206 On Manures. 



pecialiy, when the manure is placed in the centre of the drill, 

 to crops of turnips or potatoes ( I8 ). In Flanders, they have 

 a practice which is attended with nearly similar effects. Af- 

 ter the dung is spread on the surface of a field to be plough- 

 ed, and a furrow has been made, a person with a fork or a 

 rake, goes before the plough, and throws from the surface, 

 into the furrow, as much manure as has been placed upon 

 the soil that the plough will turn over the next bout. The 

 dung is thus put at a proper depth, and is not liable to eva- 

 poration. 



3. Farm-yard dung is likewise applied to clover stubbles 

 upon which wheat is to be sown ; that crop requiring the 

 land to be in a very fertile state. In some districts, the 

 clover stubble is likewise manured for oats. 



The quantity of dung to be applied is an important ques- 

 tion. Formerly too much was given, and the crops were 

 surfeited with a profusion of nourishment. According to 

 modern practice, only as much is furnished at one time, as 

 will fertilize the ground, and render it capable of produ- 

 cing good crops, until a fresh supply can be administered ( 1 8 ' ). 

 Formerly, from twenty to thirty tons were given per acre, 

 whereas, now, one-half of that quantity is found to be suffi- 

 cient ( I8z ). It was formerly supposed, that putrescent ma- 

 nure was durable, in proportion to the quantity applied, 

 without considering that a great quantity rather accelerates 

 than retards decomposition, and that the consequence must 

 necessarily be, unprofitable fertility the first year, and dis- 

 appointment during the succeeding ones. A happy medium, 

 however, ought to be kept in view ; for manures ought not 

 to be applied too sparingly. If dung to the value of only 

 L.I or L.2 per acre is given, it may not refund the expense ; 

 whereas, by laying out at the rate of L. 3 per acre, the pro- 

 fit may be considerable. 



Whatever quantity is used, the dung should be spread 

 equally, and divided so minutely, that every part of the 

 ground may receive an equal supply ( l83 ). This cannot be 

 done so very equally, when the manure is laid in drills, for 

 crops of turnips or potatoes. But even in such cases, the rule 

 ought not to be neglected, so far as it is practicable. To 

 promote that equal division, the drills are sometimes drawn 

 across the field, and at other times diagonally ; or, by cross- 

 ploughing, after the crop is taken up, the dung in the drills 

 is mixed with the soil. 



The last point to be considered is, the depth at which the 

 dung ought to be placed. If applied to grass land, it can. 



