38 
ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN’S ASSOCIATION. 
grain sown. Often planted corn on land used for corn the 
previous year. Would not plow; merely split the rows, 
putting in furrow a layer of compost manure, rom ls e 
derived the very best results. Planted his corn in drills; 
kept one man in field constantly, when planting, to apply 
the manure. Could plainly see marked difference where 
manure was applied; last year he put on eight loads per 
acre;,this year, six loads; thought this the best plan: to 
apply common manure. Land tilled in this manner, was 
mellow, easily worked, and free from weeds. Harrowed it 
over immediately after planting, so as to cover all the 
manure; he considered this plan bettei than twenty 01 
thirty loads per acre as commonly applied, by spreading 
broadcast on top of the land. The muck, or sink-hole was 
valuable on the farm; it was a valuable fertilizer; made 
soils were good. Had better buy your flour than to raise 
wheat, as it only drew chinch bugs, with a poor prospect 
of a crop.* Top dressing in Spring is good. Would not 
plow for oats, if done for nothing. Hoped others would 
speak upon this subject, as he considered it very important. 
A member inquired as to the soil of Hr. Woodworth s 
land. 
Hr. Woodworth: As a whole, rather sandy. 
Prof: Hall: Would not take much time; had had 
but little experience. We wanted facts, not guesses. As 
to chemicaffertilizers, what was good for one farm would 
ruin another. We must find out by actual experiment.just 
what we want, and try and supply it. AH soils want either 
potash, nitrogen or phosphoric acid; must find out w 11 c 1 
we need; each one must find out for himself; each one 
should begin lightly, as we may make mistakes. Salt, 
put upon land, may unlock other properties, which other¬ 
wise would lie dormant. Lime is not often deficient, but 
like salt, may unlock other properties. Mr. Slade used 
eight hundred bushels of ashes with no good result, while 
