Wiscoiisin State Draintage Association



                   MANURE ON MARSH SOILS.
  On marsh soils where there is a deficiency of only one or two
elements and a comparatively large amount of nitrogen it does
not seem wise to add manure which in itself contains a large
amount of nitrogen. Marsh soils in central and northern Wis-
consin in general need phosphorus and potash. The amount of
phosphorus and potash in 10 tons of barnyard manure can be
purchased in the form of rock phosphate and ashes for $5.00
while the manure is worth $15.00 to upland soiL The ashes
also contain lime which is not found in manure. The commer-
cial phosphorus ashes or potash should be purchased to supply
this deficiency and the manure applied to upland soils where
the organic matter and nitrogen are needed. However, there
is one exception to this rule. On raw peat lands where horse
manure has been applied the crop yield are usually larger than
when the same amount of phosphorus and potash- are applied
in the form of commercial fertilizers. This increase in yield
is partly due to the amount as well as availability of plant food
added but is largely due to the addition of those bacteria which
cause the decomposition of organic matter. Manure not only
adds these bacteria in large numbers but also furnishes readily
available plant food for them to live on and develop until such
time when they can gain a foothold and do their work in the soil.
It is advisable therefore to apply horse manure to marsh soils,
but the application should be light and be put on with the idea of
inoculating as much soil as possible. Three to four tons of
manure per acre will be sufficient for this purpose. Loam soils
rich in limestone where bacteria are present in large quantities
may, possibly, also be used to inoculate newly drained, raw,
peat lands with the necessary bacteria. Experiments along this
line are being carried on at the present time and further data
will be available soon. As stated previously, lime should be ap-
plied to furnish a suitable medium for those bacteria to develop.

                 POTASSIUM ON MARSH SOILS.

  The analyses of marsh soils made up to the present time indi-
cate that the potassium content varies from 200 to 1,820 pounds
per acre for peat soils and from 4,200 to 8,300 for marsh soils



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