Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1872 — Worn-out Meadows—Manuring. [ARTICLE]

Worn-out Meadows—Manuring.

I have noticed this until I am fully satisfied: That, we spread our manure too carelessly— Vs do not fine it enough, and get it down on the ground. In all mv observation find practice—and they are in a district where the thing is thoroughly and extensively tested— l have aheqt/s found careless, lumpy spreading to be of lessbepefit than fine' and even distribution, an<rin.,proportion as the two were practiced was tbe effect seen. . .The reason,'Ejthink, is clear. Soil is attractive,':)! disinfectant. Manure coming into contact with it must necessarily have its properties absorbed by it—that jis, the gases and the juice. If not coming into contact, it cannot be thus taken up, and the air must-get it. The lumps will dry and he an : incumbrance. This every farmer mustjpiow. Pulverized afterward, there is little strength left. _

1 Apply as soon as possible after the manure is made, and harrow in at once. Spread even and keep off the brush; use the harrow; let it not be a fine toothed, bhra’substantial one, the common harrow of the farm. This for meadow or pasture, or for anything except seeding to grass or clover. People are sensitive about the harrows on their meadows. A greater error never was entertained. The grass, especially when there Is a thick Soa, can bear to be cut up, thinned out* and a chance given for new growth. A new infusion in old meadows is wanted. Besides, the stirring of the soil is never sufficiently estimated. It is like harrowing or hoeing your wheat. The bare spots (small) will at once be-taken possession of by the grass or the clover, whiph will thrive doubly on. the nevV ftlellpw soil. We see the principle of this in clover, which, when the frost lifts it the second year, fts is often he case, leaves the field comparatively naked, but, at the end of the season, often the best meadow, with -usually tall heavy grass, to be improved the year following. This is the winter’s repeated experience. The clovc.r, with its long tap-root, -prepared the ground better than the harrow could, and the grass eagerly took advantage of it, tillering and occupying it. Use the harrow in the fall, early. This will heal the “hurt” and give the grass a good start by winter. In the spring there will he a sod at once. I Itis a.gqod plan when the grass is thin to scatter a little seed (titnothy) along with the harrowing. In such a case the brush may follow the barrow, and seed down between the two. Manure, followed by the harrow, seed sown and finished with the brush, will re-establish any old worn-out meadow. If the ground is soft, less harrowing ;if hard, more. Be-not afraid to harrow and re-harrow, mixiDg ground and manure. If the manure is applied in the winter —which is best, all thing considered — spread at once (from the sleigh or wagon), and in the spring, as early as the ground will admit, harrow and roll. There should be less ground broken ud ; a lighter barrow used. The crop will be a good one this year, and a better next. — Cor. Ceninlry Gentleman.