately after haying, 

 and in autumn. Manure has been applied in large quantities, in 

 medium quantities, and in small quantities ; it has been applied in 

 a green, coarse, unfermented state, in a partially rotted state, and in 

 a condition as perfect as could be made by the means at m^' com- 

 mand ; and in my candid judgment, taken as a whole, fully fifty per 

 cent of its fertilizing value was lost in the above experiments. 



The poorest results were from cow manure made the previous 

 winter, and applied, as I remember, about the middle of May. 

 There was no straw or other coarse material in this dung. It had 



