224 On xvell-rotted Dting^ Stercoraries^ ^c. 



— beyond all comparison with that having previously 

 undergone a proper degree of fermentation and de- 

 composition. And it is indubitably true, that the du- 

 ration of dung operating violently, is shorter ; and 

 leaves the ground in worse condition ; than that duly 

 and moderately rotted. 



I know, that some men of intelligence, differ with 

 me on this subject. But I must, with all due deference, 

 be permitted to form conclusions (for myself) from 

 facts with which I have been long acquainted. Truth 

 is the result of facts generally occurring; although 

 there may be some exceptions, and contrary evidence. 



I have taken it for granted, that most of the advo- 

 cates for the use of fresh muck, plough it in. But I 

 have heard of those who practice hauling it from their 

 stalls, or stables, without fermentation ; and thus 

 spread the litter, on grain, or grass !* As a cover, to 



* See Vol. II. '' On Plaster of Paris." Note, page 78. Well 

 rotted dung, or compost, as a top dressing, is there approved. But 

 this kind of raw cover is of a very different nature. All top dress- 

 ings are better for grass, than grain.— -In addition to many prece- 

 dent experiments, I allotted two contiguous stripes, of about forty 

 feet wide each, in my wheat field, sown last autumn, for the pur- 

 pose of comparison. On one, I ploughed in a liberal allowance of 

 excellent dung. The other, I top-dressed, plenteously, with the 

 best selected dung. On the strip ploughed in, the wheat was strik- 

 ingly superior. But the grass, (orchard and some clover,) from 

 seed sown on the wheat, was, incomparably the best on the strip 

 top-dressed. The results of many similar experiments, have been 

 uniformly so with me. Tenants, careless about permanent improve- 

 ment, spread, superficially and thinly, their manure for a present 

 purpose. But those who wish to prolong its efficacy, should, in 

 ciuanlity sufficient, plough it in. R. P. 



