88 
ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN’S ASSOCIATION. 
MORNING SESSION. 
Thursday, Dec. ii. 
The assembly was called to order at 9 : 45 > th e president, 
Dr. Tcfft, occupying the chair. 
.Topic No. io —“ Manures— Natural and Artificial 
—the best manner of application to the different soils ”— 
was taken up first. Upon this question L. W. Sheldon 
read the following paper : 
L. W. SHELDON’S PAPER. 
Mr. President , Ladies and Gentlemen; In discussing 
this question I have not much to offer that is new. I he 
question has been discussed at our gatherings until it is 
familiar to all. 
What is manure ? Any substance that enriches the 
soil. The waste at the farm yard of vegetable and animal 
substances, in a decaying condition, is manure or plant food. 
He that can make two blades of grass grow where but one 
grew is a public benefactor. This can be done by a judi¬ 
cious use of fertilizers. * 
As a rule, all manures should be applied to the surface * 
soil, as fast as they accumulate. Where it is practicable, 
draw daily, and spread direct from the load. If for mead¬ 
ows or pastures, apply in fall or early winter; harrow in 
spring with a smoothing harrow. Eor corn land, apply 
upon fall plowing in fall and early winter. If the manure 
is coarse, do not hesitate to apply liberally and cultivate in 
in the spring. The above has proved a success with 
repeated trials upon sandy prairie soil. Where a three 
years’ rotation is practicable, clover and timothy make the 
best of fertilizers. Land will increase in fertility by 
repeated heavy seeding and plowing the sod under. Clover 
is the farmer’s friend. Sow liberally. It is a good invest¬ 
ment to sow clover with all small grain : it is worth many 
times its cost as a fertilizer if not wanted for meadow or 
pasture. 
