On well-rotted Dw^g, Sfercorafiesy tsj^c, 233 



have higher authority. Although I have thought Mr^. 

 Young, from the most laudable motives, over zealous 

 on this and some other subjects, I entertain so exalted 

 an idea of his talents, and long, faithful, and invaluable 

 labours, in promoting the agricultural interests, not 

 only of his own, but of every country ; that it is, in no 

 small degree, painful to me, when I am compelled on 

 any occasion, to differ on a subject in which he is de» 

 cidedly an advocate for a contrary opinion. See Vol. 

 II. p. 172. 204. 



It may be said, that my ideas of the noxious quali- 

 ties of fermeimng muck, can only apply to summer 

 crops ; as the fermentation and heat are spent, before 

 they can affect the straw, or seed, of winter-gram. But 

 this is fully answered by the case hereafter mentioned ; 

 and, to mt/ additional satisfaction, by my own experi- 

 ence. It appears, that it infects the ground with du- 

 rably deleterious taint ; instead of fertilizing it with 

 wholesome capacities. 



When I speak of stercoraries, I mean covered repo- 

 sitories. Better with roofs ; but well enough with a 

 proper thickness of earth. I am as inimical to exposed 

 ipuck, as any of the muck -farmers can be. Perhaps 

 stercoraries thus constructed would be baubles, in the 

 estimation of Virginia farmers, on their large scale. 

 Our farmers frequently plough up (deeply) the head 

 lands of the field intended for wheat, (never sown 

 among corn, by prudent husbandmen) and hale out 

 their muck early, on the head-lands ; which afford 

 loose earth, to mix with, and completely cover, and 

 rot down sufficiently, the manure for their crop. This 

 is found highly beneficial. 



TOL, III. G g 



