1846.] Manures — their ^application. 47 



MANURES— THEIR APPLICATION. 



BY C. N. BEMENT. 



On the subject of manures much has been written, and much 

 has been saidj still it is fertile and full of interest. The subject 

 cannot, in my opinion, be too frequently agitated, or brought into 

 view, nor too strongly urged. 



When we consider how much the productiveness of our farms 

 depends upon the manure heap, and how much this matter is at 

 times neglected, a few remarks, I trust, will not be unacceptable; 

 and although familiar to most of you, if they stimulate any per- 

 son to apply them, who has hitherto neglected to do so, the object 

 in making them will be obtained. 



The collection and application of manures, I consider to be the 

 grand secret in good farming. It gives us grass and grain. It is 

 by a liberal application of manure that extraordinary crops have 

 been obtained. It is consequently an object of minute attention 

 to collect as much as possible, and to apply it in the most advan- 

 tageous manner. Although there is little danger of applying too 

 great a quantity to land, it may be used to excess. Indian corn 

 is a voracious feeder, and will bear a copious dressing, but the 

 crops of small grain may be injured by manuring too highly. 



Manuring the soil forms a grand item in farming, both on ac- 

 count of its expense and its need to replenish the land; it is, 

 therefore, very important to know the art of managing this de- 

 partment with the greatest economy, and preventing waste in any 

 possible shape. 



Very fiew farmers ever have a sufficiency of animal manures 

 for their purposes. Hence recourse must be had to other means 

 for augmenting the manure heaps. 



The great principle of all manures may be understood from this 

 fact, that whatever animal or vegetable substance dies, is con- 

 verted into manures for other plants in the living state, by the 

 natural process of putrefaction. By this process it is gradually, 



