On Liquid Manure. 521 



ordinary methods of applying manure to the land. The solution 

 of this important question is difficult, since it is complicated by 

 considerations of a purely practical kind. Means of procuring the 

 necessary amount of water for the proper dilution of liquid manure 

 do not exist everywhere, or can only be devised at a ruinous ex- 

 pense ; it is, moreover, still a question with our best agricul- 

 turists whether the expenses which have to be incuJTed for 

 erecting steam-engines, constructing liquid-manure lanks, and 

 laying down a network of distributing pipes, are commensurate 

 with the result. It is not my province to touch the question in this 

 aspect ; practical considerations of this kind are much better left 

 in the hands of those who have a more immediate interest in 

 the cultivation of the soil, and who are in a much better position 

 than myself to form a reliable opinion on questions that involve 

 considerations of pounds, shillings, and pence. 



But apart from the purely practical difficulties that stand in 

 the way of properly estimating the merits of liquid manuring, 

 there are several points which justly belong to the province of the 

 agricultural chemist. It devolves upon him to ascertain on what 

 principle or principles are based the astonishing effects which 

 liquid manure produces in some instances, and to endeavour to 

 explain the reasons why in others it does no good, or is attended 

 with but partial success. Tlie question of profitable return for 

 the expense of proper arrangements for the distribution of liquid 

 manure is one for after consideration ; it may overrule or not the 

 theory which informs us that in the liquid form manuring con- 

 stituents are most conducive to the rapid development of certain 

 kinds of agricultural produce. But in the first place we have to 

 examine carefully whether this doctrine can be accepted uncon- 

 ditionally, or whether this very generally received opinion has 

 not to be modified in a considerable degree. A principle like tliat 

 which informs us that fertilising matters produce their maximum 

 effect in a liquid form may be true in the abstract, or with reference 

 to particular kinds of plants, or in certain climates, or with 

 reference to soils of a particular character ; but in other climates 

 or otlier soils there may be operating causes which render it by 

 no means advisable to administer manuring matters in a state of 

 solution. 



Having given of late much attention to this subject, it is my 

 purpose to give in the following pages my views on the utility 

 of introoucing the system of liquid manuring into ordinary farm- 

 practice. I would premise, however, that I wish the present 

 article to be considered in the light of an attempt to explain the 

 somewhat conflicting experience with respect to the application 

 of liquid manure. 



VOL. XIX. 2 M 



