114 SURFACE MANURING AND TOP DRESSING. 



the soluble parts -will be carried down with every rain, and be more 

 intimately and perfectly mixed with the soil, than by any other dis- 

 position of it. I am aware that many are opposed to this mode of 

 applying manure, supposing that there is a loss of ammonia and 

 other gases. But I believe practice has almost invariably shown 

 better results of crops from manure well incorporated with the im- 

 mediate surface soil, than when buried to any considerable depth by 

 the plongh. 



I am not prepared to recommend the practice which is being 

 adopted by many very observing men, of applying the manure upon 

 the surface of ploughed land without any attempt to incorporate it 

 with the soil, although I think there is not tliat loss by the escape 

 of gases, or by evaporation, that is generally supposed, and un- 

 questionably the effect of this practice simply as a mulch is very 

 beneficial, I hope the circular issued last spring, proposing an ex- 

 periment in the application of manure, will be promptly responded 

 to by practical men in all parts of the State. People may theorize 

 as much as they please, but after all, it is by experiment alone, that 

 we can arrive at definite and reliable conclusions. 



In regard to top dressing grass land, I think its importance can- 

 not be too strongly recommended to the attention of the farmers of 

 this State. In my opinion more clear profit is derived from manure 

 applied in this way, than by any other application of it. 



Hay is and will be the staple crop of Maine. Upon this, her 

 farmers are mainly dependant for means to enrich their soil aiid to 

 replenish their purses. It is moreover raised and secured with 

 much less labor than any other crop. I very much doubt whether 

 an acre of fertile soil in Maine can be made to return so much clear 

 ])rnfit with any other crop, and if so, the exceptions are few. I reason 

 therefore, that such application of manure, as will most benefit the 

 hay crop, is the most profitable for the farmer to adopt. Allen in 

 his American Farm Book says, " if land produces at the rate of 

 two tons per acre, the salts are taken out of it to the amount of up- 

 wards of 300 lbs. per annum. No soils but such as are periodically 

 flooded with enriching waters, can long suffer such a drain with im- 

 punity. They must be renewed with the proper manures or barren- 

 ness will ensue."' He recommends ashes, lime, bone dust and gyp- 

 sum, as being essential to maintain fertilitv. And to ensure the 



