124 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 



bodies of peat have been made known where its ex. 

 istence was scarcely suspected, and thus an easy 

 and certain mode o'f fertilizing lands made poor by 

 injurious cultivation, has been placed within the 

 reach of thousands, n will be read with interest by 

 all who possess, or can obtain, this invaluable sub- 

 stance.] 



WHAT QUANTITY OF MANURE SHOULD BE APPLIED TO 

 THE ACRE ? 



The answer to this question involves many con- 

 siderations which preclude a definite reply ; such as 

 the condition of the land, the quality of the manure, 

 and the kind of crop. Too much, as well as too lit- 

 tle manure, may be applied. What would be bene- 

 ficial for an autumn-ripening or hoed crop, would be 

 prejudicial to a small grain or summer-ripening crop 

 (more particularly if the manure is applied in an un- 

 fermented state), and there would be, withal, a waste 

 of fertilizing matter. Twenty tons to the acre 

 would not be too much for corn, potatoes, ruta-baga, 

 &c., if applied broadcast and ploughed in; but if it 

 be long manure, and applied in the drill or hill, and 

 a dry season should ensue, it might prove an injury ; 

 and were this quantity per acre of long, or even 

 short manure, applied to small spring grain, it would 

 probably cause a flush of straw, likely to be affected 

 by rust, at the expense of the more valuable part, 

 the grain. Dr. Coventry, late professor of agricul- 

 ture in the University of Edinburgh, whose business 

 and study it was to collect data, and make correct 

 deductions in this and other agricultural matters, 

 was of the opinion that from four to five tons of the 

 kind usually denominated spit or tolerably rotted 

 dung, are yearly requisite to keep up the fertility of 

 the soil; and this supply he thinks a well-managed 

 farm may be made to produce. To show how this 



