VARIOUS MANURES. 129 



with a certain amount of coal dnst ; in this manner 

 the odor is greatly diminished, and in small quanti- 

 ties will give tolerable results as a fertilizer. For beet 

 culture this last we do not recommend, unless in urgent 

 cases. The same can be said of blood, waste meat, etc. 

 We now have the most natural of all, which are called — 



Green Manures. — These represent the fertilizers evi- 

 dently known during all periods of civilization. The 

 principle consists in sowing a given crop with the idea 

 of utilizing it as a manure, harvesting the same before 

 the blossoms show themselves. If the seed had ap- 

 peared they might give considerable trouble. The 

 whole is buried with a plough several inches beneath 

 the surface, gives life to various elements, which ren- 

 der soluble many portions entering into the composi- 

 tion of the soil. The great disadvantage here existing 

 is that it does not return any of the mineral substances 

 the previous crops had taken away, and for that reason 

 to make it jDerfect it is necessary to add the same. 

 The crops generally used for green manures are clover, 

 mustard, flax, etc., and in all cases should be buried 

 before the winter sets in, as their action upon the com- 

 ing root might be the direct cause of considerable 

 harm. This system of fertilizing is good for poor 

 soils, and we are convinced that it would render most 

 satisfactory results in the Western States, where trans- 

 portation is difiicult. 



Oil Cake. — Of various origins this has a most active 



