New method, which teaches how to make vegetable manure

Front matter

^LIBRAEY OF CONGRESS,*

I #

I UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. J

Part Second. — Explanation and analytical developments of the method. Solutions of manure

questions of high importance, and supplementary articles consequent upon this system.

I earnestly recommend every one, before commencing operations, to read entirely through the two parts which constitute the whole of the method, and oftener if they have leisure. Without this preliminary care, the system will not be well comprehended, because the two pnrts are linked together, feed and sustain each other, and form an inseparable whole.

As the question of manures, alone, gathers in its immense net nearly all the art of agriculture, I am very far from believing that I have closed the mine by this method : on the contrary, T have only opened it ; and its progress, relying upon science and practice, will enlarge the art to t'ulness.

The appearance of my method gives the first idea — the first movement; and when this idea is well understood, and the movement has taken place, this art, which was stationary before the new impulse, will forthwith march with rapidity — will increase from tributes from our men of science and of genius — and will be improved by our intelligent agriculturists. In the meanwhile, I indulge the satisfaction of having created a system which has ripened under my

Preface

experiments, and from which every farmer can from this moment put his hands to the work, under the full assurance that he will considerably augment his products by following my economical processes.

I have established an office at New York, where each subscriber to my method can address me (postage paid) for such instructions as he may desire upon the application of the system, either when he may become embarrassed upon one or more points of the practice, or when he may not have obtained the satisfactory results which the proper application of this method assures. It is at this office, also, that subscribers are invited to address reports upon the results of their operations, and either modifications or improvements which they may think proper to suggest.

I will publish, in the month of February of each year, a collection, in pamphlet form, which will contain all the modifications and improvements made either by my subscribers or myself, having first examined and recognised them to be for the interest of agriculture ; also the various results obtained from the use of this manure.

This collection will follow the present method, and each subscriber will receive a copy. To those who refund the expenses of printing, which will not be over twenty-five cents a copy, the subsequent number will be sent.

In doing so, we will approach toward a complete and entire constitution for the art of manures; and, to sum up, I shall have obtained my end, which is, the good of Agriculture.

A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR TO AGRICULTURISTS.

When I first introduced this method into American Agriculture, I judged it prudent, for many reasons, to publish at first but a part of it; enough, however, to enable the intelligent farmer to succeed in the experiment. Before encountering the expense required to publish in full the fruits of my labors, I was anxious to ascertain if this system would be well received and properly appreciated by the agricultural public. My expectations were not disappointed that trial having been crowned with entire success. Thus encouraged, it became my duty to persevere, and to give you the result of all my researches and experiments. This you will find in my new work, which, I can say with confidence, is the key with which you can, by the exercise of a little intelligence and industry, double the product of your farms; for in this work the system is so much improved, its application rendered so easy, the whole so clearly explained and so fully detailed, that if you conform to its prescriptions and instructions with scrupulous exactness, success is certain.

Aware that, as practical men, you did not want a cumbrous scientific work — one of those bis; volumes which contain hundreds of theories and problems, or mere agricultural questions, which it is so much the fashion of the day to put and never to solve — I present to you a small volume of not quite one hundred pages, containing facts and practical results, conscientiously given, all of great utility, wherein that which is lost in bulk and learned words will be gained in intrinsic value.

In the main, my method is based upon that known for some time in France as Jauffret's System : that is to say, I use the same materials ; for, in my researches and experiments, it became my duty to consult not only the small French pamphlet of Jauffret, but all other writings which have appeared upon the subject of agriculture, and especially of manure, in order to extract from them whatever, by experiment, should prove to be good, valuable, and useful to the object I had in view. The merit of this new system does not consist either in the materials, or in their combination. These materials have been known for ages as possessing fertilizing qualities; and every person, at all acquainted with chemistry, knows, that in mixing alkalis with animal matter, a mordant can be obtained which will produce fermentation in a heap of vegetables. This, then, is not new; it is the numerous improvements and ameliorations connected with the application of these materials which give real importance to this new system. Therein lies the real progress of the art in the preparation and the application of manures, and therein consists the merit of the new edition of the method. True, Jauffret also undertook the application of this mixture, but he stojjped half way. His process, such as

L

PREFACE.

described in his pamphlet, can not be used with profit and success, and that for three cogent reasons : the first is, the meager and incomplete instructions he gives to the operator upon the application of the system; the second, because the hand labor is too painful and expensive; and the third, because he did not discover, and consequently could not tell, how to employ the air as a second agent of fermentation — a very important point in the operation, because without this aid it is impossible to attain that degree of heat which is necessary perfectly to reduce vegetable matter into manure in a short time. Therein he failed, and therefore it remained for others to accomplish the work he had left incomplete. But although I have, perhaps, gone much farther than all others who have hitherto devoted their attention to this subject, I do not pretend to have closed the door to improvement by my method. The question of manure is so extensive, that it embraces nearly the whole agricultural art, which will in due time advance to fulness by relying upon science and practice. Meanwhile, the great step is made; the fundamental bases are established ; and the system, as explained in my new work, has been so well matured by my experiments, that I can affirm, without fear of misleading any one, that any farmer who will undertake to operate on my plan will succeed, and I assure him that he will considerably augment the products of his farm by folloviring my economical process in the preparation and application of his manure. Here the word "economical" is seriously intended. The system, taken altogether, is essentially economical ; for, except a small quantity of lime, all the ingredients which enter into the composition of the caustic lye (which, with the air, form the two agents of fermentation) are found upon all farms, and cost nothing but the labor of gathering them.

It is chiefly you, who are the friends of improvement, industrious and intelligent farmers, whom I seek to engage in the adoption and propagation of this method; because you should give the example to your less favored fellow-citizens, who, on witnessing your success, will surrender to the evidence of facts and imitate your example. It is only in this way that the adoption of my method can become general, and, by its popularity, exercise a great and undoubted influence upon the agricultural prosperity of the country.

Concerning the patent attached to my method, it is evident that it could only be granted for the improvement connected with the application of materials already known. You should know, then, that the patented process is of the greatest advantage to the farmer, being the most economical, and the most easily reduced to practice. It is also the process now in use in every section of the Union. You should also understand, that in the patent this process is only described in general terms, and that isolated from the "method," it is not likely to be of any value. To apply it with success, it is necessary to have my work for a guide.

According to an agreement between myself and my agents, Messrs. Baek and Gouliaht, the patent was issued under their name, and a part of it, comprising ihe right for the Northern and Eastern States, was immediately ceded to me by them; which transfer is duly recorded in the patent office, in Liber M. page 280 of transfers of patent rights. Then, by a second transfer, made to me the 6th November, 1844, by Abbett, Baer, and Gouliart, known as the firm of Abbett & Co., the remaining part, comprising the right in the Southern and Western States, has also been ceded to me ; which transfer is also recorded in the patent office, in Liber S. page 373 : so that by virtue of these two acts, the patent issued under the above names now belongs entirely to me.

With regard to the " method" itself — that is to say, the book which contains the directions and instructions indispensable to the farmer who wishes to apply the process — in a word, which contains the system complete in all its details, the property and the copyright appertain to myself exclusively, according to two legal acts entered in the clerk's office of the southern district of New York. Thus, these two rights, although distinct, are inseparable; that is, the patent can not be profitable to any one without the method.

I was compelled to give these explanations, and to make these statements, because all these matters have been agitated by the press as well as by private correspondence, and also that, for the future, each one may know to whom to apply in regard to this patent and method.

You should not lose sight of the fact that all the copies of the method are signed and sealed with my own hand — a measure I have adopted to prevent imposition and fraud.

PRICE OF THE METHOD GREATLY REDUCED,

Until now, I have maintained the prices fixed upon by myseli" and Abbett & Co. — prices which varied from six to twenty-five dollars, according to the size of the farms ; and this I was obliged to do, because, in accordance with our agreement, I was not at liberty to alter them. It was principally to gain this end that I bought out Messrs. Abbett & Co.

To render my work really popular, I have fixed its price so low that each member of the whole agricultural community can purchase it.

Henceforth, it will be sold at the uniform price of Five Dollars, for every farm in the Union that is,

ONE RIGHT, WITH ONE COPY OF THE METHOD FOR ANY FARM,

FIVE DOLLARS.

Very liberal commissions will be allowed to agents.

Persons with suitable qualifications, wishing to act as local or travelling agents, should immediately apply either to me or to my General Agents, stating where they live, and in what county or district they propose to act.

Besides the usual commissions, the agents will receive great facilities for the entire purchase of county rights in their respective agencies.

RIGHTS AND METHODS, WHOLESALE.

A WORD TO ENTERPRISING MEN.

Having succeeded in making known the advantages and the practical utility of my method to competent and disinterested men, whose characters are sufiiciently known to the public to place their testimony beyond doubt ; my " method" being patronised by the most eminent men of this country — Messrs. Martin Van Buren, Gov. J. H. Hammond, Gen. Wade Hampton, Gen. J. L. Means, Col. Singleton, Col. Hugh Lawsnn, Hon. J. R. Poinsett, W. B. Seabrook, Andrew Stephenson, and others, who have adopted it; several thousands of the method having already been spread throughout the Union, the greater part of purchasers being eminent agriculturists ; and all subscribers being satisfied with the work, my end has been attained — my task stops here : it is now a mere business matter, ready to receive the developments of which it is susceptible.

For these reasons, and desiring to employ my time in new researches and experiments, especially upon the subject of ti-ansrmdation oi^ dedid into living vegetables, a highly important subject in agriculture, already hinted at in my work, but which is still in a problematical state, not reposing upon any solid basis ; and to enable me also, in accordance with my former promises, to impart the results of those experiments to the subscribers of my method, I have resolved to cede my patent and method, either by Town, County, or by State, to single persons or to companies, on the most reasonable terms, the price of which will be fixed according to the agricultural importance of the Towns, Counties, or States.

To purchasers of the patent right, a certain number of the method will be delivered gratis, I the number of "methods" to depend on the agricultural importance of the State or County that may be ceded.

Herein I present a new branch of industry to enterprising, intelligent, and active men. It would be superfluous to enlarge upon its advantages ; for it will be seen at a glance, by perusing the annexed documents, that my method enjoys a high reputation in the Union, and that this enterprise is in its nature as honorable as it is lucrative.

PRELIMINARY HINTS

Important to Beginners, in their first efforts to avail themselves of the Method, with the least trouble and expense.

Every part of the Method is valuable, and should be carefully studied, and thoroughly understood, before any attempt is made to put it into practice. Every part of the Method, too, has its distinct merits particularly adapted to different localiiies and peculiar wants of each individual. Hence it is desirable that all its provisions should be fully investigated, that the proprietor of the method may select for his own immediate use vt'hat he finds best suited to his circumstances. Even without adopting the regular system prescribed in the Method, the purchaser thereof will find himself amply remunerated for all his expense, by the important suggestions contained in the work, which will enable him, not only to use to great advantage essential elements of manure, which are commonly wasted, but also to improve and augment manure already on hand. When the regular process is adopted, an economist would prefer to apply it to such substances as his peculiar location is best calculated to furnish to advantage. If he has vegetable substances of any kind on hand, he can

; employ them to the greatest profit by applying the principles of the Method.

; But if vegetable matter can not be furnished, manure may nevertheless be made of earth to good advantage, and many who have tested its results regard the manufacture of earth manure as one of the most important advantages of the Method. In regard to economy in fixtures and indispensable ingredient, it will be perceived, by a thorough acquaintance with the work, that everything objectionable in cost of fixtures or difficult of procurement in the ingredients may be dispensed with, so that every one is at liberty to conform to his circumstances or taste, as the case may be. There need be no doubt but that, in all cases where all the regular fixtures are employed, and all the original ingredients specified can be obtained at a reasonable cost, they will abundantly repay the expense of the outlay. Yet it must be satisfactory to know that, whenever the cost of fixtures is likely to amount to an objection to their use, a few hours' work will furnish all the fixtures which are absolutely necessary, and that such ingredients only are indispensable as are universally attainable, while those which are most difficult to procure may be dispensed with without damage.

Reservoir.

A hole may be excavated in the ground by a man and team in a very short time, with the aid of a plough and scraper, which will answer a good purpose to prepare the ley.

If the ground be naturally porous, and will not safely retain water, it may easily be rendered retentive, by puddling it with clay.

PRELIMINARY HINTS. 11

Grate.

This article, which is chiefly useful in making vegetable manure, in afTordinoa circulation of air under the bottom of the heap, may be made of the cheapest materials at a mere trifle of cost, or may be superseded by the use of old rails, slabs, wood from the wood-pile, or anything else which may serve to raise the heap a little from the ground, and afford access to the air.

Saturated Water.

Liquor drained from the barn-yard into a vat or reservoir is usually the best saturated water which can be produced to form the ley, and as it commonly holds a vast amount of animal nrianure in solution, it will greatly diminish, and in most cases supersede, the necessity of adding human excrements or animal manure.

Ley and Ingredients.

A considerably larger quantity than actually needed, both of ley and ingredients, has been indicated in the table, to reduce one ton of drv, or two tons of green vegetables, for two reasons : first, to obtain manure vastly superior to stable or yard manure ; secondly, to afford, beginners, and farmers of ordinary capacity, the means of seeing their very first essays crowned with success. In fact, the ingredients employt^d in the proportion enumerated in the table constitute *at least three fourths of the fertilizing power of our manure, while the vegetables themselves contribute only about one fourth, ar rather are merely considered as the retainers of the ley. It follows, naturally, that the more we increase the dose of ingredients, the more strong and powerful our manure becomes ; and it would haA^e been hazardous to indicate, primarily, the lesser quantities, for then success would not have been quite so certain, especially when beginners operate upon a small quantity of vegetables. But you, reader, who are perhaps a skilful cultivator, or may have acquired some practical knowledge of this system, may, with the same quantity of ley and dose of ingredients specified in the table, reduce double the weight of vegetables — that is, 2 or 4, instead of 1 or 2 tons. No doubt this manure will be less powerful; still it will be equal at least to stable or yard manure.

By reference to the Method, it will be perceived that most of the prescribed ingredients to form the ley, may either be dispensed with entirely, if occasion should require, or other articles may be substituted in th«ir place. The following important table, showing to what extent these ingredients may be augmented or diminished, without seriously affecting the result, has too frequently escaped observation in its appropriate place in the body of the work. To prevent the recurrence of such an oversight, it is here inserted : —

1st. Lime — 2 bushels maybe reduced to 1 bushel, or augmented to 8 bushels.

2d. Soot— 2 bushels do do 5 bushels.

3d. Ashes — 2 bushels do 1 do 8 bushels.

4th. Salt — 4 pounds do do 16 pounds.

5th. Saltpetre — 2 pounds do do 100 pounds.

6th. Plaster — 5 bushels do 2 do 15 bushels.

7th. Excrements — 3 barrels do 2 do 12 barrels.

8th. Leaven — 1 barrel do do 10 barrels.

I If you employ a large quantity of vegetables at once, you may reduce still

12 PRELIMINARY HINTS.

more the dose of ingredients above given. Consult paragraph. 2d of article 4th, 2d section, 2d part of the work.

Vegetable Manure hy Irrigation.

As this mode is commonly regarded to be more practicable than that performed by immersion, on account of its being attended with less labor, it may be proper to remark, that even this may be found far less laborious than the detailed description of the performance would seem to indicate. The manufacturer of manure on this plan will find that much more depends on the quality of his ley than on the observance of every minutia in the manner of performing the labor. Indeed, such is the scarcity and expense of labor in this country, that in most cases it would be advisable greatly to abridge the labor of preparing the vegetable materials, and also in the construction of the heap. It is conceived that all that is essential to insure success in the performance is, 1st. To be particular in obtaining a due preparation of the ley ; 2d. To be careful to see that every portion of the mass is thoroughly wet with the liquor at the time of forming and finishing the heap, and at suitable intervals twice afterward. 3d. As a precaution, it may be proper to remark that, if a heap is partially watered in its erection, it is usually advisable to complete the heap with tolerable expedition, as fermentation will soon commence with the parts first watered, and a tardy completion of the heap would render the parts first put up and wet liable to have fermentation interrupted by the successive waterings of other parts of the heap. All danger in this respect may be avoided, by having the vegetable materials at hand of which the heap is to be composed, and to observe due care to finish the formation, and first watering in twenty-four hours from its commencement.

Vegetable and Mineral Composts, in which hogs and other swampy matters are

included.

It may appear to some, who are desirous of using such substances, that the process of cutting bogs, &c., into small pieces, as described in the Method, is too laborious and expensive for general adoption. For the encouragement of such persons, it may be stated as a matter of fact, that very satisfactory results have been obtained in the decomposition of such substances, by following the Method in other respects, while the inconvenience of cutting into small pieces has been entirely avoided.

Earth Manure.

This valuable article, which affords one of the best top-dressings for meadows, and is well adapted to about every description of crop which may be cultivated, may everywhere be manufactured at little expense. The modes of manufacture are simple, and are clearly described in the work.

TTnion > M 1? T TI n "n ^ '^° ^°'® nothing

is strength. J ItI Ij Ji IL \J U , C is economy.

Section First. Process To Make Vegetable Manure By I'ermentation

Article First. — Of Saturated Water.

Saturated water, such as we desire, is to be met with at ahnost every step in the country. It is simply water in which vegetable and animal matters have been suffered to decompose and rot. Pure water, in case of need, may serve | your purpose ; but as it is so easy to make this saturated water, and as it contributes so much to the decomposition and good quality of the manure, we recommend to farmers not to begrudge the trifling labor required in its preparation, and always to employ it in preference to pure water.

The first thing to be done is to be prepare a convenient reservoir to contain a sufficient quantity of the liquid. We employ for this purpose, hogsheads, vats, or small ponds. In case there are none of these at hand, a common ditch may be dug of sufficient size, the bottom and sides of which should be beaten so as to prevent the loss of water by filtration. If, notwithstanding these precautions, the soil will not retain the water, an old cask of the largest size, with one head knocked out and buried to the brim, will answer every purpose.

After a time, when the farmer is convinced of the utility of this method, he will find it to his advantage to establish permanent reservoirs. These reservoirs should be so placed that the water may flow into them freely. Into these reservoirs may be thrown all easily-decaying vegetable or animal substances, such as weeds growing on the banks of ditches and around houses, the remains of dead animals, urine, sweepings of the house, slops of the kitchen, and similar materials.

Add to this liquid about a pint of quick-lime to every barrel of water. From time to time, stir up the whole from its depth with a long pole,* and fermentation will soon commence.

The necessary time for this water to acquire all its qualities, varies according to the quantity and nature of the material which may be put into it, and according tQ the temperature of the air. It may arrive at this point in about eight days, while at other times three weeks, or even a month, are necessary. The only rule which you have to observe in this respect, is, that the water shall be

* For this purpose, a handle inserted in the half round of a little barrel head will make an instrument that will amply repay its cost ft in full fermentation, and as highly charged as possible with the materials which you have put into it. After all, too much importance should not be attached to the perfect preparation of this liquid ; it is only one of the means of making the manure with the more despatch and economy.

It frequently happens that the farmer finds this saturated water already made : ihe stagnant and corrupt water in ditches and ponds on the farm, or near it — all low spots where water gathers and stagnates, will furnish a saturated water of excellent quality. Saturated water serves to temper the materials which compose the lye, and to feed them.

Article Second. — Place of Operation.

Wherever the farmer has made or found his reservoirs, there also should be his manure heap, whether in the farm-ya,rd or the field. An oblong square spot should be fixed upon, of a size suitable to the quantity of the manure to be made.

This being staked out, you throw the earth from the inside of your lines, until the excavation has a depth of six inches in the higher part, and nine in the lower ; this will give to the excavation a fall of three inches toward the reservoir for the lye which will be spoken of in article third.

Afterward you cut obliquely the sides of the excavation, so as to give an inclination toward its base, in order that the air may penetrate under the heap through the vent-holes, which are in the supports of the grate, which will be spoken of in the following article.

This done, level perfectly the ground, beat or puddle all the surface so as to prevent the filtration of the drainings ; then make, within two feet of each other, some small gutters across the breadth of the excavation, which should be one inch deep and four inches wide, into which irday laths of the same dimensions, so that they be level with the surface of the excavation.

These laths, so placed, are intended to prevent the sinking of the grate into the earth, which might be occasioned by the weight of the heap.

Below is the plan of the excavation, or ground-plan of a heap : —

Fig. 1.

A. Represents the border or embankment of earth, spoken of in the first part of Art. 2.

B. Represents the obliquely cut on the side of the excavation, spoken of in the second part of Art. 2.

c. Represents the earth inside the excavation.

D. Represents the laths, spoken of at the end of Art, 2.*

• These lalhs or bars acres the platform are necessary only when the soil is light, or, in short, not very solid; should the soil be clayey, compact, and solid, these bars are useless, anil may be omitted.

Article Third. — Grate vpoii which the Heap is built.

To construct this grate, take laths of from three to five inches wide, and half to one inch thick, place them at from one to one and a half inches distance from each other, upon wooden supports, one inch thick and six inches high in the high part, and nine inches high in the lower part, or toward the reservoir, so that when the grate is set upon the excavation it will be upon a level with the exterior soil.

The laths ought to be as long as the width of the excavation, and the supports as long as the length of it, because the grate covers all the surface of the excavation.

The number of laths will depend upon the length of the excavation, and that of the supports upon the breadth. These last should be placed at two feet distance from each other, to commence at the interior edge of the excavation on each side. In this manner the grate will have sufficient strength to support all the weight of the heap.

Before nailing the laths upon the supports, three openings should be made in each support, where they do not rest upon the excavated ground ; that is to say, you should make in each support three vent-holes with the saw, half the height of the support and one foot wide.

These vent-holes should be made in the intervals of the large laths which are inlaid in and traverse the excavation, so that in all cases the wood of the supports may rest upon the laths.