¢ 
> 
78 On Plaister of 
and it has done well. Some do not sow it till the vege- 
tation begins. It seems to me, that ‘if strewed at any 
season, it will have an effect; though, perhaps in a 
greater or less degree, according to the state of the 
weather, or other accidental causes. /(e) 
(e) I believe that all manures put on as top dressings, are 
most beneficial in the spring ; when the plant is active, and 
draws in the food they supply. Dung, or other manure, laid 
on superficially in the autumn or winter,loses much by the 
washings of the winter rains, &c. It can do little service 
while the plant is torpid, except as a cover from frost, and by 
depositing what is left of its salts and juices, ready to act 
on the plant when vegetation begins. 
I am inclined to believe, from more attentive experience 
since, that my opinion, stated in the foregoing note, is not 
generally founded in fact ; though the theory appeared to me 
plausible. I have been highly benefited by both compost and 
dung, as top dressings, in the autumn. On one field, I left a 
part to be covered in the spring; after most of the ground 
had been dunged in the fall. The effect was greatly in favour 
of that dunged in the autumn. Ploughing in manure, will ef-, 
fectually prevent its washing away by winter rains. But I 
think the shelter given by dung or compost to the grass, 
or grain, as a top dressing, and the mixing of the salts or 
component parts of the dung, or compost, by means of frosts 
and thaws in winter, with the earth, far overbalance any 
loss by the washings of winter rains. The evaporation which 
carries off the volatile parts of the manure, is certainly less 
in winter, than in spring, or summer. With plaister strewed 
in winter, I have succeeded as well as in any other season of. 
strewing. hk. Ps 
September, 1810. 
