232 



Poudrette. 



Vol. V. 



has made it appear probable that by adopting 

 moveable hurdles, and the soiling system — 

 which consists in taking the crops to the 

 cattle, and not the cattle to the crops — almost 

 all the unsightly worm, and other fences, 

 might be removed, to the advantage of an 

 improved husbandry in general, and neatness 

 of appearance in particular ; it being only 

 necessary to construct the hurdles that are 

 designed for fencing against horses and cattle, 

 of stronger materials than for sheep. 



Before the meeting broke up, it was Re- 

 solved, unanimously, 



" That the Farmers' Cabinet is deserving 

 our united and individual support and com- 

 mendation. The style of its embellishments, 

 its numerous original communications, and 

 judiciously selected articles from other pub- 

 lications, rendering it a work of merit, and a 

 valuable record of useful information, ' wor- 

 thy the state and the country.' 



" Joshua Sharrold, Secretary" 

 Schuylkill County, January 28, 1841. 



To the Editor of the Farmers' Cabinet. 

 Poudrette. 



Sir, — I am desirous of knowing if any of 

 your readers, in this part of the country, have 

 used the manure denominated poudrette, in a 

 way to be able to speak decidedly as to its 

 relative merits, and the best mode of applica- 

 tion. 



In an advertisement put forth by the " New 

 York Poudrette Company," which has fallen 

 into my hands, the account is, of course, flat- 

 tering ; but it would be more satisfactory if 

 some of our friends on this side the water 

 could join their testimony, resulting from 

 actual experience. That the article is power- 

 ful in its efficacy, it is but reasonable to con- 

 clude, but from observations that have fallen 

 from some who profess to have used it, one 

 would be led to conjecture that its effects 

 would not be very lasting — on the principle 

 perhaps that what is violent is seldom per- 

 manent ; nor would it appear certain that the 

 opinion, as to its suitableness for autumnal 

 use, is as flattering as for spring dressing: 

 to be sure, the introduction of the article to 

 notice is but of recent date, and it might re- 

 quire a longer time, to enable one to form a 

 just opinion of its relative value ; yet, in the 

 hands of a disinterested practical man, the 

 matter might soon be decided. I take leave 

 to use the term disinterested, seeing that the 

 testimony in its favour, contained in the bill 

 ot advertisement, comes from persons whose 

 names appear on the list of stockholders of 

 the company. But I have no desire whatever 

 to detract from its merits — far otherwise — 

 for if it can be shown that the poudrette is 

 only equal, in value, to the manure usually 



purchased, the difference in the cartage will 

 be quite sufficient, in the judgment of every 

 practical man, to decide all question in its 

 favour. No one but a practical man could 

 calculate the labour, and particularly the 

 value of the time expended in carrying two 

 hundred loads of manure per annum, a dis- 

 tance of three miles, to the farm ! it is mon- 

 strous, even to think of; but he will soon 

 calculate the difference between carrying 

 twenty loads of manure, and thirty bushels 

 of poudrette — which are accounted equal in 

 fertilizing properties — and this will be deci- 

 sive with him. 



The use of this article has long been known 

 in England by the name of "desiccated night 

 soil," and large quantities have been sent to 

 the West Indies for manuring their cane 

 lands, for which it is understood to be very 

 suitable; while in the fields around London, 

 immense deposits are found in preparation, in 

 all its different stages. I have, however, an 

 idea that its use is more approved as a dress- 

 ing for grass, or artificial green crops, than 

 for grain, for which it is considered too strong, 

 being apt to engender the rust. How far the 

 purifying process of forming it into poudrette 

 has sweetened its influences, is a question 

 which I should be glad to see decided. On 

 every part of the continent of Europe, night 

 soil is highly valued for its fertilizing powers ; 

 but as the inhabitants are not such a beef- 

 eating community as we are, it is of impor- 

 tance that every opportunity for accumulating 

 manure should be embraced. But in China, 

 we are told, it reaches its intrinsic value, 

 being there considered like " old gold" — 

 and hence, perhaps, it is, that " night men," 

 in England, are named " Gold-finders." I 

 remember once working a mine of this sort, 

 which, having mixed with earth and exposed 

 abroad until it was purified, I used as a top- 

 dressing for wheat, in the spring : the effect 

 was astonishingly great, the straw and ears 

 being twice as large as those in any other 

 part of the field ; but it was completely de- 

 stroyed by the rust, while the remainder of 

 the crop was free from blight of every de- 

 scription, and proved a fine sample. And I 

 was reminded of this experiment when read- 

 ing the note at page 179 of the Cabinet for 

 January, where it is said that much of the 

 injury which is placed to the account of 

 canker, mildew, &c., will, on investigation, 

 prove to originate in the unwholesome sup- 

 ply or impurity of food : and this, I have no 

 doubt, is the fact. 



In the hope of receiving, through the pages 

 of the Cabinet, the information which I am 

 seeking on this important subject, 1 am. 

 Respectfully, 



Jacob Smith. 



Bucks County. 



