.[ 221 ] 



On well-rotted Dtmg. Fresh and hot Muck. Stercora- 

 Ties ; and their Usesy by Richard Peters^ Esquire. 



Read September 14, 1813. 

 Belmont, August 22, 1813. 



Sir, 



Having frequently had occasion to mention my opi- 

 nion respecting the state in which dung is most pro- 

 per for use ; I take the liberty of explaining my mean- 

 ing on that subject. If my theory be even unsound and 

 dissatisfactory, it may at least lead farmers to thirik on 

 atopic, on which their interests materially depend. 

 My experience warrants the statement I have given. 

 If the experience of others be different, they will, no 

 doubt, be governed by their own knowledge of facts ; 

 which, in such cases, are the safest and most certain 

 guides. 



The dung should be applied when it is well-rotted ; 

 — that is, before the fermentation has ceased, — yet 

 when it is so far advanced, that the texture of the parts 

 is destroyed ; and all seeds contained in it are com- 

 pletely putrescent, and incapable of germination. I am 

 convinced, by long experience, that muck, or dung, 

 in the latter stages of putrescence, is in the best state 

 of salutary efficiency ; and most proper, on every ac- 

 count, for application. Carbonaceous, over- rotted dung 

 is of little service. What in grammar, would be called 

 the penultima, or antepeiiultima, is the most preferable 

 stage of its progress to putridity. There is an impor- 

 tant dii^XmcXiovLhtiw^^n putrescence ^ndjjutriditi/. The 



