MANURES. 33 



to make its escape by flowing out of the yards or being imper- 

 fectly mingled with the litter. 



It becomes, therefore, a part of the management of the farm- 

 yard, to provide against either of these contingencies. The 

 farm-yard should be level at bottom, and even paved, if the 

 sub-soil be very loose and sandy. Some persons, after remov- 

 ing the surface to a suitable depth, cover the whole with a 

 thick layer of tenacious clay. The bottom should be sunk 

 somewhat below the surface of the ground, deepening gradually 

 to the centre. A great diversity of opinion as to their proper 

 structure prevails. A very intelligent writer in the Farmers' 

 Cabinet, I. O**D, Esq., of Delaware county, says: 



There is no branch of agriculture so much entitled to the consideration of 

 the farmer as that of the accumulation and preparation of the food of vege- 

 tables. All are aware that the principal source of vegetation is that of putres- 

 cent matter; consequently, their attention is naturally directed to the collection 

 of as much vegetable and animal substances as possible. Barn-yards are 

 appropriate recipients for such accumulation. South exposures are the most 

 desirable locations. The direct influence of the sun greatly promotes decom- 

 position. The bottoms of barn-yards should be level, and so enclosed that 

 the extracts from the manure produced by rains, should be retained as much 

 as possible. The bottom of the yard should have a covering of loose earth, 

 of some inches, which is designed as an absorbent to retain the extractive 

 matter, and to be removed in common with the other manures when employed 

 for agricultural purposes. The covering of earth should always be renewed 

 previous to the commencement of the re-accumulation of putresVent matter. 



When the stock of cattle and horses are to be tinally removed'from the barn- 

 yard for the summer, the surface of the putrescent manure should be covered 

 with a mixture of earth and hydrate of calcium. The effect of this covering 

 is of much importance, as it serves to retain moisture, and to promote decom- 

 position. The hydrate of calcium being soluble, a portion may be dissolved, 

 and descend Ato the putrescent matter; there, meeting with carbonic acid, it 

 becomes a carbonate, and consequently insoluble. The hydrate of calcium 

 remaining on the surface, will absorb the carbonic acid formed by the putre- 

 faction of the matter underneath. It will also obtain a considerable quantity 

 from the atmosphere, thereby treasuring up a large amount of the food of 

 vegetables, to be used at the discretion of the farmer, that would otherwise 

 have been lost. Previous to removing the manure from the barn-yard, it 

 should be well mixed, forming an excellent compost for any purpose that may 

 be desired. 



As a portion of the liquid will flow from the stables and 

 feeding-houses, gutters of stone should be made to conduct it 

 into reservoirs in or adjacent to the yard: and similar means 

 should be adopted for conveying from the yard any excess of 

 liquid; not for the purpose of draining the yard of moisture, 

 which would be exceedingly wrong, but with a view of pre- 

 venting an excess of liquid from being lost; as the principal 

 cause which produces a great flow of liquid from the yard, is 

 an excess of rain, which falling upon the heap faster than it 

 can be absorbed, washes away the urine. 



The substances thus collected and partially fermented, is to 

 be applied to the ground during the months of spring, summer, 



