Farm and Garden Compendium; Agriculture, Horticulture, Floriculture (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893. Excerpt: ... need. We have frequently tested earth with the microscope and recently in an investigation found lime and organic matter in some earth through the microscope. T. B. MILLER, M. D. Philadelphia, Feb. 19th, 1893. HOME-MADE FERTILIZERS, The first occupation spoken of in the bible is farming, and the first farmer was Cain. Farmers in ancient times differed anrnzinly from those of modern times, appliances and utensils now used were unheard of a few centuries ago. When I-was a boy fifty years ago, there were but few labor saving machines, it was hard work and plenty of it. But, as that is the case I cannot see that the world has grown much wiser on the fertilizing question. I remember well the first ton of Peruvian guano that my father bought: its smell was audacious, for it would take hold of the olfactories as a delight, with a terrible tenacity that only soap and water could relieve, it was my work to spread this over the field designed for wheat, it was a field not rich by any means. The wheat was sown by hand. I have never seen a better field anywhere than this highly scented guano produced. In the spring my father sewed clover and timothy, and the next season a very large crop of hay was gathered and from time to time my father used this guano with marked success. I have never known its equal. The fertilizers of the present day are prepared carelessly and adulterated, Bone dust when you can get it from reliable parties is par excellence for many crops and soils. Over twenty years ago I was interested with my brother-in law in a farm in Chester Co., Pa. I took charge of the truck patch of about five acres. I hired a man to work it, but as I was living in Philadelphia he took his own course. I sent him one ton or Phillip's Phosphate; I instructed him how to ...