1336.] 



FARMERS' REGISTER. 



729 



From British Husbandry . 

 ON PUTRESCENT MANURES. 



[Continued from p. 661, Vol. III.] 



Compost. 



We have already observed upon the expedien- 

 cy of mixing the bottoms and crusts of dung-pies 

 with the other materials of which they are com- 

 posed when they are turned over; but the quantity 

 may not only be grefitly augmented by a larger 

 addition of earth, but, by imbibing the juices of 

 the dung, a compost is thus formed of excellent 

 quality in its application to most crops, as well as 

 soils, and especially to grass-land. It has indeed 

 been objected to this, that the mixture of earth 

 increases the size of the dunghill without adding 

 to its virtue, while the expense of carriage is also 

 thus unnecessarily incurred, and that the more 

 manure is reduced to its essence the better. But, 

 although this may, in some instances, be true, yet 

 experience proves that a compost of this nature 

 becomes converted into a very fertile mould, and 

 in some sorts of unkindly land, small dressings are 

 of little benefit. On such soils, portions of pure 

 rotten dung get fast locked up in large clods, and 

 arc rendered useless to that crop; but the increase 

 of bulk, by the addition of earth, admits of a 

 much larger heap being applied, as well as of be- 

 ing more readily united with the ground by the 

 plough, so as to render the tiilh more manageable. 

 In many cases, the mixture lias been therelbre 

 found essentially useful; and though the charge of 

 cartage is certainly an object of moment, yet that 

 may be lessened by forming the composts upon 

 the headlands ot the fields to which they are to be 

 applied. They may also be put together at any 

 time of the year, which, especially in summer, is 

 of itself an incalculable advantage. The ground 

 should, however, in that, case, be previously sum- 

 mer-fallowed, unless it be entirely free from weeds; 

 or a small quantity of quicklime may be added to 

 them, or between the earth and another layer of 

 any other ingredient not so easily decomposed as 

 the dung. The heap then ferments, and in that 

 state it is left until it be completely cooled to the 

 centre. When the heat has entirely subsided, the 

 compost is to be then turned in such manner as 

 that not only the uppermost part shall be under- 

 neath, but also that the outward portion be put in 

 the middle, and that the whole be intimately mix- 

 ed. If any part of the dung be dry, it should be 

 well and equally wetted — if posssible with urine, 

 or with the drainings of the farm-yard — as each 

 layer is removed, and previous to their mixture. 

 The number of turnings must depend upon the 

 state of putrefaction of the dung, as well as that 

 of the turf, if sods or other materials have been 

 added. The proportion of dung, or other putres- 

 cible substance, to earth, must be governed by the 

 qualities of both, and by the judgement of the 

 farmer in their selection and use. The following 

 — which has been adopted in Norfolk — will afford 

 a general idea of the mixture of such a compost, 

 when confined to mould and farm-yard dung: — 



Mould for the bottom 160 loads. 



Dung from the bullock- 

 yard and stables, a 

 load of each alternate- 

 ly 112 loads. 



Vol III.— 92 



Mould for the next lay- 

 er 42 



Dung for ditto 



Mould for the top and 

 sides 42 



Total 



48 



of 18 bushels each, of \ 



244 by 160=404 Ids. 



which, after being turned twice over, produced 

 300 loads of manure, and was intended lor 20 

 acres.* 



Another practice prevails among many farmers, 

 which, so far as the production of manure is con- 

 cerned, has the advantage of allowing the com- 

 post to imbibe the whole of the urine in the yard, 

 but. which is also attended with the inconvenience 

 of bedding the cattle in a manner which, without 

 great care in its frequent removal, must expose 

 them to much want of comfort. It is as fol- 

 lows: — 



Turf or any other species of earth, is spread 

 over the yard to the depth of upwards of 2 feet, 

 except around the buildings, to the extent of per- 

 haps 6 or 7 feet, which is left as a path. It is then 

 covered with furze, f or fern, if to be had, and laid 

 over with straw, to which the littter from the sta- 

 bles is also added, and upon this bed the feeding- 

 cribs of the store cattle are placed. In this man- 

 ner the dung is often allowed to accumulate during 

 the entire winter, or until it rises to such an incon- 

 venient height, as to compel its removal; it is then 

 either piled in the yard, after being mixed and co- 

 vered over with earth, and left there until it may 

 be wanted in the autumn, or else carted out to the 

 mixen, and there treated as already stated. 



The materials, and the stock thus employed, 

 were in one instance — 



591 loads 

 eart h 



10 wagon-loads of subble 



11 do. of fern " 

 46 loads, of 36 trusses each, of; 



straw ) besides hogs. 



The horses were fed as usual, and the other stock 

 had cabbages in the yard. The quantity of ma- 

 nure which they produced, after it had been turn- 

 ed over in i he latter end of M ay, amounted to rather 

 more than 1000 loads of 18 bushels; and the whole 

 expense of cartage in and out, and the labor of 

 turning and spreading, with the cost of the fern 

 and straw, amounted to £45 lis. 10d., which 

 would probably be increased by present prices to 

 about £60. 



In another, 136 loads of earth were laid in the 

 yard, at nearly equidistant periods, from Novem- 

 ber to the end of March, to which were added the 

 following materials, a large portion of which was 

 consumed by the stock: — 



* Rigby's Framing-ham, p. 97. 



f The bottoming- of yards with furze has been ob- 

 jected to, because, if cut at an advanced period of its 

 growth, it is extremely difficult to decompose. Where 

 naulm and straw are scarce, it is, however, of great 

 use in forming a dry bed for cattle; and when the dun«- 

 is carried from the yard, the furze may be very easily 

 separated, and placed in another compost with similar 

 matters, or mixed with a small quantity of quicklime, 

 which will soon prepare it foi use. 



7 horses. 



7 cows. 

 3 calves, 



