FARM MANURES 47 



that already have considerable fertility sometimes require a light 

 application of manure to improve their texture. Large applica- 

 tions of manure on such soils would not be profitable. Most 

 farmers use too much on their land at one time. Frequent light 

 applications are more beneficial than large amounts applied at 

 long intervals, as they keep the soil in an even state of fertihty 

 and losses by volatilization of nitrogen as gases and leaching of 

 the soluble elements are less. Experiments show that small ap- 

 plications give greater percentage increase than large applications 

 although large applications give larger yields. 



Sometimes manure does not furnish sufficient plant food to 

 satisfy t^ie needs of the crop. An addition of some commercial 

 fertilizer which supplies the necessary fertihzer constituents is 

 beneficial in such cases to supplement the manure. 



How to Apply Manure. — It is best to spread the manure over 

 the land as it is hauled. Some farmers dump the manure in little 

 piles over the field and leave it in this condition for two or three 

 months. When fermentations take place in these piles nitrogen 

 passes off in the air. This practice is objectionable because the 

 soil under and around the piles gets most of the available plant 

 food that is leached out, and the other soil does not receive its 

 share. The result is that the succeeding crops grow uneven or in 

 patches. There is no objection to dumping manure in small 

 piles over the field if it is spread immediately. The hauling of 

 manure to the field and hand spreading it is perhaps the common 

 method used in this country. It is difficult to spread manure 

 evenly in this way and after the manure is distributed, a brush 

 drag should be used to scatter it more evenly. Manure spreaders 

 distribute manure more evenly than any of the other methods in 

 use. They are labor saving machines and although they usually 

 carry less per unit of draft, they are considered a good invest- 

 ment for those who have much manure to spread. A ton of 

 manure spread uniformly gives better results than a larger amount 

 applied unevenly. 



