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MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 



It is a well-knowm fact in vegetable physiology that all plants do not extract from the soil the 

 same solid and volatile mineral elements: the elements removed in a crop of wheat are different 

 from those taken in a crop of turnips or potatoes, &c. &c. ; it is obvious, therefore, that to give to 

 the soil a compound vi^ithout discrimination as to the crop to be grown is a waste of material, and 

 the invention of the Professor, which is protected by patent, is consequently applied to the fabri- 

 cation of manures suited to every kind of crop. 



Though the fertility of our fields depends mainly on the mineral ingredients of the soil, it must 

 not be assumed that their state or condition is without influence ; and- it is not pretended that in 

 using these manui-es the mechanical operations which are known to increase the capability of 

 production are to be dispensed ^vith ; on the contrary, where those operations are carried on ac- 

 cording to the best and most improved principles, the efficacy of the manures will be the great- 

 est, their office being to replace what has been removed and what is indispensable toward se- 

 curing a crop. And, although the inventor has given such elements to the compounds as to ren- 

 der them agreeable to all descriptions of soil, it would not be without utility toward particular 

 adaptation, that the manufacturers were informed of the general qualities of the soil for which 

 they are required : whether arenaceous or calcareous, clayey or loamy, lighter stiff. 



As regards the cost attending the use of these manures, a slight consideration of the subject 

 ■will show that manuring with them will be cheaper than manuring in the ordinary way. For 

 instance, take the wheat manure ; the price is ten pounds a ton ; but five cwt. only are required 

 for an acre, and as every particle is adapted to and acts favorably on the crops, the farmer pays 

 only for what is useful to him, whereas hitherto he lias furnished his lands with the unnecessary 

 and useless along with the necessary and u.sefnl, paying for both at the same rate. Farther, it is 

 the object of these manures to render the change of crops and fallowing unnecessary and super- 

 fluous: WITH THEIII USE ONE AND THE SAME KIND OF CROP MAY BE GROWN YEAR AFTER YEAR 

 UPON THE SAME FIELD. 



It has already been observed that the composition of the " Patent Manures " is such as to coun- 

 teract the doubtful qualities of guano. It is therefore proposed to those farmers who use stable 

 dung or guano, to apply at the same time the " Patent Manures " as a top-dressing, although not 

 in the same quantity as if no other manure had been used. The farmer will, of course, be best 

 able to arrange this according to his other expenses. 



In using the " Patent Manures," lime and gypsum, &c., for grass-lands, both sown and meadow, 

 and for clover, can be entirely dispensed with. 



The " Patent Manures" maybe applied either broadcast or in drills. If the manure is strewed 

 over the surface, everj' small shower will dissolve some of its elements ; the water thus saturated 

 will filter through the soil, and bring them into contact with the absorbing ends — the roots. At 

 all events, it may be regarded as a rule that the "-Patent Manures" are to be placed near the 

 surface, and at a little distance from the seed. 



The manufacturers having placed the fabrication under the superintendence of a highly re- 

 spectable chemist — chosen by Profes.sor Liebig — can assure the public that no manure will leave 

 their premises without containing its full quantity of fertilizing matter, in exact accordance with 

 the principles of the inventor. 



Manure of each kind will be ready for the sowing seasons, and as the time for wheat is ap- 

 proaching, we respectfully request those parties who purpose using No. 1, to inform us of the 

 quantity they will require as early as possible. 



In conclusion, we may suggest that, as the solution of the problem of artificial manures is one 

 from which the greatest benefit must arise to the community at large, all results of our manures 

 should be communicated to us. or be made as public as possible. 



The manures are classed as follows: No. 1. Manure for wheat, rye, barley, oats. 2. Potatoes, 

 turnips, mangel-wurzel, beetroot, parsnips, and all bulbous roots. 3. Grass. 4. Clover, lucem, 

 peas, beans. 5. Tobacco. 6. Flax. 



The price per ton is £10 net cash, for wheat manure in Liverpool. MUSPRATT &; CO. 



THE PRINCIPLES OF ARTIFICIAL MANURING. 



BY PROFESSOR JUSTUS LIEBIG. 



If we compare the experience of farmers 

 regarding the fertility of the soil and the 

 quantity of its productions, we are surprised 

 by a result wliich sui-pnsses all others in gen- 

 eral application and uniformity. 



It has been obsers'ed, that in every part of 

 the globe where Agriculture is carried on, in 

 all varieties of soil, and with the most diflferent 

 plants and modes of cultivation, the produce of 

 a field on which the same or difTerent plants 

 have been cultivated during a certain number 

 of years, decreases iiiore or less in quantity, 

 and that it again obtains its fertility by a sup 

 ply of excrements of man and animals, which 

 generally are called manure; that the produce 

 of the fields can be increased by the same 

 (66) 



matters, and that the quantity of the crop is 

 in direct proportion to the quantity of tho 

 manure. 



In former times scarcely any attempt was 

 made to account for the cause of this curious 

 property of the excrements of man and ani- 

 mals. Without taking into consideration tho 

 origin of the excrements and the relation they 

 bear to the food, it is not astonishing that their 

 effect was ascribed to a remnant of vital 

 power which sh.ould qualify them to increase 

 the vitality in plants. Ascribing their influ- 

 ence on the fertOity of the fiekls to an incom- 

 prehensible occult cause, it was forgotten 

 that every force has its material substratum ; 

 that with a lever, in a mathematical eense,, 



