hey raise but little. Probably
about four loads are used per acre on the average. Each load is
generally thrown off the wagon in one large heap near where wanted, and
is allowed to lie until they use it. I can not tell how much it loses in
bulk by lying in the heap.

As to what crops it is used on, farmers do not think that they could go
amiss in applying it to anything except oats. But it is probably used
more for top-dressing mowing land, and for potatoes, than for anything
else.

The usual rotation is corn, potatoes, or oats, wheat seeded to clover
and timothy, and then kept in grass from two to four years. Those who
haul stable-manure, usually use bone-dust or superphosphate to a greater
or less extent.

Last December I built a pig-pen, 20 ft. x 40 ft., 1-1/2 stories high.
The upper story to be used for litter, etc. There is a four feet entry
on the north side, running the length of the building. The remainder is
divided into five pens, each 8 ft. x 16 ft. It is made so that in cold
weather it can be closed up tight, while in warmer weather it can be
made as open as an out-shed. I am very much pleased with it. The pigs
make a great deal of manure, and I believe that it can be made much
cheaper than it can be bought and hauled from Philadelphia.

JOSEPH HEACOCK, Jr.

Letter from Herman L. Routzahn.

MIDDLETOWN, Md., May 11th, 1876.

_Joseph Harris, Esq._:

I herewith proceed to answer questions asked.

Wheat and corn are principal crops. Corn is fed now altogether to stock
for the manure.

There is but little soiling done. The principal method of making manure
is: Feeding all the corn raised, as well as hay, oats, and roots, to
cattle; using wheat straw, weeds, etc., as bedding, throwing the manure
in the yard (uncovered), and to cover the pile with plaster (by sowing
broadcast), at least once a week. To this pile is added the manure from
the hog-pens, hen-house, etc., and worked over thoroughly at least twice
before using. It is then applied to corn by plowing _under_; to wheat,
as a top-dressing. For corn it is usually hauled to the field, thrown
off in heaps 25 feet each way, a cart-load making two heaps. Spread just
before the plow. For wheat, spread on directly after plowing, and
thoroughly harrowed in. Applied broadcast for potatoes. Composts of
different kinds are made and used same as in other localities,
I presume. Artificial manures are going into disrepute (justly too).
This is the