manure. 161 



On the principles adopted for determining the 

 value of manure, the salts in 100 lbs. of soot, are 

 equal to 1 ton of cow dung. Its nitrogen gives in a 

 value, compared with cow dung, as 40 to 1. 



226. Soot forms a capital liquid manure, for the 

 floriculturist. Mixed with water, in the proportion 

 of 6 quarts of soot to 1 hogshead, it has been found 

 to be a most efficacious liquid, with which to 

 water green-house plants ; and being not only a 

 come-at-able, but a comely preparation, it may re- 

 commend itself to the cultivators of flowers, by these 

 lady-like qualities. 



221. Among the mixed manures, is the salt, or 

 spent ley of the soap-boiler. It seems to offer a nat- 

 ural passage, from this class to those consisting of 

 salts only. To understand its components, the 

 chemical composition of oil and fat must be briefly 

 studied. No products of life are now better under- 

 stood, than the fatty bodies. They are all acids, 

 combined with a peculiar organic base, which acts 

 the part of an oxide. This is never obtained except 

 in combination with oxygen and water. In this state 

 it has long been known under the name of glycerine. 

 The acids combined with it, are stearic, margaric, 

 and oleic. By the union of these acids with glyce- 

 rine, stearine and margarine, or fats, and oleine or 

 14* 



