Night-soil
An extremely powerful Manure, and one which is rich in nitrogen. Its proper application to crops is generally attended with good results, but Night-soil is not used nearly so much as it might be, partly on account of its offensive odour. This may be effectually taken away by mixing with a deodorizer, such as dry earth, sifted ashes, or, better still, charcoal, or charred peat. Quicklime is frequently recommended, and answers for the purpose; but it, at the same time, dispels a large proportion of ammonia, which is a great loss to the manurial properties. Night-soil should be prepared in a compost for applying to garden crops; mixed with dry earth or charcoal-dust, it may be used lightly as a top-dressing for fruit-trees, especially vines, and for many vigorous-growing trees or plants. Sea Weeds. In a fresh state, these are frequently used as Manure near the coast, either for digging in the ground or for a top-dressing. The effect on crops is not a lasting one. When burnt, Sea Weeds yield a large proportion of ash, which is peculiarly rich in soda, and consequently valuable as a Manure. Soot. The fertilising properties of Soot are very valuable. It has an advantage over many other Manures, as it can hardly be misapplied. It should be kept dry until required for use. As a Manure for land, it may be applied at the rate of twenty bushels, or more, to an acre. Soot may be sown with advantage along the drills intended for Turnip, Onion, Carrot, and similar seeds, as, apart from its manurial properties, it materially assists to keep down the larvae of destructive insects.
Woollen Rags or Refuse. In some places, these are used with great success as a fertiliser for Potatoes and all green crops; but, as they are slow in decomposing, the effect produced is extended over a considerable period. The Rags should be chopped up in small pieces, and buried in the soil. II. Inorganic Manures.
Ammonia. One of the chief component parts of Manures, and one which has a powerful stimulating action on the growth of plants. It is formed by the decay of organic matter in the soil, and also in the air; and, being very soluble in water, is rapidly brought to a suitable state for assisting vegetation, by a plentiful supply of nitrogen. Ammonia may be supplied to plants by the application of organic Manures capable of forming it, or by the use of ammoniacal salts. These latter must be cautiously employed, as they are extremely powerful, and their effects are almost immediate. As a dressing for land, they may be applied at the rate of about 2 1/2cwt. per acre, in moist weather, or just before rain, which will quickly carry them into the earth. Ashes. Wood Ashes, and any small pieces of Charcoal that may be left as the remains of a fire, form excellent Manures, suitable for applying by themselves, or intermixing with others which are of a stronger nature. Wood ashes, being usually rich in potash, are specially valuable to plants requiring this element; but they will not supply the want of organic Manure. Charcoal has the important property of absorbing ammonia and other gases, and again giving them off for the nourishment of plants On this account, it is valuable as a deodorizer. Coal Ashes are valuable as manure in some cases, although inferior to the ashes obtained from wood and vegetables. If they contain many cinders, from not having been thoroughly burned, they are more suited to heavy than to light soils, as they tend to mechanical division, which, though beneficial to the former, may be injurious to the latter. Peat Ashes are also of great benefit. The peat must be thrown out, dried, and then burnt until it becomes charred through, and reduced to cinders. These latter form a valuable dressing for the soil.
Gypsum, or Sulphate of Lime, has been applied with success to crops of Turnips, Potatoes, &c., in quantities of one bushel on sandy, to five or six bushels on clay soil. It acts most beneficially on soils which are naturally dry, or have been made so by artificial drainage. It is not much employed as a Manure in this country.
Lime is a valuable Manure for some soils and plants; but to others its application proves very injurious. See Lime.
Liquor of Ammonia, at the rate of 1oz. to 4 gallons of water, has also a beneficial effect; but, as the strength varies, it should not be applied in larger quantities.
Marls. These are composed of carbonate of lime, mixed with clay, sand, or loam, and frequently with sulphate and phosphate of lime. They are adapted to the improvement of soils which are not already sufficiently charged with lime. Marl is improved by exposure to the sun, and especially to the frosts of winter, before spreading it on the land.