CAMPBELL'S SOIL CULTURE MANUAL 149 



there is none of this loss of fertility by drainage. The 

 light rainfall is therefore a distinct advantage in the 

 treatment of manures. 



But there is difficulty in making the best possible 

 application of manure. The atmosphere is dry and the 

 soil may remain dry for a long period, so that the ma- 

 nure lies dormant on top of the soil. This is not condu- 

 cive to nitrification or decomposition, and many farmers 

 have failed to get good results. Then it is a fact that 

 in the barnyard manure as it is gathered in this dry 

 country there is much loose and coarse straw in an al- 

 most perfect state of preservation, not very well fitted 

 for helping the soil. When the manure is plowed under, 

 as it must be to get the best results, the soil is so loose 

 and light that there is not sufficient weight to press the 

 whole down, and make such a compact mass as best 

 serves to make a good bed. The soil, with the fresh 

 fertilizer mixed in, has retained an open and porous con- 

 dition down to a considerable depth, which proves a 

 detriment to the soil, with the natural result that the 

 crop burns out and weeds gain the ascendency. The 

 throwing of coarse manure on the top of the ground, 

 leaving it in bunches, then plowing it under without 

 special care in packing is of little value. In fact, this 

 system of applying manure brings about a condition 

 frequently much worse than if none had been applied. 

 Especially is this true in the semi-arid region, where 

 much greater care must be taken to get the manure 

 perfectly mixed with the soil. 



MANNER OF APPLYING 



The best results have always been had in the semi- 

 arid country by having the manure applied with a spread- 

 er, then using a sharp disk to double-disk the surface, 



