530 



EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE, 



and the bottom laid in cement, so as to be water-tight. It is 

 sometimes divided into two great compartments, and sometimes 

 into several, as in the subjoined diagram. 



These different compartments are designed to preserve the 

 liquid of different ages separately. Each compartment is accu 

 rately gauged, and there is a fixed scale in each compartment, or 

 in the cistern, where it is not separated, by which, from the 

 height of the liquid, the quantity is easily determined. This is 

 necessary for two purposes ; first, in case of the sale of the 

 manure, and second, in its application to the soil ; in both which 

 instances it maybe important to know the quantity. In addition 

 to the saving of the urine, the stables are frequently washed with 

 water, and this likewise runs into the common receptacle. It is 

 deemed best not to apply the urine until it has some age, and has 

 passed through a degree of fermentation. 



In order to increase their stock of manure, the farmers purchase 

 large quantities of manure, such as the emptyings of privies in the 

 cities ; and these are carried in boats prepared for the purpose, 

 on the different canals, to the farms which are accessible ; and 

 many of these farms have places of deposit, or cisterns for the 

 reception of this manure, directly upon the borders of a canal, 

 : hat there may be little trouble in discharging the load. This is 

 a double good, to the cities and the country; to the former, in 

 getting rid of their impurities, and preventing the diseases which 

 they might engender; to the latter, in enriching their lands. In 

 many cases these places are used as deposits for the use of manure 

 merchants or dealers, who collect large amounts, and dispose of 

 it in such quantities as maybe needed to the neighboring farmers, 



