Oxford Democrat

Mr. Jordan's Statement.

Kennebunk, Oct. 12, 1858.

Experiments on Manures. I have for the last eight years made from three to four hundred loads of compost manure annually, and find by experience that there is no danger of making too much, as it will make grass grow if applied in large or small quantities, and with good results, whether it be strong or weak, but with better results of course with the best compost.

I will state to you the manner in which I manage my manure heap, and how I make compost for my farm, which is of a loamy nature, and the results for the last four years of my experience.

In the month of October I haul some two hundred loads of sandy loam, taking it some three feet deep, soil, subsoil and sand, into my yard, which covers it some two feet deep. I then turn my hogs on to the same, as their pens join the barnyard: some twenty in number heretofore, but not so many at present, but more neat stock to make up the deficiency in hogs.

In addition to the above, I bed daily from twelve to twenty head of cattle and horses the season through, when it can be had at the rate of one ox load per day, with the same material which is thrown into the yard daily, and during the winter, bed with salt hay or the orts of other cheap hay, after being culled over by dry cows and young stock.

In the month of June I take the manure from the barn, hauling and spreading evenly over the yard, and then digging it over together, mixing thoroughly; continue bedding the cows some twelve or fifteen, through the summer, and throwing the same to the hogs in the same yard until the first of September, at which time I commence digging over again and applying to the grass with wonderful effects, dressing some eight or ten acres annually.

I have at present some ten or twelve acres of grass on the sward, having been plowed in the fall, mowed in March to gram seed alone or harrowed and sowed to barley and grass later, and manure applied in September after, at the rate of sixty ox loads to the acre, more or less, according to the condition of the soil, sowing again lightly to grass seed the next March, sowing mostly clover and red or blue top, and never failed of a good catch on the second sowing, and I will guarantee that the above named number of acres of grass cannot be matched in this County by the same number of acres in any one piece or field that has been plowed, pulverized and dressed, one, two or three years, and then laid to grass.

To show the results of my compost, I will just state that I now cut 50 tons of hay on seven-eighths of the land mowed eight years since, producing 15 tons, and have brought in the old pasture of 13 acres, plowed, dressed and sowed, that is now producing some ten or twelve tons annually, after four and five years mowing.

The cost of the above will depend somewhat upon the distance of the material hauled. I can haul with a man and two yoke of oxen 20 loads of three feet each per day into my yard, and a heap of 300 loads will not cost me over $75.00, prepared for grass, which is, in my estimation, worth more load for load, than green manure spread on, and will produce more grass.

I will just state that the number of tons cut is not guess work, as is the case usually, as I sold in 1854-55 40 tons of hay annually having some 12 or 15 tons left for home consumption.

I have no witness to this statement on composting, as the pamphlet does not require it, but can get them from all parts of the County of York if required, as my field has been visited by hundreds to see the grass and especially on the twelve acres in the sward, dressed with the above named compost and nothing more.

HENRY JORDAN.
[Union and Journal.]