MAKING AND USING MANURES. 



127 



Caution. The residue of castor oil seeds, after the oil 

 is pressed out, is poisonous. The seeds also are injurious 

 except as medicine. The oil is used largely for lubricating 

 purposes. 



Manure Makes the Crop. 



XII. MAKING AND USING MANURES* 



THIS is amongst the most important subjects the 

 Australian farmer has to consider; and it is encouraging 

 to note the growing attention given to it. Let the natural 



richness of his land be 

 what it may, the man 

 acts wisely who pre- 

 pares to feed his crops 

 on manure from the 

 start. For rich land, 

 the quantity required 

 to keep up the soil in 

 its best condition is 

 but small when the 

 right material is sup- 

 plied. The poorer the 

 land the more feed has to .be supplied in the form of 

 manure, and skill is called out more and more to get what 

 the soil stands most in need of. Skilful manuring, with 

 good cultivation, is the safe road to success, and the only 

 one that enables the agriculturist to prosper in dry as well 

 as in wet seasons. There are many sources of manure 

 available. The best and most effective of all, additional to 

 the compost heap, is to combine grazing with fanning, and 

 either to feed stock on land intended for cultivation, or to 

 lay the land down in grass and graze and top dress it 

 until the piece has received a thorough coating. This 

 process is followed with absolute success as a portion of a 

 course of rotation. In the grain districts where sheep are 

 kept this system of manuring is very effective, especially 



Artificial manure making, superphosphnte making, and the science aspect of 

 manure making and manuring generally, are dealt with in the author's work, 

 "Helpful Chemistry for Agriculturists," 4s., Datson 4 Co., Ltd , Sydney, and book- 

 seller* generally. 



