150 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



require much room to shoot out their roots and extend themselves, and 

 this is afforded by the gradual and slow decomposition of long' manures, 

 "when sliglitly deposited beneath the surface of the soil; there is also much 

 less waste of elastic matters and heat which contribute so largely to the 

 growth of potatoes. On this principle the ploughing under of fresh vege- 

 table crops in their succulent state, is often a more economical, as well as 

 more beneficial practice, particularly in dry. light sandy soils that will 

 admit of their gradual putrefaction and dec.'.y, tli<\n to cut and take them 

 off for the purpose of being converted into manure in the compost heap. 



As to the season in which manures may bo placed in the soil, or spread 

 upon the surface, with the greatest advantage and benefit, though in prac- 

 tice, it must depend upon the state of the land and convenience of the 

 agriculturist, should in cases where they are buried under the surface be, 

 as nearly as possible, at the periods in which the seeds or the roots which 

 they are designed to support, are sown or planted in the earth. By the 

 practice of blending the manure with the soil, nearly at the time the crops 

 are put in, there is scarcely any waste of the fertilizing properties of 

 such substances. When the compost heap is in a fit condition to be drawn 

 out upon the crops, I would place the following quantities upon the differ- 

 ent qualities of land herein named. The load consisting of a cubic yard 



Strong land. Sunds. Loams. Gravels. 



Pasture 19 13^ 14 15 



Clover 18 15 131 is 



Wheat 29 19^ 19 21 



Turnips 28 21 22 23 



Barley 27 23 21 21 



Oats 26 16 18 24 



Rye 25 23 15 22 



Corn 30 31 32 29 



Potatoes 32 30 31 33 



In the spreading of compost upon the field the usual practice is to put 

 it out first in piles, and afterwards spread it upon the ground. Many 

 farmers cart out their compost during frost, and there leave it in heaps 

 until a thaw. This is no doubt convenient ; but if the weather opens the 

 spots upon which it is laid immediately imbibe it.s juice, and thereby obtain 

 more than their share of the dressing, consequently the crop will of course 

 vegetate more luxuriantlj' on those places, and the uniformity will neces- 

 sarily be destroyed. And if the land lies upon declining ground, a large 

 portion of the manure will be washed out by rain, and either be carried to 

 the lowest portion of the field, or find its way to the ditches. Another 

 practice is for both the spreader and carter to stand on the load and shake 

 the manure out with forks, this has the advantage of a more easy distribu- 

 tion, yet if the men drop two forksful where only one is needed, or fail to 

 scatter lumps, they lie where they fall and thus prevent the growth of 

 vegetation. The frequent stoppage of the teams also occupies much time, 

 so that both these modes are attended with inconvenience. When care- 

 fully done three teams will be required, if the distance is not great, one to 

 go while the other returns, and the third left with the cart at the yard to 



