FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 223 



and subsequent ploughings, Or if any part of the dung be 

 retained in the barn-yard, for making composts, it should 

 be that which is under cover; and if this be the Horse- 

 dung, let it be immediately mixed with some cooling earths 

 which are fit ingredients for composts. 



These may be made of every ingredient that can be 

 gathered together, that is calculated to manure the soil for 

 which it is intended. Clay, sand, mud, lime, peat, 8cc. may 

 therefore be parts To these may be added the scrapings 

 of the back-yard, turfs on which cattle have long dungedj 

 old rubbish of buildings, earth that has been long covered, 

 banks of rich earth that have been thrown up by the plough 

 against fences, and generally all rich earths which can be 

 spared. On the heaps of composts should be thrown all 

 the soapsuds, dishwater, meatbrine, urine, water that has 

 run from dung, and generally ail the filth that is collected 

 in and about the house and barn. 



Composts should be frequently stired up from the bot- 

 tom, in order that a due degree of fermentation may event- 

 ually pervade the whole mass ; and when in this state o 

 fermentation they should be carted out, spread evenly on 

 ground well prepared, ploughed in lightly, and well mixed 

 by the harrowings which cover the seed that is at the same 

 time to be sown. 



A heap of compost of this kind may be made to advan- 

 tage near the dwcllinghouse, for the purpose of receiving 

 from it the additions that may be afforded there. Or it may- 

 be made adjoining the Hogpen, to receive all its contents 5 

 for Hog-dung is an excelent manure for all dry soils. Such 

 a stock would be found of signal use, as a manure for the 

 lurnip-crop. 



See TURNIPS. 



These heaps of compost will be the better to be slightly 

 covered, so as to admit no more rains than will serve to 

 keep them in a proper degree of moisture. If properly 

 prepared, they will be found much superior to equal quan- 

 tities of raw barn-dung; and, if proper pains be taken, very 

 considerable quantities of them may be made every year. 



An excelent method of making a large quantity of ma- 

 nure^with little trouble, is as follows : In the Spring, en- 

 close a piece of ground, say, ten rods, long and two wide 5 

 have the two end fences so that they can be speedily remov- 

 ed at pleasure to plough the ground more easily. After 

 ploughing it with a cleft furrow, turn the Milch-cows and 

 young cattle upon it every night. After they have saturated 

 the surface, plough it with a gathering furrow ; and so on 

 alternately, at intervals, until the ground is completely sa- 

 turated with their stale and dung. Then cart it off, and 

 apply it as before directed for composts. 



