150 CAMPBELL'S SOIL CULTURED MANUAL 



thus mixing the manure to a considerable extent with the 

 top three inches of soil. We followed this by plowing 

 six or seven inches deep, using a rod on the beam to 

 turn everything under. This is then followed by the 

 sub-surface packer which treatment results in firmly 

 packing the soil and manures firmly at the bottom of 

 the furrow. The reader should refer back to cuts No. 

 1, 2, 3, and 4, especially to note what we mean in \his 

 regard. The plowing under of manure that has not 

 been well distributed is likely to leave the ground as in 

 cut No. 1, which is evidently a condition that will not 

 only waste the natural strength of the soil, but be waste- 

 ful to the manure that has been turned uncler. By use of 

 the sub-surface packer the mixing is not only made per- 

 fect, but the manure is brought into actual contact wth 

 the soil, when the proper processes bring about the de- 

 velopment of the humus. Only slight moisture is neces- 

 sary to develop the decomposition if the mixing is well 

 done; much moisture will hardly suffice if the mixing 

 and packing is not done. 



The history of our experience in this matter well illus- 

 trates the common experience of others. In 1882 upon 

 a South Dakota farm we gave a liberal coating of barn- 

 yard manure, plowed it under, and worked it down as 

 best we could after the manner usually practiced in old 

 Vermont. The rainfall during that season was quite 

 liberal and timely. The piece, about five acres, was plant- 

 ed to corn and well cultivated, with such good results, 

 that we decided to treat the manure question with the 

 same care and economy as we were wont to do in the 

 East. The same plan was followed out in 1883, with a 

 total loss of all the crops which were planted on that 

 ground. A small attempt was made again in 1884, with 



