230 STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTURE. 



the humous substance Avhich is formed contains sensible quantities of combined 

 nitrogen. So, also, when sawdust, which contains but a very small amount of 

 nitrogen, decomposes under favorable circumstances, the quantity of combined 

 nitrogen is largely increased. While the mosses and grasses which form our 

 muck contain but a small amount of nitrogen, the muck contains on an average 

 2^ per cent of combined nitrogen. This may not seem a very large amount, 

 but when you consider that s'able manure contains only f of 1 i^er cent, you see 

 that swamp muck contains more than three times as much nitrogen as stable 

 manure ! In this one fact I believe we shall find our solution of the problem 

 how to obtain our supply of combined nitrogen. We need not send to the far- 

 oli Pacific coast. We have got Chili and Peru in our muck beds ! 



But this nitrogen for the most part is inert or inactive, and to be of service 

 must be converted into the active form. We have caught our colt, but we have 

 got to harness him before he will draw our load. I will say something about 

 the harness hereafter. 



AGEICULTURAL USES OF MUCK. 



The benefit which Ave seek to secure by tlie use of muck may spring from its 

 2)liysical and its chemical properties. 



I. Physical Properties. 



1. Muck may be used to improve the physical texture of soils. Tlie two kinds 

 of soils which require pliysical improvement are heavy clays and light sands. 

 The physical properties of these two kinds of soils are diametrically opposite to 

 each other, and they could be most effectually and permanently improved by 

 mixing ; Ijut the expense involved in transporting any large quantity of soil for- 

 bids this kind of improvement if the soil has to be moved any considerable 

 distance. 



Clay Lands. — When clay land is first brought under tillage, the quantity of 

 vegetable mold in such soil renders it easy to work for a few years ; but the veg- 

 etable mold soon disappears, the land becomes lighter colored, more stiff and 

 tenacious, and difficult to work. If it is now laid down to grass for a few years 

 and then plowed up, the c[uantity of vegetable matter has increased, and the 

 field is again easy to work for a time. If you do not want to lay it down to 

 grass, the same physical improvement may be secured by a liberal dose of swamp 

 muck. This substance renders clay lands more open and friable, and thus 

 greatly improves their physical condition. To get the best results, however, 

 this system must be combined with thorough drainage. In very wet clay lands, 

 it may only increase their tenacity by addition of muck. 



Light Sands. — On th€ other hand, light sands are made more firm and reten- 

 tive of moisture by vegetable mold. Light sands retain too little moisture, and 

 crops are liable to "^burn" in dry weather ; manure rapidly disappears in such 

 a soil, and they are called "hungry and leachy." Sucli soils may be greatly 

 benefited by a liberal dose of muck, which has a powerful affinity for moisture, 

 and prevents excessive drying of the soil. It has also the power of absorbing 

 and retaining manural matter, and of preventing its waste in the soil. When 

 lands become too open and porous, farmers often lay them down to grass to 

 "consolidate the soil." But this compacting of the soil is mainly due to the 

 accumulation of vegetable matter, and this may be secured by the direct appli- 

 cation of muck. 



2. Influence on Temperature. — Ben. Franklin di-:covered that dark colored 



