MAY. 255 



Tier they proceed with the dung, to the breadth of 

 about 18 inches, or two feet, till they come to the 

 stuff under it ; all which they pull down with pick- 

 axes or mattocks, and, when it is in the trench, 

 break it further to pieces, so as to have it fine ; that 

 is, no pieces larger than a man's wrist. If water 

 hang in any places in their trench, they should have 

 a water-bowl ready to throw it on the part they 

 have mixed. If this work is well executed, he will 

 have a large hill of excellent manure, ready to lay 

 on to the cabbage or turnip land, to be turned in 

 by the last earth. 



Respecting the quantity therein lies the proof 

 of his being a good farmer ; perhaps the most im- 

 portant, convincing proof, that a farm can offer. 

 If he has managed well, he will have from 15 to 

 20 loads for every head of great cattle, and about 

 1O loads for every hog, not reckoning pigs ; not 

 above a third of the whole marl or earth. Every 

 load of straw, trampled into dung, will make five 

 or six cart ones of dung. 



The earth which has lain under the dung all 

 winter, and received the urine of the cattle, must 

 by no means be reckoned as inferior to the dung 

 itself. It is become a rich manure without mixing 

 with dung* richer than the best of marls : and I am 

 well persuaded, that this retention of the urine in 

 it is of such consequence, that the whole compost, 

 when well mixed together, will be better than if 

 chalk or earth had not been brought into the yard, 

 at least for most soils ; but that the favourable cir- 

 cumstances 



