182 , OP MANURE. 



be procured, the arable land in this island, might be made 

 to produce triple the quantity it now does. How loudly 

 does not this call for attention, not only to promote its in- 

 crease, but to prevent its abuse, (both of which, in too 

 many instances, are greatly overlooked), and to improve 

 its quality. In some cases too much is applied, to the de- 

 triment of the crop, for luxuriance does not always insure 

 a plentiful increase of grain, and much gain is seldom 

 ultimately obtained by forcing crops.* The loss generally 

 sustained, however, is not from the application of too much, 

 but of too little manure, as farmers are too apt to fritter 

 away a quantity of dung over fourscore acres, without pro- 

 ducing any sensible effect, which would have produced a 

 valuable crop if confined to forty. Improving the quality of 

 manure, is another most material object to be attended to. 

 It is well known, that when cattle are fed and kept in a 

 house, when they receive the same food in quantity and 

 quality, that their dung becomes a more valuable manure, 

 than what is made from cattle kept in a large open court. 

 This arises, no doubt, from the cattle treading so constant- 

 ly upon the dunghill, which consolidates it to such a degree, 

 as to prevent the proper effects of fermentation. The latter 

 mode, however, from requiring fewer houses, and giving 

 less trouble, is very generally practised, though the dung is 

 inferior in quality. 



. Urine. This important article to the farmer, has only 



* Baron Hepburn dungs lightly, and repeats it frequently. Virgil said 

 long ago, that a large aJlowance of dung forced a great growth of straw ; 

 but he adds " Vanis illusit avistis Siliquis fallucibus" In regard to 

 the different sorts of dung, that from the hog is the strongest and richest* 

 owing to the greater fatness of the animal. The dung of cattle is less 

 transitory, and more lasting, than that of sheep. Horse dung is the most 

 heating. 6 



