BAR 



BAR 



grratly improve the remainder. Lime, 

 marl, and slicUs are the specific cor- 

 rectors of the quality and texture. By 

 the help of these, the soft mass is 

 gradually condensed, and a more com- 

 pact soil formed. The great object 

 is to prevent the absorption of too 

 much moisture by the still unconsol- 

 idated mass, which is effected by cut- 

 tinsj numerous and deep ditches in 

 every direction, with proper outlets 

 kept carefully open, at the same time 

 guarding against the opposite extreme 

 of drymg this spongy substance too 

 much. If it is dry at top, and moist, 

 but not boggy, a foot below the sur- 

 face, it will be in the best state to im- 

 prove and consolidate. It is surpri- 

 sing how soon a peat moss, of little 

 more solidity than a bog. can be ren- 

 dered perfectly firm, and bear even 

 loaded wagons on its surface. It 

 often happens, where there is a com- 

 mand of good water which can be 

 brought above the level of the old peat 

 moss, that it may be converted into 

 a most productive water meadow. 

 All that is required is, that the upper 

 soil, artificially produced, be not bro- 

 Ken through, and that the bottom be 

 well drained. The great value of the 

 peat and muck as a manure is a stim- 

 ulus to the ditching. 



We have only given brief hints and 

 outlines to those who may be inclin- 

 ed to render lands productive which 

 have hitherto been barren. The cer- 

 tain cost and probable improvement 

 must be well calculated and compa- 

 red to avoid disappointment and loss. 

 As these depend on the peculiar cir- 

 cumstances of each case, it is impos- 

 sible to give any general idea of them ; 

 but, by beginning on a small and ex- 

 perimental scale at first, and proceed- 

 ing cautiously, new modes of lessen- 

 ing the expense of many of the oper- 

 ations will be suggested, errors will 

 be avoided, and some certain practi- 

 cal ground of calculation vvill be ob- 

 tained— (V7. L. Rham.) 



BARROW. In agriculture, a 

 mound of earth, sometimes called 

 pies, or camps, under which potatoes 

 or other roots are stored for protection 

 from frost. They are usually made 



by excavating the ground, which 

 should be high and dry. about one foot 

 and a half deep, from four to five 

 wide, and of a length proportionate 

 to the number of bushels to be stored. 

 The earth dug out is thrown evenly 

 on both sides the hole. Before sto- 

 ring, a layer of straw is put down by 

 some farmers ; but this is unnecessa- 

 ry : the potatoes, &c., are next piled 

 up in a rounded form, with the great- 

 est height, of three or four feet, in the 

 middle of the mound ; straw is laid 

 over them, and the dry earth of the 

 excavation piled on from two to two 

 and a half feet, and flattened with the 

 spade. Round the barrow a ditch is 

 dug, deeper than the floor within, to 

 drain off water. Whatever is stored 

 should be sound, and previously well 

 aired. Where the crop is large a 

 number of barrows are made. They 

 should be placed in a northeastern 

 exposure, for it is not frost that is 

 injurious to vegetables so much as 

 sudden thaws, produced by the direct 

 rays of the sun. In taking out pota- 

 toes, &c., for the market or use, if 

 they be found frozen, thaw in spring 

 water before selling. 



{In machines.) Barrows are light 

 carriages to be moved by the hand. 

 \Mien furnished with a wheel they 

 are termed wheelbarrows, and are of 

 many forms. 



BARS. In farriery, those portions 

 of the crust or hoof of horses that 

 are reflected inward, and form the 

 arches situated between the heels 

 and the frog. 



Bars of a Horse's Mouth. — The 

 fleshy rows that run across the upper 

 part of the mouth, and reach almost 

 to the palate. They form that part 

 of the mouth on which the bit should 

 rest, and have its effect. 



BAR-SHOE. A particular kind of 

 shoe, which is sometimes of necessi- 

 ty used to" protect a tender frog from 

 injury, the hinder part of the shoe be- 

 ing thickened and hollowed over the 

 frog ; but unless it is made exceed- 

 ingly heavy it will soon be flattened 

 down, and in the mean time it will 

 most injuriously press upon the heels. 



BARYTA. The oxide of barium, 



75 



