412 Of STEAW, ITS VALUE, AND USES. 



ing cattle, as such an inclosure is subject to whirling winds, 

 which pinch them, even in fresh weather, and never will 

 preserve them, in a kindly heat, in frosty or unfavourable 

 seasons. But the principal objection he makes to the fold- 

 yard system is, that half-rotten dung, trodden under foot, 

 and kneaded together by the cattle, excludes the air to- 

 tally from the inner parts of the heap ; and it is a truth 

 which, he contends, is indisputable, that putrefaction does 

 not go on without air, as well as without moisture.* This 

 evil might certainly be easily remedied, by frequently re- 

 moving the dung. Mr Young, however, contends suc- 

 cessfully, that preventing fermentation, with dung raised 

 during the months of December, January, and February, 

 (a period during which it cannot with propriety be used), 

 is no objection to the practice, in so far as regards the 

 dung ; and it is well known, that the dung may be taken 

 out from the fold-yard, and put into dung heaps, where 

 it is fermented in proper time, to be made use of. Straw- 

 yards ought to have a southern exposure, and be placed 

 in a sheltered situation, with a constant supply of water 

 where possible. Cattle wintered in the straw-yard, are 

 much preferred to those wintered in the house, either for 

 driving or grazing at home. 



4. In regard to open folds, where sheep are kept littered 

 with straw, thrown in from time to time, (a description of 

 which will be found in Appendix, No. XII.), the straw is 

 not only mixed with the dung of the sheep, but absorbs all 

 their urine, and by that means, one acre of straw alone, 

 will produce six large cart-loads of dung, of a very supe- 

 rior quality. 



* Mr John Shirreff is of opinion, that it is an advantage to prevent 

 too rapid fermentation, and still more so, putrefaction ; and the custom 

 of taking out dung from the yard to the field, to heat and evaporate, he 

 considers to be a destructive system. 



