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ciently porous decomposition goes on with great rapidity, and the sol- 

 uble fertilising constituents formed are partially carried away in the 

 drainage water before they can be taken up by the plants. For this 

 reason, as in case of light soils, the manure should be applied in small 

 amounts and at frequent intervals. 



The climate also may have an important bearing on this subject. In 

 a warm, damp climate it is a matter of comparative indifference whether 

 the manure is fresh or well rotted when it is applied, since under this 

 conditions decomposition in the soil will be sufficiently rapid. In a 

 dry, hot season, however, it is well known that excessive applications 

 of undecomposed manure manifest a tendency to " burn out" the soil 

 and this tendency, as has just been stated, is more marked in light 

 soils than in heavy. In cold climates, where the season is short and 

 the conditions for rapid fermentation in the soil unfavourable, the use 

 of fermented manure is preferable. 



Fresh manure has a forcing effect and tends to produce stems and 

 leaves at the expense of fruit and grain. It is therefore better for 

 grasses and forage plants than for cereals. 



Direct application of manure, as is well known, seriously injures the 

 quality of tobacco, sugar beets, and potatoes, although mangel- wurzels 

 appear to profit by large applications. For these reasons it is advis- 

 able in the case of cereals, tobacco, potatoes, and sugar beets to apply 

 the manure to the previous crop, or, where land is to be planted in the 

 spring, to apply in the fall and allow to decompose during the winter. 

 Sir J. B. Lawes has pointed out, however, that wheat on light soil is 

 benefited by direct applications of manure, and that it is only on heavy 

 soils that it is best to apply it to the preceding crop. 



"Manifestly," as Storer remarks, "the rankness of fresh dung and 

 urine could be controlled and utilised by applying the manure i n small 

 quantities and supplementing it with artificial fertilisers of kinds appro- 

 priate to the crops that are to be grown." 



What has been said above regarding the application of fresh manure 

 applies especially to manure containing only small amounts of coarse 

 undecomposed litter. It is not generally advisable to apply very 

 coarse manure before the litter has become at least partially decom- 

 posed. 



It appears, therefore, that no fixed rules regarding the condition in 

 which manure should be used which will apply to all cases can be laid 

 down. It is a matter which naturally must be left largely to the indi- 

 vidual judgment of the farmer, based upon a careful study of the char- 

 acter of the soil and climate and the requirements of the crop to be 

 grown. 



Methods of applying Manure. 



In applying manure to the field three methods are pursued : (1) The 

 manure is placed in larger or smaller heaps over the field and allowed 

 to remain some time before being spread ; (2) it is broadcasted and 

 allowed to lie on the surface for some time, or ploughed in immediately, 

 and (3) it is applied in the hill or drill with the seed. 



The first method is objectionable because it increases labour of hand- 

 ling and chances of loss by fermentation and leaching, while uniform 

 distribution of the manure U not likely to be secured. The spots oil 

 which the heaps stand are strongly manured with the'] leachingfi of the 



