30 



The other piece contained 9,450 square 3'ards, or 230 yards less 

 than two acres, and is a part of the farm which I rent and on which 

 I reside. Two rows all round the piece were planted with potatoes. 

 The land is a sandy loam, easy of cultivation, bore rye in 1880, rye 

 in 1881, potatoes on rye ploughed in, with commercial fertilizers, in 

 1882, rye in 1883, and a crop of rye sown in the fall of 1883 was 

 plowed in May 30, 1884, for the corn crop under consideration. The 

 rest of the cultivation was almost [)recisely like that before described ; 

 but instead of $36 worth of fish and potash, I used about 9,450 lbs. 

 of compost, consisting of manure and litter from the horse and cow 

 stables, the contents of the w. c, about three barrels of hen manure, 

 and at least a third of the heap was composed of sand}' loam. These 

 ingredients were collected and mixed together May 19, and the pile 

 w.as thrown over twice before it was drawn to the field for use. It 

 also received the house slops daily. It would be almost impossible 

 to ascertain its precise cost ; but I think I can manufacture such a 

 fertilizer for $4 a ton, and get paid for my labor. My way of arriv- 

 ing at the weight is also rather vague, but I am satisfied the amount 

 applied was, if either, less than I have stated. We made a six-tiued 

 forkfuU go eight hills, and by weighing six forkfulls we found they 

 weighed eight lbs. the forkfuU ; which gave one pound of manure to 

 each hill. The manure was shaken from the fork directly over the 

 seed, and the smoothing harrow mixed it slightly with the loam, but 

 moved it very little, if any, from where it fell. The corn came up a 

 good color, which it has retained through the season, and spite of 

 injury from my neighbors' cows, which got in several times, the crop 

 is fairly satisfactory. 



I am not prepared to deny that in a succession of crops the amount 

 and quality of manure applied, so that it be evenly distributed, is of 

 more importance than its condition or the manner in which it is 

 applied : but I find that a small quantity of manure will make the 

 best immediate return, if it is presented in the condition and the 

 position in which it is immediately available. 



One day Col. Clark drove down to the field, and I showed him my 

 corn crop and explained my plan of manuring. "■ Well," he said, 

 "• 3"our idea is like the Chinaman's as far as it goes ; but he applies 

 his manure in liquid form, and goes over the ground at least twice 

 during the life of the crop." 



Below is my account with the crop : 

 John C. Dillon in Account with Corn Crop on 1 20-21 Acres. 



1883. Dr. 



Sept. To plowing rye stubble, 12 hours, $ 4 20 



" 3 bushels rye, 2 10 



" Sowing, 50 



*" Harrowing, 1 00 



