The GLIO Site

     BRAN AS MANURE. —In a letter to the Editor of the Mark-lane Express, Mr. Welch of Steep, near Petersfield, observes, 

"I beg, in confirmation of a letter that appeared in your paper of July 19, respecting the analysis and use of bran as a manure, to state the following facts:—ln 1839, some bran had been thrown on a meadow carelessly and inconsiderately, and where-ever so thrown, the marked improvement in the cut of the grass was so great as to draw attention to the fact; indeed, the benefit was greater than I ever saw from any other manure, when applied in such quantities, and at a cost that would be likely to leave a return for the outlay. This induced my giving it more attention in 1840, when I applied one-third of a ton to an acre, at a cost, at the time, of 37s., the return was an increase of half a ton of hay to an acre over the ground not so manured, equal last year in value to 3l., and the after-math was doubled, which I consider was worth 10s. per acre to me, and to all persons short of feed (which was generally the case in that year) would have proved of still greater value. Thus the account stands:—

On the whole, it appeared so beneficial and remunerating, that I have this year drilled some with my turnips; the soil is a sandy loam; the quantity used is a quarter of a ton per acre, at present worth 1l. 2s. 6d., being at the rate of 4l. 10s. per ton, whilst other portions of the field have been dressed with yard manure. Unto the present time, I am not able to detect the slightest difference; the portion where the bran is used being quite equal difference; the portion where the bran is used being quite equal to the dunged ground; but when the crop is matured, and in its greatest perfection, I will not fail of making a further report.— In applying the bran, I have damped it to prevent its blowing away, or else have chosen a damp day without wind ; but since the letter above alluded to appeared in your paper, I have heard of its being drilled with the turnip seed quite dry, and that it has run remarkably well.—On the whole, I feel pretty certain, that the moderate cost, the great facility of many farmers obtaining it from the neighbouring miller, its easy application, and its good result, will soon induce it to be reckoned among the most economical, and therefore the most beneficial of the manures that has lately called for the consideration of the agriculturist."