54? 
THE  RURAL  NEW-YORKER. 
Aug.  20 
Economical  Manuring. 
Economical  manuring  depends  mainly 
upon  two  conditions  of  soil,  first,  its 
chemical  composition,  th.t  is,  the  rela¬ 
tive  amount  and  availability  of  the  essen¬ 
tial  elements  of  plant  food,  nitrogen,  phos¬ 
phoric  acid  and  potash  contained  in  it, 
and,  second,  its  physical  character  or 
the  power  which  the  soil  possesses  by 
reason  of  proper  proportions  of  sand, 
gravel,  humus  and  lime,  of  absorbing  and 
retaining  heat,  moisture  and  plant  food. 
In  addition  to  these  it  may  be  stated  that 
the  biological  properties  of  a  soil  are  also 
coming  to  be  regarded  as  of  vast  import¬ 
ance,  the  valuable  organisms  developing 
most  rapidly  in  soils  well  supplied  with 
organic  or  vegetable  matter.  Where  the 
physical  conditions  of  a  soil  are  good, 
there  is  no  doubt  as  to  the  financial 
advantages  of  using  chemical  manures, 
since  the  plant  food  in  them  is  less  expen¬ 
sive,  is  readily  soluble,  and  more  concen¬ 
trated  than  that  contained  in  the  natural 
manures  ;  where  they  are  very  imperfect, 
though  the  use  of  natural  manures  may  re¬ 
sult  in  returns  far  beyond  what  could  be 
expected  from  the  amount  of  plant  food 
present  in  them,  because  of  their  in¬ 
fluence  in  retaining  applied  plant  food 
and  in  making  the  otherwise  unavailable 
supplies  in  the  soil  accessible  to  crops. 
Yard  manure,  especially,  possesses  the 
advantage  of  supplying  chemical,  physi¬ 
cal  and  biological  needs. 
The  farming  lands  in  New  Jersey,  as 
we  learn  from  Bulletin  No.  88  issued  by 
the  New  Jersey  Experiment  Station  and 
written  by  Prof.  E.  B.  Voorhees,  at  the 
present  time  may  therefore,  for  conven¬ 
ience  of  study,  be  divided  into  two  gen¬ 
eral  classes — those  already  under  culti¬ 
vation  and  annually  receiving  the  man¬ 
ure  made  on  the  farm,  and  the  unde¬ 
veloped  lands,  upon  which  no  manure 
has  been  applied.  It  has  been  distinctly 
shown  by  numerous  field  experiments 
with  manures  on  the  different  crops,  and 
on  soils  differing  widely  both  in  chemical 
and  physical  character,  that  on  the  whole 
the  needs  of  the  soil  under  careful  culti¬ 
vation  are  chemical  rather  than  physical; 
that  is,  the  increased  yields  from  chem¬ 
ical  manures  alone  and  throughout  a 
series  of  years  have  been  more  satisfac- 
factory  and  profitable  than  those  from 
the  use  of  natural  manures. 
• 
The  most  progressive  and  prosperous 
truck  and  fruit  farmers  are  satisfied  of 
this  fact  and  buy  chemical  manures  only. 
On  the  other  hand,  on  the  undeveloped 
lands,  especially  on  the  light  sands,  the 
physical  needs  require  first  attention  ; 
their  most  economical  development  re¬ 
quires  the  addition  of  vegetable  manures 
in  connection  with  the  mineral  element. 
Large  areas,  formerly  unproductive,  now 
the  best  for  farming  purposes,  witness 
the  value  of  marl,  lime  and  manure  in 
improving  physical  character.  All  things 
considered,  it  will  no  doubt  be  economy 
to  buy  chemical  rather  than  stable  man¬ 
ure  for  lands  of  the  first  class,  though  it 
does  not  follow  that  care  should  not 
be  used  in  the  preservation  and  use  of 
stable  manure  and  the  various  wastes  of 
the  farm. 
Experiments  already  concluded  and 
others  now  in  progress,  both  in  New 
Jersey  and  elsewhere,  to  test  this  point, 
have  already  shown  the  great  value  of 
green  mauuring  with  leguminous  plants 
in  improving  the  physical  condition  of 
soils.  Certain  of  these  are  well  adapted 
for  sandy  soils,  make  large  crons  and 
provide  an  abundance  of  organic  vege¬ 
table  matter.  Scarlet  Clover  is  one  of 
the  most  promising  crops  for  this  pur¬ 
pose,  Prof.  Voorhees  says,  since  its  habit 
of  growth  permits  its  use  as  manure  for 
crops  planted  m  the  spring. 
Iiow  shall  I  use  manures  to  the  best 
advantage,  or  shall  different  crops  be 
manured  alike  ?  are  questions  which  in¬ 
volve  in  their  answers  a  knowledge  of  the 
requirements  of  crops  for  food. 
We  must  know  whether  nitrogen,  phos¬ 
phoric  acid  and  potash  are  the  essential 
elements  for  the  full  development  of  all  farm, 
crops,  and  also  whether  the y  reriuire  them 
in  the  same  general  proportion. 
Recent  experiments  have  clearly  dem¬ 
onstrated  that  for  purposes  of  manuring 
farm  crops  may  be  divided  into  two 
general  groups,  first,  those  which  are 
able  to  obtain  a  large  part  of  their  nitro¬ 
gen  from  the  atmosphere,  and,  second, 
those  which  obtain  the  supply  of  this  ex¬ 
pensive  element  entirely  from  the  soil ; 
to  the  first  class  belong  the  leguminous 
plants  and  include  as  farm  crops  the 
various  clovers,  peas  and  beans ;  these 
crops  will  succeed  well  on  moist  soils  by  the 
addition  of  the  relatively  cheap  mineral 
elements.  To  the  second  class  belong 
the  grain  crops,  grasses,  vegetables  and 
fruit,  which  are  especially  benefited  by  judic¬ 
ious  applications  of  nitrogen. 
The  condition  upon  which  this  classi¬ 
fication  is  based  is  extremely  important, 
resulting,  where  properly  understood, 
not  only  in  a  direct  saving  in  the  cost  of 
manures  for  crops  belonging  to  the  first 
class,  but  for  others  as  well,  since  the 
nitrogen  gathered  and  stored  up  by  them 
may  be  quite  as  useful  for  crops  of  the 
second  class  as  that  contained  in  farm  or 
chemical  manures.  One-third  of  the 
aggregate  value  of  the  complete  manures 
sold  in  the  State  is  due  to  the  nitrogen 
contained  in  them,  a  large  part  of  which 
might  be  saved  if  attention  were  given  to 
the  above  points.  In  the  second  place, 
the  proportion  of  plant  food  supplied  in 
the  manure  is  important  and  has  refer¬ 
ence  to  both  soil  and  crop  ;  it  frequently 
happens,  in  general  farming,  that  the 
increased  yield  from  the  use  of  complete 
manure  is  due  to  the  influence  of  but  one 
or  two  elements,  which  exist  in  the  mix¬ 
ture  in  minimum  amounts  and  which 
might  have  been  purchased  in  other 
forms  for  a  much  smaller  sum.  Con¬ 
sequently  there  is  either  a  direct  loss  or 
an  investment  made  the  return  from 
which  may  be  extremely  doubtful.  The 
condition  of  the  soil  in  respect  to  lacking 
elements  cannot  be  predicted  except  in 
a  general  waj’  ;  it  can  be  determined 
accurately  only  by  careful  study  and  ex¬ 
periment  by  the  farmer  himself.  That 
such  studyimeans  large  saving  in  the  cost 
of  manures  has  already  been  amply 
proven  in  New  Jersey.  In  intensive  farm¬ 
ing  the  case  may  be  different,  for  here  as 
a  rule  all  the  essential  elements  are  re¬ 
quired  in  abundance,  though  the  dif¬ 
ferent  crops  vary  widely  in  their  capacity 
for  using  food,  depending  upon  the  power 
they  possess  of  obtaining  it  and  upon  the 
character  of  their  growth.  For  instance, 
corn  needs  for  its  full  and  rapid  develop¬ 
ment  an  abundance  of  readily  available 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  ;  wheat,  oats 
and  grass,  nitrogen  and  phosphoric  acid  ; 
potatoes,  tomatoes,  cabbage  and  aspara¬ 
gus,  nitrogen  and  potash  ;  clover,  phos¬ 
phoric  acid,  potash  and  lime,  and  so 
forth.  That  is,  while  all  the  elements 
should  be  applied,  these  are  particularly 
useful,  and  should  be  added  either  in 
greater  proportion  or  at  a  specific  time. 
To  illustrate  :  field  corn,  while  it  is  be¬ 
lieved  to  get  its  entire  supply  of  nitrogen 
from  the  soil,  may  reach  full  develop¬ 
ment  with  minimum  additions,  because 
it  makes  its  most  rapid  growth  during 
the  hot  season,  when  the  conditions  are 
most  favorable  for  the  formation  of 
soluble  nitrates  in  the  soil,  while  wheat 
and  Timothy  developing  most  rapidly  in 
early  summer,  and  before  soil  agencies 
are  active,  require  readily  available  sup¬ 
plies  of  soil  nitrogen,  thus  demanding 
either  an  excessive  application  in  the 
fall,  which  is  liable  to  waste,  or  a  spring 
application  of  this  element  in  a  readily 
soluble  form.  Nitrate  of  soda  has  proved 
most  useful  as  a  spring  application  for 
these  crops  as  well  as  others  tha  make 
an  early  summer  growth.  Thus  the  kind 
of  crop  and  its  method  of  growth  are 
very  important  factors  in  deciding  how 
to  use  manures.  Feed  the  crop  with 
what  it  needs  and  when  it  needs  it,  is 
another  good  rule  to  follow. 
The  question  of  buying  manures  has 
particular  reference  to  the  advantages  or 
disadvantages  of  what  are  known  as  com¬ 
plete  or  incomplete  fertilizers.  The 
principal  points  which  have  been  shown 
are  :  1.  That  the  nitrogen,  phosphoric 
acid  and  potash  in  raw  or  unmixed 
materials  can  be  bought  at  a  less  cost 
per  pound  than  the  station’s  valuations ; 
and,  2,  that  the  cost  of  the  same  elements 
in  mixed  fertilizers  is  at  least  25  per  cent 
greater  than  the  station’s  valuations.  The 
difference  between  these  two  methods  of 
buying  would  amount  on  the  basis  of 
last  year’s  sales  in  New  Jersey  to  over 
§330.000.  This  sum  is  consumed  not  in 
manufacturers’  profits  alone,  as  some 
suppose,  but  in  the  transportation  of  a 
vast  amount  of  absolutely  worthless 
material ;  in  agents’  commissions  and  in 
credit. 
If  manufacturers  would  treat  all  buyers 
as  they  do  their  agents  and  sell  to  them 
direct,  and  farmers  could  be  made  to 
realize  the  importance  of  cooperation 
and  of  cash  purchases,  the  trade  in  com¬ 
plete  fertilizers  would  be  more  satisfac¬ 
tory*  to  both  producer  and  consumer 
Under  present  conditions,  however,  the 
evidence  gathered  by  the  New  Jersey 
Station  is  manifestly  in  favor  of  the  buy¬ 
ing  of  unmixed  materials  and  applying 
directly,  as  needed,  or  mixing  to  suit  the 
varied  needs  of  crop  and  soil. 
In  writing  to  advertisers  please  always  mention 
Thk  Kdhai.  New-Yohkkr. 
WHENEVER  I  see 
Hood’s  Sarsapa¬ 
rilla  I  want  to  bow  and 
say  ‘  Thank  You.’  I 
was  badly  affected  with 
Eczrmaaild  Mcrofulit 
Sores,  covering  almost 
the  whole  of  one  side  of 
my  face,  nearly  to  the 
top  of  my  head.  Run¬ 
ning  sores  discharged 
from  botli  ears.  My  eyes  were  very  bad.  For 
nearly  a  vear  I  was  deaf.  I  took  XIOOO’S 
SARSAPARILLA  and  the  sores  on  my 
eyes  and  in  my  ears  healed.  I  can  now  hear 
and  see  as  well  as  ever.”  Mbs.  Amanda  Pais¬ 
ley,  17G  Lander  Street,  Newburgh,  N.  Y. 
HOOD'S  PILLS  cure  all  Liver  Ills,  jaundice, 
sick  headache*  biliousness,  sour  stomach,  nausea. 
iSOOTHIhQ 
JJealinc 
PehetratimQ 
ORIGINATED 
For  INTERNAL  as  much  as  EXTERNAL  use. 
JOHNSON'S 
Anodyne  Liniment 
Dropped  on  StiQdv9  Childveti  Love  It • 
Every  Traveler  should  have  a  bottle  of  it  in  his  satchel. 
Acts  promptly.  Always  ready  to  use,  for  Coughs,  Colds, 
Sore  Throat,  Tonsilitis.  Colic,  Cramps  and  Pains.  Re¬ 
lieves  Summer  Complaints,  Cuts  and  Bruises  like  magic. 
Cures  Croup,  Asthma,  Catarrh,  Bronchitis,  Cholera- 
Morbus,  Chilblains,  Chaps,  Soreness  in  Body  or  Limbs, 
Stiff  Muscles  or  Strains.  Inhale  for  Nervous  Headache. 
Ill’st’d  Pamphlet  free.  Sold  everywhere.  Price  35  cts. 
Six  bottles.  $2.00.  I.  S.  JOHNSON  &  CO.,  Boston,  Mass. 
Field  Rollers. 
All  sizes  and  weights 
for  one  and  two 
horses. 
Garden  and  Lawn  Rollers, 
Stump  and  Rock  Extractors, 
Root  and  Brush  Pullers,  etc. 
Made  by  AMES  PLOW  COMPANY. 
BOSTON  and  NEW  YORK, 
Send  for  circulars  and  catalogue. 
Corn  Harvesting  Revolutionized. 
One  man  can  cut  and  shock  3  to  5  acres  In  a  day . 
Add.,  with  stamp,  I.  Z.  ME  It  RI  AM,  Whitewater,  Wis. 
For  Harness,  Buggy  Tops,  Saddles,  Fly  Nets 
Traveling  Bags,  Military  Equipments,  Etc. 
Gives  a  beautiful  finish  which  will  not  peel  or 
crack  off,  smut  or  crock  by  handling.  Not  a  varnish 
Used  by  the  U.  S.  Army  and  is  the  standard 
among  manufacturers  and  owners  of  fine  harness 
in  every  quarter  of  the  globe. 
SOLD  BY  ALL  HARNESS  MAKERS. 
POT-GROWN 
Strawberry  Plants 
that  will  bear  full  crop 
fruit  next  season.  Cel¬ 
ery,  Cabbage  and  Cauli¬ 
flower  plants.  Descrip¬ 
tive,  Illustrated  Summer 
List,  with  colored  plate, 
free.  Address 
E.  P.  ROE. 
T.  J.  DWYER, 
Cornwall,  N.  Y. 
'  SHIPMAN  AUTOMATIC 
•  STEAM  ENGINE  • 
COSTS  little  to  buy, 
less  to  run,  and 
nothing  to  keep. 
Requires  no  en¬ 
gineer.  Burns 
kerosene,  petro¬ 
ls'1  leum,  etc.  v. 
will  do  your  FARM  WORK 
cheaper  and  better  than  horse  or  hand 
power.  Saw  wood,  pump  water,  make 
cider,  hoist  hay.  thresh  grain,  churn 
butter,  etc. 
SEND  FOR  CATALOGUE. 
Shipman  Engine  Co., 
246  Summer  St.,  Boston. 
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Threshing  Machines, 
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THOMSON’S 
SLOTTED 
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No  tools  required.  Only  a  hammer  needed 
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leaving  the  clinch  absolutely  smooth.  Re¬ 
quiring  no  hole  to  be  made  in  the  leather  nor 
burr  for  the  Rivets.  They  are  STRONG,  TOUGH 
and  DURABLE.  Millions  now  in  use.  All 
lengths,  uniform  or  assorted,  put  up  in  boxes. 
Ask  your  denier  for  them,  or  send  40c. 
in  stamps  for  a  box  of  100;  assorted  sizes. 
MANUFACTURED  BY 
JUDSON  L.  THOMSON  MFC.  CO., 
Waltham,  Ulan, 
GENUINE  “GALE”  REPAIRS 
for  Gale  Plows  and  other  goods. 
This  trade  mark  will  tell  the  story. 
Look  for  it.  None  are  genuine  w  ith¬ 
out  it.  They  last  longer,  work  better, 
and  are  made  from  the  original  pat¬ 
terns,  which  Insures  a  perfect  fit. 
GALE  MFG.  CO.,  Albion,  31  ic.;. 
KEMP’SDOcSLEHAY  PRESS 
FULL  2  FEEDS  TO  EVERY  ROUND JT  fl-]SprlngFoliler 
AUTOMATIC  l'LUNGKU  DRAW. 
CIVEN  (TREE  IF  IT  WILL  NOT  do  all  my  circulars 
AWAY  rflEE  claim.  Send  for  free  circulars  giving 
full  information.  JAS.  KEMP.  Kemoton,  Ills. 
20-inch  BURR 
STONE  Mill  $85. 
Iti-ineh  Mill  $75. 
Catalogue  free. 
Established  1847 
LEONARD  D.  IIARRISON,  Box  E,  New  Haven.  Conn 
