Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1870 [PAGE 266]

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250 tion is almost impossible. In twenty years there has been an average yield of seventeen and a half bushels peracre. As to sheep manure, the animal makes no difference. Thejfood determines the value of manure. The feeding value of corn and beans is the same, but the latter is much the most valuable for manure. I would not put so large an amount of land in grass. I would raise less permanent crops, such as clover, beans, etc. I would only "piece out " with commercial fertilizers. The formation of the barn-yard, as described by the lecturer, is complete. The only source of waste is the leaking. Evaporation don't hurt. The entire mass should be kept moist. I would not turn hogs on manure. The muscular exertion detracts from their fattening. The best thing to keep manure is the box system, and letting the stock tramp the manure under them. I would not have a manure cellar, it is bad for the animals above. The manure lies loose the liquids do not stay in it, and are not put back. I would keep manure piles flat and packed. Top dressing is the best mode of applying manure. Light sandy soils should be manured-differently from clay soils. Never pile it, but spread as you haul, so as to give all parts of the land an equal chance. Dr. Volcker, of England, investigated top dressing and the supposed waste of ammonia resulting, and he concluded that top dressing and the practical men were right. Spread manure whenever the ground is not frozen deeply ; even if there were a waste of ammonia, it would be cheaper on the whole to spread as we haul. Top dressing enables us to spread our manuring through the year. In turning under clover, the later you plow the better. You may remove a crop of seed, and then turn under to the best advantage,*because the roots are thus the best developed. Poi pratenses, (blue grass), is very good for pasturage, but one of the very worst for cultivated lands. Use clover. Manure lasts according to its condition, whether soluble or not. Adjourned.