76 



GENESEE FARMER. 



Mar. 



Dr. UndcrliiH's Theory. — The Soil's Influence on 

 the Dcfomposition of Manures. 



Much has been said of late about Dr. Under- 

 hill's theory of trenching manure deep in the 

 soil. There can^jbe no doubt but that on a light 

 sandy or gravelly loam, manure thus applied 

 will be more lasting and beneficial to crops, 

 than it would be if distributed nearer the surface. 

 But the same mode of application will not pro- 

 duce the same result on a clay loam, as here tiie 

 compact surface soil would not have the benefit 

 of the mechanical aid of the manure to keep it 

 loose and friable — a quality inherent only to 

 light or gravelly soils. And besides, if ma- 

 nure is placed deep under clay, the oxygen of 

 the atmosphere is precluded by the tenacious 

 surface from uniting with the hydrogen of the 

 manure, covered deep beneath it. 



The only way that a maximum yield of Indian 

 corn can be obtained from a heavy clay loam, is 

 by a thorough application of manure, well mixed 

 both with the surface and sub-soil. Manure su- 

 perficially applied to a loose soil, will undoubtedly 

 give a greater stimulus to early vegetation, but 

 so rapid is the combustion of the manure, owing 

 to the ease with which the atmosphere penetrates 

 the loose surface, that all its nitrogen, carbon, 

 and water forming power is exhausted before 

 the crop begins to mature. On the other hand 

 on a clay soil, the full stimulus of manure is only 

 seen when it begins to fail on the light soil — 

 for the reason that the alluminous quality of the 

 clay soil prevents the too rapid combustion of 

 the manure, by which its ammonia and carbonic 

 acid is saved to feed the extra demands of the 

 maturing crop, and its water forming process is 

 also postponed to meet the exigencies of both 

 heat and drouth, so common to our midsummer. 

 To have manure thus available late in summer, 

 on a loose soil, it must be put so deep as to fer- 

 ment slowly during the first summer months. 

 Hence Dr. Underhill's theory is true in the 

 abstract, and strictly true in practice, when ap- 

 plied to all loose inadhesive soils, provided al- 

 ways that the subsoil is relieved from surplus 

 water. 



The above opinions are founded on actual ex- 

 periment, often repeated in a small way. 



Waterloo, N. Y., Feb., 1848. S. W. 



Wire Fence. 



Messrs. Editors : — Being a practical farmer 

 and a subscriber to your valuable paper, I de- 

 f:ire to contribute something to aid the farming 

 interest, by making a few suggestions on the 

 subject of wire fence, for the consideration of 

 the tillers of the soil, which I can not but hope 

 may lead to some practical results that may prove 

 highly beneficial to many who are engaged in the 



noblest pursuit thafeveroccupied the mind of man. 

 The writer of this, having lately learned thai 

 posts and wires have in some places been substi- 

 tuted for other materials for fence, has taken 

 some pains to ascertain the comparative value of 

 making it, which may be done as follows : First 

 set one post of common size firm in the ground, 

 and place in it a long screw or small windlass, 

 with a small rag wheel at or near the top where 

 the upper wire is designed to be. Then fasten 

 one end of the wire to the screw or windlass, 

 and extend it to the other end of the fence, what- 

 ever the distance may be. There set another 

 post, to which fasten the wire as at the begin- 

 ning ; then turn the screw or windlass at each 

 end, until the wire is as tight as desired, when 

 it will be ready to receive as many intermediate 

 posts as may suit the fancy — which posts, it is 

 believed, need not exceed two inches square of 

 hard wood, which can be sharpened and very 

 easily driven into the ground, on a line with the 

 wire, to such depth as may be necessary. Ex- 

 tend as many wires as desired to accomplish the 

 object. Let each wire be fastened to each inter- 

 mediate post with common tenter hooks, with 

 the hook part so bent over as to fully secure the 

 wire in its place. Four wires, it is believed, 

 will be sufficient to secure sheep, as they do not 

 get over a fence unless they can firsi jump on to 

 it. The wire may be of such size as best suits 

 the fancy. No. 16 is no doubt sufficient — which, 

 for each rod of fence of four wires, will not cost, 

 at the wholesale price, more than 9 or 10 cents; 

 and such posts as above described will not c6st 

 more than one cent each, and one to a rod will 

 be sufficient, as the whole line of fence from one 

 end to the other will be all united to resist any 

 presure against it, and for that reason the posts 

 may be small and set but lightly in the ground. 



Such a fence could not be disturbed by the 

 wind, and should the posts be raised by the frost 

 it would be but a small matter to drive them 

 down to their proper place. If any fear exists 

 that the wires may contract in cold weather, and 

 break, it will be very easy to turn the screws or 

 windlass at the approach of frost, and leave all 

 secure. Fences may be made on the same plan 

 to secure any other kind of animals, but for the 

 larger kinds it is not unlikely that it will be ad- 

 visable to place a cap board on top of the posts. 

 How durable such a fence may be remains to be 

 known hereafter ; but it is highly probable that 

 the wire would endure for many years, if placed 

 on the sun side of the post, even without paint, 

 which can be applied if necessary. Such a 

 fence could be more easily moved than any oth- 

 er ; all that would be necessary would be to un- 

 fasten each end of the wire, and wind them on a 

 reel, and remove the posts to any place desired, 

 which could be very speedily accomplished. 



Yours, &c., H. C. W. 



Auburn, N. Y, Jan., 1848. 



