Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1908 — APPLICATION OF MANURE. [ARTICLE]

APPLICATION OF MANURE.

Get It on the Land as Soon as Possible. In order to reduce the loss in manure to a minimum, and also to economize in handling it, the general aim and practice should be to haul it directly from the stable to the field and spread it at once. On the average farm the following of this practice all through the year would result in less loss than any method that could be pursued. The use of rotted manure rather than fresh manure is desirable in connection with many market garden or vegetable crops, as it gives quicker results and with root crops will give a smoother and nicer product. Manure should be spread as soon as it is hauled to the field. The practice of putting it in piles is objectionable because of the loss that is likely to occur. The placing in piles also involves additional labor. The manner of spreading will depend upon local conditions, but where the distance to haul is relatively short and it is desired to have it evenly spread the manure spreaders will be found serviceable machines. From ten to twenty tons of manure per acre Is usually considered a fair application; but considerably more is frequently applied for market garden crops. Experiments have shown that generally it would be far more profitable to use about one-half the usual quantities and to supplement it with commercial fertilizers.