ANIMAL MANURES 
.49 
ient intervals. About six months are required to secure 
the proper decomposition. A manure shredder is used 
by some Boston gardeners. This powerful machine, 
operated by an engine, is placed alongside of the compost 
pile and the manure is shredded before applying in the 
field. The shredder is provided with a tongue, so it may 
be shifted with a team whenever necessary. 
87. Time of application. — The proper time of applica- 
tion depends upon the age, the texture and the kind of 
manure, the crops to be grown, and the systems and the 
rotations to be followed. I11 the growing of truck crops 
in rotation with general field crops, perhaps, the manure 
should be applied at any convenient time previous to 
planting, and preferably upon grass land. If the manure 
is fine and the supply limited, it may be an advantage to 
use it as a top dressing after plowing, thoroughly incor- 
porating it with the soil by harrowing. This is unques- 
tionably the best method for hen, sheep and hog manures. 
In intensive gardening a crop may be removed, the 
manure applied, and the land plowed, harrowed and 
planted the same day. If 50 tons of manure to the acre 
are available annually and several crops are to be grown 
during the season, it is considered preferable to appor- 
tion the manure for each crop as may seem desirable 
rather than to use the entire amount at any one time. 
88. Method of application. — As indicated in the pre- 
vious paragraph, coarse manures should be plowed under, 
while those of fine texture will be most beneficial when 
used as a top dressing after plowing, especially upon 
heavy soils of moderate fertility. Surface applications 
after plowing certainly have a marked effect in improv- 
ing physical conditions, in making soils warmer, more 
friable, and less subject to baking and washing. 
A common practice in soils of rather low fertility is to 
use stable manures in hills or drills. This plan is seldom 
practiced by gardeners cultivating soils of high fertility, 
