34 Orange Coimty Manures. [Jan., 



decay which will materially injure the manure. A slow and even 

 process of rotting will take place, by which the whole will be 

 converted into a soft, black mass, easily broken up, and containing 

 a considerable portion of soluble matter. The water which soaks 

 it, will prevent the formation of much gas, and will absorb any 

 portions which may be generated, so that a mass of fine rich ma- 

 nure will be ready in the spring to be applied to the land. This 

 of course, supposes the yard to have been constantly supplied with 

 the dung and litter of the stables, and all the straw and waste of 

 feed, &:c. The care, then, to keep the manure in a good state, 

 when trodden down in the yard, is very little. 



The case is different, however, when it must be removed from 

 the yard before it is applied to the farm. Some care and know- 

 ledge is necessary, then, in order to preserve it without great loss, 

 for its situation will be materially different from what it was in 

 the yard. It now becomes necessary to stack it carefully. This 

 should be done on one side of the yard, where there is slope 

 enough towards the middle to save all the leachings of the piles. 

 After a pile is begun, as fast as sufficient manure accumulates, it 

 should be laid on the pile in an even layer, and well packed down. 

 It is the access of air to the interior of the heap that produces 

 fermentation and consequent loss. By packing hard this is pre- 

 vented, whilst sufficient air is admitted to ensure a gradual and 

 uniform softening and partial fermentation, by which the whole 

 mass is brought into the same state. In the mean time the heaps 

 should be often and thoroughly saturated with the liquids which 

 accumulate in the yard or in the vats. "While the heap is form- 

 ing also, it may be useful, with every layer of manure, to add a 

 thin sprinkling of plaster or a solution of sulphate of iron, (cop- 

 peras) or even powdered charcoal. These substances will arrest 

 any gases which would otherwise escape, and save them. These 

 heaps may be made of any length and breadth, but should never 

 exceed four or five feet in depth, and should" then be covered 

 throughout with a layer of earth at least two inches thick, and this 

 should be beaten down compactly over the whole. An occasional 

 layer of earth or peat will be found very useful, in the process of 



