No. 6. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 30:J 



Ihc soil sliould be ciirefiilly kept iu mind wlieii we piircluise ebcniical 

 manures. Of indireet manures, we shall consider only lime and 

 gypsum. The action of these is not well understood. They act in- 

 directly rendering available to a certain extent the phosphoric acid 

 and potash of tlie soil. Lime is most effective in reducing to as- 

 similable form the inert organic nitrogenous matter of the soil. 

 The growth of sorrel is a good indication that the soil is in need of 

 lime. The compound class includes barn manure whicli is undoubt- 

 edly the oldest and still the most popular of all manures. It lias 

 stood the test of long experience and is the most important of all 

 our fertilizers. By the careful saving and application of the ma- 

 nures produced on the farm the fertility of the soil may be largely 

 maintained. Especially is this the case if all the forage and grain 

 crops are fed upon the farm. But it is apparent that there are 

 many farmers who fail to appreciate the value of barn manure. We 

 see the manure carelessly thrown under the eaves of the barn; the 

 soluble fertility in a dark stream running from it, perhaps down 

 across the road and into the brook, thus contaminating the water 

 that animals must drink. Manure is never of more value than when 

 first made. Therefore as a general thing the sooner it is returned 

 to the land the less will be the loss. For the average farmer there 

 can be no better method than to haul and apply the manure as 

 made. Green manures may be made to occupy an important place 

 in the maintenance of fertility. The most important class of plants 

 for this purpose are the legumes notably the clovers, cow peas, etc. 

 We have already referred to the means by which this class of plants 

 obtain nitrogen from the air. The value of clover as a manurial 

 plant is pretty generally appreciated, though not every one is aware 

 that a luxuriant growth of cow peas may be secured right here in 

 this vicinity. At Woodbine Farm we grew one and one-half acres 

 last year and secured very satisfactory results though the peas were 

 not planted until June 15. The manurial value of the corn pea is 

 fully equal to that of clover. They grow very quickly and \vill thrive 

 on land too poor to produce clover. We can only here speak briefly 

 of these things, but would be pleased to answer any question you may 

 ask concerning them. 



As a general rule for maintaining fertility we would place our de- 

 pendence chietly upon barn manure and leguminous crops using com- 

 mercial manures as a supplement, ^^'e have already referred to 

 tillage as a means of maintaining fertility. The primary meaning of 

 the word manure is "to till." It comes from the French word 

 maneuver, to move with the hands, to stir, to till. As a method of 

 tillage we cannot speak of these at this time. Thanking you for 

 your kind attention, we commend the subject to your careful con- 

 sideration. 



