On Manures. 207 



only be spread upon the surface, and all the advantage 

 which in that case can be derived from it is, the fertilizing 

 matter washed down by the rains. When applied to arable 

 land, it is strongly recommended to cover the dung well. 

 But here, as in every thing else, extremes ought to be avoid- 

 ed. Dung is of use to plants, either from the gases which it 

 emits, or by the nourishment which it furnishes to them, 

 when in solution with water. The gases will rise, and it 

 is of less consequence, in that respect, to what depth the 

 dung is put ; but a solution of dung in water will sink, and 

 ought not to be placed beyond the reach of the roots of the 

 crops for the nourishment of which it was intended. 



The superior importance of dung from the farm-yards and 

 stables, (which is justly denominated, the farmer's sheet- 

 anchor), has rendered it necessary, to dwell on that subject, 

 at greater length, than is practicable in regard to any other 

 species of manure, consistently with the intended brevity of 

 this publication. 



It now only remains, under the general head of dung 

 from quadrupeds ( l84 ), to mention that of sheep. 



Sheep Dung. This valuable article is collected in several 

 ways. In various parts of the Continent, sheep are kept in 

 houses during almost the whole year, for the sake of their 

 manure. When they are fed along the sides of roads, 

 young children are employed to collect the dung which they 

 drop. Sheep fed on upland pastures, are folded in the vale 

 on arable land ; and when crops of turnips or of rape are 

 grown, these useful animals are folded upon the crop, which 

 they consume upon the ground, and enrich the soil with 

 their dung and urine. Sheep fed on lintseed-cake, produce 

 dung of extraordinary power, by which any poor land, 

 whether it be arable or pasture, may be speedily enriched. 

 A most useful plan has recently been adopted, that of fold- 

 ing sheep upon straw in the corner of the turnip field, and 

 carrying the turnips to them ( l85 ). This is particularly 

 suitable for such soils as are too wet or tenacious to have 

 turnips fed upon them ; or on sloping grounds, where the 

 manure might be washed down. 



This plan ought always to be adopted with the flock at 

 lambing time, not only on account of the manure produced, 

 but for the safety of the lambs, many of which, when dropped 

 on the cold ground, in wet weather, even in sheltered situa- 

 tions, die, or become crippled in their joints, whereas a 



