SOILING, Oft HOUSE FEEDING. 197 



upon this system. It is confidently stated that, where every 

 thing is well managed and saved, a single cow will furnish ample 

 manure, in the coarse of the year, to be applied to an acre of 

 ground. I do not recollect that, in any of the cases which I 

 visited, any provision was made for saving the liquid manure in 

 a tank, so as to be applied by sprinkling to the land. This, if 

 properly done, as may be seen from Mr. Dickenson s example, 

 would have greatly increased the resources of these small 

 farmers. 



How far the system is applicable in other cases, every fanner 

 must determine from the circumstances in which he is placed. 

 I have no hesitation in saying that there is no farmer, who keeps 

 live stock, to whom the subject is not worthy of attention. Per 

 haps there is no farmer with whom it may not very advan 

 tageously be to a degree applicable. The moving spring of 

 every farmer s success is his manure heap ; and how the manure 

 heap is to be created and enlarged every one knows. 



The great matter to be considered is, how to obtain a supply 

 of succulent food throughout the whole year. With us in the 

 United States, the plant of Indian corn, for a part of the season, 

 cut green, and as early as it will bear cutting, furnishes the 

 richest and most abundant of all provision. It may be sown 

 broadcast or in drills, and so as to furnish a succession of feed 

 until the frost comes. This advantage cannot be had here. 



The Italian rye grass, which I have already so fully described 

 in speaking of Mr. Dickenson s management, is an admirable 

 plant for this purpose. In addition to this, there is a species of 

 rye, called St. John^s day rye, lately introduced here, which 

 grows luxuriantly, and comes into a state fit to be repeatedly cut 

 very early. I saw this plant cultivated on Mr. Pusey s estate, 

 and there brought into most advantageous contrast with the 

 common rye, which was sown in the same field. I shall give 

 Mr. Pusey s account of it. 



&quot; Some farmers do not approve of rye, for while young it 

 gives but little food, and shoots up rapidly to a harsh stalk, which 

 stock do not relish. This does not apply to the St. John s day 

 rye. This plant, if sown in proper time, and on a suitable soil, 

 presents itself to the scythe in a state palatable to horses for full 

 three weeks or more. It will grow from six to seven feet high. 

 17* 



