114 TOBACCO LEAF. 



WHAT TO USE AND HOW TO APPLY IT. 



[For analysis of manures, mammal substances, etc., used on tobacco, 

 consult Table IV, Pages 112 and 113.] 



Manure. In former times, the excrement of do- 

 mestic animals was the only plant food at the command 

 of the grower ; it was the only dependence, and its use 

 has not ceased, for it is still largely relied upon, although 

 it is now generally used in conjunction with other fer- 

 tilizers, as a sort of foundation upon which to build. It 

 is still one of the most important fertilizing materials at 

 the command of the tobacco grower, and it is more 

 universally used than any other single substance. It 

 is surely entitled to receive the first consideration. But 

 it is now applied with an understanding of its deficiencies 

 as well as excellences, and often for different purposes 

 in a different way than formerly. 



Barn Manure is a general term covering the mix- 

 ture of the excrement of cattle, horses and swine, or 

 that of cattle and swine only, or that of cattle only. 

 Horse manure, when kept distinct from the general 

 mass, is separately classed, and is used for special pur- 

 poses. On the ordinary farm, manure is a mixture of 

 the excrement of the leading farm animals. There are 

 several striking characteristics that are peculiarities of 

 barn manure. The most noticeable of these is the large 

 quantity of vegetable matter it contains ; and inciden- 

 tally the large amount of water. This organic matter is 

 the greatest peculiarity of manure, and from it certain 

 effects are produced in the soil that cannot be obtained 

 from any other fertilizer. Another peculiarity is that 

 manure is a complete fertilizer, it contains some of 

 every element that is required by growing crops, ni- 

 trogen, phosphoric acid and potash, as the more impor- 

 tant plant food elements, as well as lime and magnesia. 

 A third peculiarity is the variability of the quantities of 

 these food elements, depending upon the classes of 



