70 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Aroostook farmers are wiser than their fathers. A new soil ma}' be 

 made to yield heav}' crops for a few years, h}' simply disturbing and 

 chanjjjing its physical condition, which is easily accomplished by 

 plowing and cultivating. B}' this easy mechanical process, the soil 

 is disintegrated and improved, and made to yield satisfactory crops 

 for a number of years without any sensible diminution. Notwith- 

 standing, they are heavily drawing on the resources of the soil all the 

 time ; and year by year its fertilitj' is being exhausted more rapidly 

 than would appear. 



We have been considering the soil, the manner in which its fertil- 

 ity is exhausted, and how it ma}' be restored ; and as barnyard ma- 

 nure is the most active and efficient agent in its restoration, we will 

 give our attention to the further consideration of its importance, and 

 also the different methods of application. 



Farmyard manure is undoubtedl}' by far the best fertilizer that 

 can be applied to our soils ; and at present, it is the only reliable 

 dressing containing all the properties the soil needs, upon which the 

 farmer can depend. From the care bestowed upon it we conclude 

 the value of the manure pile is greatly underrated by a large major- 

 ity of our farmers. Notwithstanding a large percentage is running 

 to waste through various channels, it is still the bank that never sus- 

 pends pa3'ment, and upon which the farmer is constantly drawing, 

 though with a lessening percentage of profit. 



The voidings of cattle contain all the material that has been taken 

 from the soil, less in amount by what has been assimilated in the 

 formation of flesh, bones, blood, dairy products, etc., and what es- 

 capes through the process of decomposition ; and, as this is the only 

 complete fertilizer we have, no man can fail to see the necessit}' of 

 its preservation from loss. 



In view of the great importance of the manure pile, every possi- 

 ble available means should be used not only to prevent waste, but 

 to increase its bulk and value ; and we ma}' rest assured that every 

 deposit made in this bank will pay a better interest than Government 

 bonds. 



All coarse fodder which is not eaten by cattle, such as large corn- 

 stalks, straw and other litter, may be converted into good soil dress- 

 ing by removing it to the yard and hog-pen, for the animals to work 

 over and mix with their excrements. The process of fermentation 

 and decomposition is constantly going on in warm weather, and if 

 the mass is forked over a few times during the summer, the process 



