100 MR. JOHN JUST ON FAULTS IN FARMING. 



of manure with such admixtures to be so expended. Grass 

 crops require no such material ; and therefore, whether in 

 the grovmd or on the ground, there is a loss alike and waste 

 of what the litter contains. Such summer applications 

 may, and they do, make rank crops of eddish; and, if 

 this be the object of such treatment, the end seems in a 

 great degtee to be answered. When the subsoil is pervious 

 during the autumnal and winter rains, the greater portion 

 of the soluble parts of the manure gets therein, and the roots 

 of the grasses may follow it, and partake of the bene- 

 ficial effects; but, in a clayey district like the one around 

 us, such soluble portions are carried off into the drains, and 

 lost for ever. In no case, then, is the practice advisable. 



The object of the culture of grass for hay, is to promote 

 to the greatest extent blades, and suppress culms, in order 

 that as much nutriment as possible may be contained in the 

 hay, and as little as possible wasted, by the consumption of 

 the plants themselves in the processes of fecundation and 

 fructification. To secure the greatest quantity of blade 

 possible, highly azotised manures are necessary. Silicated 

 manures make culm more abundant. They are therefore 

 best suited for white crops of grain, and should be used when 

 the land is ploughed : whilst other manures, such as night- 

 soil, guano, liquid manures, dung mixed with soil and de- 

 odorising substances, best suit grass lands, and may be applied 

 most profitably in February, March, and even April of every 

 season, and so be available almost as soon as procurable for 

 an early and profitable return. 



This shows that even in the collection of manures in a 

 farm-yard, discretion is necessary. Stable dung, dung from 

 piggeries, &c., must necessarily be mixed up with straw and 

 litter. They ought therefore to be kept separate, and 

 separately applied upon the farm, according to their most 

 suitable services. They should invariably be used on 

 ploughed grounds and for grain crops, for which they are 



