HIGHLY IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. 
 
 FACTS AND TESTIMONIALS 
 
 IN RELATION TO 
 
 A PATENT METHOD 
 
 OF MAKING 
 
 COMPOST MANURE 
 
 INVENTED BY 
 
 GEORGE BOMMER, OF NEW YORK. 
 ELI BARNETT, 
 
 OF WESTVILLE, NEW HAVEN COUNTY, CONN., PROPRIETOR. 
 
 Individual Rights, with a copy of the Method, sold at a moderate 
 price. Township, County, and State Rights, estimated according to 
 their agricultural importance. All letters addressed to the Proprietor, 
 post paid, shall receive prompt attention. 
 
 C. S. Du.\NiNg, General Agent and Contractor for Virginia, North 
 Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida. 
 Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois; Chaki.es Bali:, 
 do. Georgia ; H. H. Sherman, and E. Hoole, do. Pennsylvania and 
 Maine ; S» C. Babcock, do. Vermont. All other authorized agents will, 
 be furnished with appropriate credentials. 
 
 Patent and copyrights duly secured and recorded. 
 
 NEW HAVEN: 
 
 H. BENHAM, PRINTER. 
 
 1348. 
 
PROPRIETOR'S ADDRESS. 
 
 Fellow Citizens : I am happy to be able to offer you 
 one of the most important agricultural improvements that 
 has characterized the age. You do not need to be told that 
 manure is indispensable for the successful cultivation of 
 3'our farms ; or that that system is the most desirable which 
 will secure the greatest amount of the best manure, in the 
 shortest time, and with the least expense. It is only ne- 
 cessary to satisfy you that these advantages do actually 
 unite in Bommer's Method, to induce you to appreciate its 
 importance, and to avail yourselves of its advantages. If 
 expedition in its production were the only advantage, we 
 might suppose that what we gained in the saving of time 
 might be sacrificed in the expense or quality of the manure. 
 But it is now demonstrated, by the clearest evidence, that 
 Bommer's Method is capable of converting, expeditiously 
 and economically, not only all vegetable substances, muck, 
 peat, &c, but also common earth, into a rich and fertiliz- 
 ing manure, more efficient and durable in its effects than 
 stable manure. The resources for making the manure are 
 inexhaustible — consequently it can be made to any extent 
 desired. Many of the ingredients to make the manure are 
 universally attainable by every farmer, without cost, and 
 the balance, so far as indispensable, can be procured at 
 trifling expense. It is scarcely possible to enumerate all the 
 advantages which Bommer's Method is capable of produ- 
 cing, if it should become generally introduced and faith- 
 fully improved throughout our extended and favored coun- 
 try. I am aware that different sections may have their 
 peculiar advantages and disadvantages connected with their 
 particular localities, but I know of- no section where Bom- 
 mer's Method would be inapplicable and useless. Espe- 
 cially wherever a plentiful supply of the best manure, with 
 the least expense, is a desirable ohject, there should Bom- 
 mer's Method be practically introduced, with the least pos- 
 sible delay. Wherever domestio endearments and the 
 
sweets of home render it desirable that lands, which have 
 hitherto administered to our support, should retain unim- 
 paired their wonted fertility, and eventually descend to 
 posterity as an evidence that they have been rendered bet- 
 ter by our occupancy, there should Bommer's Method be 
 regarded as indispensable. And where worn-out lands, 
 which were once productive, are exhausted and do not 
 compensate for their tillage, let Bommer's Method con- 
 vert the barren waste into a. fruitful field. In shortj let 
 Bommer's Method receive the patronage it deserves, theo- 
 retically and practically, with the ordinary blessing of 
 Providence, it will augment the wealth of our country to 
 an inconceivable extent, and while its benefits immediately 
 accrue to the agriculturist who employs it, the advantages 
 will indirectly advance the general interests of society. 
 ELI BARNETT, Proprietor. 
 
 ' North Carolina, Sept., 1848. 
 
 Eli Barnett, Esq., Westville, Ct., 
 
 Dear Sir, — Since I- purchased from you, in March 
 last, the right for the Southern States for Bommer's Meth- 
 od for making Manure, its great value has been fairly and 
 fully tested and demonstrated in a great number of in- 
 stances, and in various sections of the country, particu- 
 larly in North Carolina, and Virginia. It affords me un- 
 feigned pleasure to say to you, it has proved eminently 
 successful in every trial, and its results perfectly satis- 
 factory to all concerned. 
 
 In the sale of this valuable Method to our Planters and 
 Farmers here, I have pursued the plan of constructing 
 large heaps on Plantations and Farms — following the direc- 
 tions of the Method strictly. These heaps have been com- 
 posed of every variety of both vegetable and mineral sub- 
 stances — such as oak leaves, pine straw, the raking oft" 
 from the woods, corn stalks, coarse grass, reeds from the 
 swamps, weeds and straw from all kinds of small grains, 
 boggs, swamp mad and muck, earth, ditch bank, &c. &c. 
 In short it has been found by the application of this Meth- 
 od, material may be found on every Farm and Plantation 
 at any season of the year, from which large quantities of 
 the richest, most fertilizing Manure may be produced in 
 
the short space of twenty or thirty days, and at much lese 
 expense than by any other Method heretofore known by our 
 most experienced, scientific agriculturists. The cash out- 
 lav to the farmer being no more than the cost of a few 
 barrels of lime, to produce a thousand loads of the very 
 best kind of Manure, rich in fertilizing qualities, adapted 
 to all kinds of soil and every variety of plants. The 
 Bommer Method of making Manure, particularly com- 
 mends itself to the favor of our Southern Planters, where 
 large quantities of Manure is so much needed and may be 
 produced at so little cost. By this Method the farmer may 
 locate and put up his heaps at any distance he pleases 
 from his barn-yard, horse or cattle pounds, or lots, at any 
 point on his Plantation most convenient for his operations^ 
 where the greatest amount of materials is found and near- 
 est to the fields he wishes to manure. Here the vast 
 amount of materials found on every farm, but which here- 
 tofore remained useless on account of the distance and 
 great expense of hauling and loss of time, may now be 
 put up into heaps and converted into the best manure in a 
 few days' time, at any season of the year, and at a trifling 
 expense compared with any Method before known. _ Here 
 the farmer may prepare thousands of loads of the best 
 manure, ready for his worn-out lands, for any crop he 
 pleases, and which he could not manure by any other 
 method ; thereby increasing his crops, and greatly en- 
 hancing the value of his lands. 
 
 Wherever these heaps have been put up for exhibition, 
 farmers, planters, scientific men, chemists, and all others 
 interested in the advancement of agriculture in our State, 
 have been invited to witness the process of erecting the 
 heap, and the subsequent waterings with the ley ; and 
 when matured, which has generally been in about twenty 
 four days, all have been invited to be present at the open- 
 ing of the heap, and to examine the manure for themselvesi 
 We have in all cases invited the most scrutinizing exam- 
 ination by farmers, men of science, and the best chemists 
 of our country, who have invariably found our Bommer 
 manure to contain, in great quantities, all those salts and 
 gases so valuable and precious to the farmer in restoring 
 his worn-out lands, and producing every kind of crop. It 
 
is found to be in many respects far superior to any other 
 manure before known or used, and all have united in pro- 
 nouncing it the most practical, speedy, effectual, and by 
 far the cheapest method yet discovered, as you will readily 
 see by the numerous certificates and testimonials from our 
 best practical and scientific agriculturists, which I now 
 transmit to you for publication. 
 
 The introduction of the Bommer Method of making 
 manure into the Southern States at this time, is hailed by 
 the friends of agriculture as the harbinger of a better and 
 a more prosperous state of things in our Planting interest. 
 In a country like ours, where large quantities of manure 
 are so indispensably necessary in the cultivation of our 
 lands, and producing remunerating crops, cheapness and 
 dispatch are the grand desiderata with the farmers; and 
 here the Bommer Method seems happily to come in, ex- 
 actly suited and adapted to our wants, By the adoption 
 of this economical Method,, our lands in North Carolina 
 may now be made fertile and productive, and abundant 
 •crops realized, and our worn-out lands and fields restored, 
 When this is done, we shall see the vast tide of emigra- 
 tion from the good old State of North Carolina to other 
 States, to new and richer lands, checked and stopped ; and 
 possessing, as she does, one of the finest climates in the 
 world, she will rise with her sister States in the scale of 
 agricultural importance, wealth, and prosperity. 
 
 The right for the use of the Bommer Manure Method 
 is now afforded to all classes of farmers on such reasona- 
 ble terms, that every one can well afford to purchase it, 
 and avail themselves of its great benefits, without delay, 
 It is now believed by all intelligent Planters, and those most 
 deeply interested in our agricultural improvement and 
 prosperity, that this Method will shortly be very generally 
 adopted and practised throughout our State. And now 
 since the practicability and beneficial results of the Bom- 
 mer Method is seen and realized, we have been frequently 
 •solicited and urged by many of our most talented men, 
 practical and experienced agriculturists, not to relinquish 
 our efforts for the sale of this Method until its general 
 •adoption is secured thorughout the State. We shall con- 
 tinue our efforts, and believe we shall soon accomplish this 
 1* 
 
desirable end. In the meaa time shall be happy to com^ 
 municate to you the progress we make. 
 
 Respectfully and cordially your friend, 
 
 C. S. DUNNING. 
 
 FACTS AND TESTIMONIALS. 
 
 [From the Warrenton {±s. C.) Reporter.} 
 BOMMER MANURE. 
 
 As a subject which should be unusually interesting to the 
 agricultural portion of our readers, we recommend attention 
 to the method of making manure patented by George Bom- 
 mer five years ago, which has been very generally adopted 
 in Virginia, Maryland, most of the Northern States, and is 
 now coming into practical use in several of our Eastern 
 counties. From the testimonials of very many of our best 
 practical agriculturists, there seems to be no doubt that it 
 is the most effectual, economical, and speedy method of 
 making manure yet discovered. 
 
 The Heap of Materials laid up on the plantation of Mr. 
 Kemp Plummer, by the Proprietors of the Patent for this 
 State, was examined on the 6th inst. by upwards of thirty 
 of our Planters and Scientific men, and the result was such 
 as to prove satisfactory to the most prejudiced mind. The 
 heap was iu an advanced stage of decomposition, suitable 
 for immedite application, and fully equal to the best Lot 
 Manure. 
 
 We are pleased to learn that many adopted the Method, 
 indicating that the dormant spirit of agricultural improve- 
 ment is not entirely extinguished in our county. That our 
 lands are capable of being made fertile and of producing 
 remunerating crops instead of the meager apologies now 
 realized from them, is beyond a doubt to the least atten- 
 tive observer. All that is necessary, is to awaken a spirit 
 of inquiry, so that a knowledge of the true merits of any 
 improvement may eradicate the absurd prejudicies so often 
 impeding any progress in agriculture. 
 
 The Right for the use of the Bommer Method is secured 
 by Letters Patent, but the Proprietors offer it on such reason - 
 able terms as to remove all obstacles to its general adoption; 
 and if by so simple a process our barren fields may be made 
 productive, it is to be hoped that no one will be found so want- 
 ing in public spirit as not to encourage it. 
 
COMMENDATORY NOTICES FROM GENTLEMEN OF SCI- 
 ENCE AND INFLUENCE IN DIFFERENT STATES. 
 From the Transactions of the N. Y. Agricultural Society 
 
 — Prize Essay on the preparation and use of Manures, by 
 
 Willis Gaylord. 
 
 Bommer's patent manure is compost made in a scientific 
 and accurate manner, every part of the process so man- 
 aged as to produce a perfect fermentation, without the loss 
 of any of the valuable parts of the constituents used. 
 
 From a knowledge of the process employed by him, we 
 are able to say, that where his directions are followed, a 
 powerful and valuable manure cannot fail to be produced. 
 
 From Professor Ives, of. Yale College, Neio Haven, Ct. 
 
 Rev. E. Barnett, Sir — I have examined the pamphlet 
 of Mr. Bommer on the subject of making manure. His 
 method is founded on correct philosophical principles, 
 agreeably to those recently advanced by Leibeg. If farm- 
 ers can be induced to purchase the Method and thoroughly 
 execute his plan of making manure, in my opinion it will 
 very much increase the value of farms in this State. 
 
 ELI IVES. 
 
 From Professor Cleaveland, of Boicdoin College, Me. 
 I have read the description of the several processes pro- 
 posed by Mr. G. Bommer, for the preparation of vegetable 
 manure, and believe the subject to be highly deserving of 
 the attention of farmers. The manure thus produced, is 
 well adapted to promote the growth of vegetation. By 
 following these processes, the firmer not only greatly in- 
 creases his supply of good manure, but can prepare it at 
 the time he may need it. This Method of manufacturing 
 manure may also be commended on the principle of econ- 
 omy ; for it enables the farmer to convert into a useful 
 article the straw, weeds, and other vegetable matter, found 
 on every farm, at a moderate expense, in addition to hLs 
 own labor. One great error in agriculture, is. the cultiva- 
 tion of too much land with too little manure. To remedy 
 this evil, a smaller number of acres must be cultivated, or 
 the quantity of manure increased. The latter may be ef- 
 fected by Mr. Bommer's process. P. CLEAVELAND. 
 
Certificate from Hon. W. B. Calhoun, President of Hamp. 
 den County Agricultural Society. 
 
 Springfield, Mass., Nov. 2d, 1847. 
 
 I have examined with a good deal of attention the sys- 
 tem of making manures by George Bommer, and am clear 
 in the opinion that it is of great value. 
 
 Every farmer has abundant materials within his own 
 grounds for making any quantity of manure. Bommer's 
 Method shows the way to make it of the very best quality 
 and in a brief ,space of time. The system is simple, the 
 expense of the process trifling, and the result highly effica- 
 cious. 
 
 The application of the system to barn yard manures and 
 earth is very important. One of the great advantages of 
 Bommer's process is the destruction of foul seeds, effected 
 by high fermentation; and the effect is to render cultiva- 
 tion clear and thorough. 
 
 Bommer's book contains, I think, a great amount of val- 
 uable information concerning the nature of manures, and 
 their adaptation to particular soils and crops, and is a very 
 useful and instructive manual on the subject of manures. 
 
 WM. B. CALHOUN. 
 
 Egypt, N. C, July 4, 1843. 
 J. H. Upton, Esq., 
 
 Dear Sis, — I am in receipt of your regarded favor, 
 under date of 21st u!t. I paid $20 for Bommer's Method, 
 some three years since. The book clearly illustrates the 
 process, and I found no difficulty in making the manure. 
 I have substituted coperas for salt-petre, and use the cop- 
 peras very freely, with lime and unslacked ashes, in form- 
 ing the lye to wet the kiln, which ought to be thoroughly 
 done every four days till the lye runs through the kiln 
 freely. In two or three weeks the manure is rotted for 
 use. I make two kilns at the same time, and have them 
 so arranged that the waste lye from both will run into same 
 vat. It may be made of any kind of litter, such as the 
 rakings of leaves from the woods, any kind of straw from 
 small grain, &c. The manure may be varied in strength, 
 in proportion to the strength of the lye, but by following the 
 Method, manure can be made of the best quality. I make 
 
six kilns every spring, about 12 feet wide by 28 long, and 
 7 feet high. Believing I have given you all the informa- 
 tion necessary, I shall subscribe myself) 
 
 Yours Respectfully, 
 
 PETER EVANS. 
 
 Gales County, N. C> July 1th, 1848. 
 J. H. UftoN) Esq., — The drought, (which lasted almoti'. 
 from the time you left till you wrote,) caused my corn to 
 look so bad that I did not think prudent to answer you be- 
 fore. But since it has rained, my Bommer corn is in a beau- 
 tiful, growing condition. You know that the land I planted 
 it upon was so worn out that the old stalks were not lar^er 
 tlian my finger, but the present crop on the same land ma- 
 nured with Bommer, 1 think will be first rate; and I find 
 Bommer to be a choice manure for potatoes. 
 
 Yours, &C. 
 OLIVER H. SAVAGE, 
 
 I purchased a right for the use of the Bommer Method 
 of making ■manure, in May, 1848, and erected a heap of 
 about 1000 loads, consisting of pine straw, reeds, oak- 
 leaves, and swampy matter. The heap was opened 24 
 days after erection, in, presence of many gentlemen, and 
 the result was productive of the utmost satisfaction to all. 
 The materials were in an advanced stage of decomposi- 
 tion, and presented the appearance of rich and valuable 
 manure. I have, up to this time, put up about 5000 loads, 
 and am so well pleased with the Method that I shall con- 
 tinue its use, believing it to be the most economical and 
 effectual way of making manure. The cash outlay is very 
 small, and the labor not exceeding the ordinary mode of 
 making yard manure. 
 
 • I most cheerfully recommend the Method as being of 
 great value, more particularly in our section of country, 
 where large quantities of manure are required bevond the 
 amount supplied by stock. THOS. P. LITTLE. 
 
 Hertford County, N. C, May, 1848. 
 
 We the undersigned, having been present at the opening 
 cf the heap of manure laid up after Bommer s Method, and 
 
10 
 
 opened on this, the 24th day after its completion, take 
 pleasure in stating that we find the mass (composed of oak 
 leaves, pine and wheat straw, reeds and muck) far advan- 
 ced in a state of decomposition, and in what we conceive 
 to be in the best state to apply to land broadcast; present- 
 ing the appearance of rich and valuable' manure, and af- 
 fording us evidence, by every means which we possess of 
 testing its value, of its being a most excellent manure. 
 
 From the specimens which we have seen, we highly ap- 
 prove of the Method and recommend its adoption to the 
 entire agricultural comrrfuhity. 
 
 Sam'l A. Darden. J. W. Hutchings. 
 
 Jet R. Darden. Thos. N. Myrick. 
 
 Geo. W. Peet. James Maget. 
 
 B. T. Spiers. James H. Maget. 
 
 Richard G. Cowper. William J. Maget. 
 
 Jno. P. Bridges. Sam'l D. Winbone. 
 
 Hertford County, State of North Carolina, > 
 June 23d, 1848. < 
 
 We the subscribers, citizens of Yates County, N. C, 
 having examined a heap of Bommer manure made in our 
 County, in May, 1848, do certify that we are highlypleased 
 with the success of the Method, and believe it to be of 
 great utility and importance to the farming interest. 
 
 The Method is a speedy way of converting all kinds of 
 •vegetable and mineral matter into a rich and highly fertil- 
 izing manure, superior in many respects to yard manure. 
 The success of the Method has been practically demon- 
 strated to us, beyond a doubt, and we cheerfully recom- 
 mend it to the farmers of our County as being eminently 
 worthy of their adoption. 
 
 W. G. Daughty. Cord ay Y'. Savage. 
 
 Thos. Riddick. R. Lassiter. 
 
 W. J. Baker. O. H. Savage. 
 
 H. C Willey. Dr. Jno. Gatling. 
 
 We the subscribers, citizens of Hertford County, N. C, 
 having examined a heap of Bommer manure erected in 
 our County in June, 1848, and highly pleased with the r e 
 
11 
 
 suit, being satisfied of the value of the manure and the 
 importance and economy of the Method. The heap open- 
 ed on the 17th day of June, 1848, 23 days after erection, 
 presented the appearance of rich and highly fertilizing 
 manure. Great benefit must be derived from the certain 
 destruction of the seeds of all noxious weeds. The heap 
 was composed of dry. materials, Vegetable and Mineral 
 We cheerfully recommend the Method to our farmers, as 
 being profitable and economical. 
 
 Jno. P. Bridges. J. W. Hutcrtngs. 
 
 R. H. WoRTHINGTON. DAVID GATLING. 
 
 A. W. Moore. William Dunning. 
 
 Pleasant Jordan. Benj. H. Perkins. 
 
 This may certify that I purchased Bommer's Method 
 last fall, and have put up two heaps, composed of corn- 
 stalks, straw, and leaves ; and found them decomposed to 
 my satisfaction in fifteen days. The expense of the ma- 
 terials to decompose the heaps did not cost over fifteen or 
 twenty cents per cord ; the labor is only such as is necessa- 
 ry to form a compost heap of any kind. 
 
 Eli Sargent, 
 
 Brattlcboro, Vt., May 13, 1848. 
 
 I hereby certify that I have tried the Bommer process 
 of making manure, and highly approve of making the 
 same. I have no hesitation in saying that I feel confident 
 that the system is a valuable one, as my corn that I ma- 
 nured with this manure, looks better than that manured 
 with sta'ble manure. The cost of the materials that I pur- 
 chased was not over twenty cents to the cord. 
 
 E. S. Woods. 
 
 Windsor. Vt., June 7, 1848. 
 
 This may certify, that I purchased Bommer's Method of 
 making manure, this Spring, and made one heap of about 
 three cords, in which I used corn stalks and straw, and it 
 mostly decomposed ; and I have no doubt in regard to the 
 svstem, and can safely recommend it to farmers. 
 
 Andrew R. Adams. 
 
 Windsor, Vt., June 8th, 1848. 
 
12 
 
 This certifies that I have carefully examined the Bom me* 
 Method df making manure, and am fully satisfied that his 
 Method will be of great advantage to the farmer, and will 
 cause two blades of grass to grow where but one now grows, 
 and with but a trifle of expense to the farmer. 
 
 Pom/ret, Yt., May 29lh, 1343- Gard-xer Wixslow. 
 
 This may certify that I have practiced manufacturing 
 manure by Bommer's Method for three years, having made 
 over one hundred loads the past season, and find it both con- 
 venient and profitable, and can very cheerfully recommend 
 it to others. Aarox P. Lynde. 
 
 . pringfield, Yt., March 16th, 1843. 
 
 I hereby certify that I have partially tried Bommer's 
 process of making manure, and am satisfied it as the best 
 way to decompose all kinds of weeds, &c, and consider it 
 worth all 1 paid for it. Uriah Wilkiss. 
 
 Stow, Sept. 6th, 1348. 
 
 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. 
 
 1 have recently purchased Bommer's Patent Manure 
 Method, and having examined it very carefully, am per- 
 fectly satisfied in regard to its practical utility, and am of 
 the opinion that it will be of great advantage to the farm- 
 ■cra of this State if they will put it in practice. I have 
 no hesitation in saying that Bommer's method is founded 
 upon correct principles, and that by following its directions, 
 every farmer may, at small expense and reasonable labor, 
 manufacture his own manure, almost entirely within his 
 own resources. " Union is strength." " To lose nothing 
 is economy." , Bommer's method beautifully illustrates 
 the meaning and force of these quotations, for it teaches 
 how to unite together many articles about a farm that have 
 usually been considered of little or no importance, and how. 
 with a trifling outlay for other ingredients, to convert the 
 whole into a manure that must, in my opinion, be strong 
 ar.j durable. I have already commenced putting the sys- 
 tem in practice, and have no doubt that it will be of more 
 advantage to me the present year, than the cost of half a 
 dozen rights. Samcee West. 
 
 Clissler, Delaware Co., May 5, 1843.