(a) Manure in masses is almost sure to ferment or heat. 

 Some manure, like that from horses and sheep, is more prone 

 to fermentation than other kinds ; but all, if left for a long time 

 in large quantities, is sure to develop more or less heat. 



(b) All manures contain soluble plant food, and the percola- 

 tion of water through masses of manure is sure to dissolve out, 

 and, if possible, carry away, this plant food. 



In view of these two facts, it becomes a question whether 

 we should allow manure to collect long enough to allow fer- 

 mentation to take place ; and, secondly, w^hether any method 

 which allows the rains to wash piles of manure should be tol- 

 erated by the careful farmer. 



The tendency of water to dissolve out the really valuable 

 parts of manure, and carry these constituents in solution, and 

 the further tendency of soil to sort out this material, as the 

 water filters through the soil, and retain it, are facts which also 

 have a bearing on the solution of the problem of how to apply 

 manures. 



We are to consider then, first, when to apply manure; 

 secondly, hovj to apply it ; and, thirdly, how ?mtch to apply. 



SPRING OR FALL APPLICATION OF MANURE. 



In Bulletin 6 of this station, page 5, two acres of land are 

 reported on, one having 6 cords of manure on the surface in 

 the fall, the other having 6 cords in the spring. 



Sound corn. Soft corn. Fodder. 



TV,P v,>lr1 ivn<; i ^^'^ "^^"'"■'"^'' 3.070 lbs. 754 lbs. 6,o6h Ibs. 

 1 he yield was ^ ypj.j^g " 1,690 " 1,084 " .S.^?! " 



In the fall of 1SS7 five acres of land were divided into two 

 parts. To one part 35 loads of manure were applied on the 

 surface; the following spring an equal amount was applied to 

 the other half, and the whole planted to ensilage. The yield 

 was not large, as several varieties of corn were planted, three 

 of which did not prove well suited to the climate. 



The fall manured half yielded .... 58,530 lbs. 

 The spring " " .... 57,605 " 



The difference here is not great, and can hardly be said to give 



pos 



itive evidence for or against either method. 



to"- 



