17(3 OF MANURE. 



crop, especially if the grounds have been previously limed, 

 and are otherwise in a good state of preparation. 



Mr John Shirreff observes, that stable-yard dung can 

 be most advantageously applied, when it is in a sapo- 

 naceous state, heavy, moist, and compact, when it can be 

 cut with a spade, and when it emits a strong steam, and 

 pungent odour. This state is very different from that to 

 which dung is reduced by repeated turnings, which inva- 

 riably leaves it open, light, and spongy, (much resembling 

 muirish earth, or peaty soil), when its value must be consi- 

 derably diminished. 



The fact seems to be, that rotten dung is preferable, 

 where drilling turnips is practised, and where a small 

 quantity of manure is inserted in the heart of the drill.* 

 In regard to broad-cast crops of grain or turnips, however, 

 fresh dung, (or the dung of stables, &c. applied as soon as 

 made), will go, it is contended, over a greater quantity of 

 ground ; nothing is lost in the preparation, and it may be 

 sooner made use of. 



4<. In Scotland, dung is principally applied, 1. To green 

 crops, as turnips, potatoes, and beans; and, 2. To fal- 

 lows. -[ 



When applied to turnips, it is put in the heart of the 

 drill, by which not one particle of it is either lost, or seen 



* This objection to long dun? 1 , it is said, may, even in this case, be ob- 

 viated, by making the hollows deeper. Long dung certainly answers 

 well with potatoes. 



f In England, top-dressings are sometimes applied to growing crops. 

 Mr Adam Murray informs me, that he has seen a mode of dressing bar- 

 ley-land, which has been attended with great success. Mr Joseph Hop- 

 kins, of Cholrey, near Reading, in Berkshire, has two pigeon-houses on 

 Ills' farm, which he regularly litters with malt dust, through the season ; 

 at the time he begins to^sow his barley, he cleans out the pigeon-houses, 

 carefully runs all the dung, when dry, through a sieve, until it is perfectly 



