222 Oil tvell-rotted Dung, Stercoraries, ^c. 



violent and outrageous operations of fresh and hot 

 muck, (acting as well on the pests it brings along with 

 it, as on the crop it is intended to stimulate and nou- 

 rish,) are as ungovernable, and often as morbid, ex- 

 hausting, and mischievous, as are the unrestrained, 

 though temporarily potent, exertions of one making 

 enfuriated and desultory efforts, under the paroxysms 

 of a fever. Sometimes its fury is spent on itself. What- 

 ever may be its success in Europe, (where opinions are 

 divided, but the majority against it,) our ardent heats 

 assist in its consumption. I have ploughed it in very 

 deep ; and, after a long drought, turned it up entirely 

 dry rotten. This may be often observed in the litter, 

 or strawy muck, frequently applied for potatoe crops, 

 and the myriads of mice and moles infesting them, are 

 fatally known. 



I am not convinced by the argument I have often 

 heard ; — that the strength of the " dung had better be 

 applied in throwing up a crop, than wasted in the muck 

 heap.'* 



Whatever be the food of plants, there is an evident 

 analogy between the structure of their parts, and that 

 of animals. The food for both must be in due prepa- 

 ration to enter the vessels, before it can have a salu- 

 brious effect. The violent fermentation necessary and 

 preparatory to making bread, is most suitable for the 

 dough-trough. None would venture to recommend this 

 preparatory operation to be carried on in the stomach ; * 



* See Vol. I. pages, 235, 236. Where instances are mentioned 

 of previously fermented and baked provender, being given as food 

 for horses ; alleged to be more nutritious and economical, than 



