176 Muck and Fresh Stable Manure. 



operation is produced by that part of the manure that is 

 dissipated in the atmosphere. When the fermentation is 

 effected in a mass, it is capable of producing the same 

 effect after, that the other can. It can do no more ; for 

 the strength of grass roots, which it promotes, acts upon 

 the principles of compound interest. I have seen the su- 

 periority strikingly evident in the second course of grass, 

 when no manure was applied to the intervening grain 

 crop. 



I believe, with R. P. that exposing the raw material 

 upon the top of the ground is without reasonable excuse ; 

 because it is exposing it to the influence of casualties and 

 the loss of a protracted return. But I believe it very 

 possible for all the advantage to be derived from manure 

 or muck - spread in this way, that can from any other 

 mode of application ; but it is better applied to grass than 

 grain ; because it will form a thicker covering, to prevent 

 the sun exhaling, not its virtues, but moisture, one of the 

 essentials of fermentation, which, being slow, does not 

 produce heat sufficient to raise the carbonic acid from the 

 ground. If rains, occurring during this process, should 

 be gentle, both that and the soluble carbon will be soak- 

 ed into the earth : but should they be heavy, a large por- 

 tion of both must inevitably be washed away.* But, as 



* Any quantity of manure, applied in the rotation of crops to 

 the artificial grasses, at the time the seed is sown, will do more 

 for that course of grass than twice the quantity applied next year, 

 such is the advantage of a healthy, vigorous seedling plant. Were 

 I to lay down a piece of ground for the natural grasses, to obtain 

 the best of which, green grass, a rich soil or top dressing is ne- 

 cessary, if the earth, which I yearly lay over the fold-yard, was 

 not sufficient, I would rather spread the " raw material," subject* 



