On Manures. 199 



success ; and to it, the farmers of that country are indebted, 

 for their large and almost never-failing crops ( I<53 ). As a 

 top-dressing for a crop of wheat likely to fail in spring, it 

 is strongly recommended, to apply two Ibs. of common nitre, 

 mixed with three bushels of earth, per statute acre. 



4. Liquid Manures. In Switzerland, they are impressed 

 with a high idea of the advantage to be derived from a liquid 

 manure to which they give the name of liziers, or lizee. For 

 the preparation of that article, reservoirs are erected in the 

 neighbourhood of the cow-houses, the dung of cattle being 

 peculiarly fitted for the purpose. As soon as their excre- 

 ments are dropped, they are carefully conveyed to the reser- 

 voir, and thrice the bulk of water thrown into it at the same 

 time. A fermentation soon takes place in hot weather, and in 

 about four or five weeks, even in cold weather, the process 

 is completed. The manure remains for some time, in a state 

 fit to be used. If kept, however, beyond nine or ten months, 

 its useful qualities are destroyed by another fermentation. 

 .When fully matured, it is carried to the field, and scattered 

 over it. The earth immediately imbibes the liquid, which 

 soon reaches the roots of the plants, and causes a rapid ve- 

 getation; whereas it is a long time, before dung in a solid 

 state, fertilizes the soil. This manure is particularly calcula- 

 ted for lucerne and clover ; and it is so generally employed in 

 Switzerland, that many districts of that country are said to 

 owe their fertility principally to its use. From the labour, 

 however, attending the plan, it does not seem calculated for 

 large farms, or general adoption ( I<54 ). In Flanders also, 

 urine, in which rape cake has been dissolved, after being fer- 

 mented in large cisterns made with brick, is conveyed to the 

 fields, where it is spread by means of scoops, and found 

 highly beneficial. 



It is well known, that the grass land on which flax or 

 hemp is put to be dried, after they have undergone the pro- 

 cess of watering, is greatly improved, from the putrid ferti- 

 lizing substances which they yield. This furnished a hint 

 to an intelligent agriculturist, (John Billingsley, Esq.) to try 

 the effects of flax water, which he applied to pasture lands, 

 by means of carts, similar to those used near London in 

 watering the roads. The effect was astonishing, and ad- 

 vanced the land in value ten shillings per acre. The haulm 

 of potatoes might be inserted in ponds, with similar effect. 

 Mr Billingsley considered this liquid to be much superior to 

 animal urine. 



In Devonshire, ponds are enriched by the drain of an ad- 



OF TH 



UNP 



