40 APPLICATION TO THE FIELD. 



field is a question which belongs more to the practical 

 farmer than to the scientist, and must be largely de- 

 cided by economic considerations. There is an aspect, 

 however, of the question which may well be treated here. 

 The first point in the production of good manure is in 

 connection with its even distribution. It is of great 

 importance that the excrements of the different farm 

 animals be thoroughly mixed together. By the intimate 

 incorporation of the " hot " horse-dung with the " cold " 

 cow and pig dung, uniform fermentation is secured. 

 Fire-fang or too rapid fermentation may occur from 

 this not being properly done, and from the manure 

 becoming too dry. It is important, also, as we shall 

 see immediately, to have the manure uniform in 

 quality when applied to the field. The manure ought 

 to be firmly trodden down to moderate the rate of 

 fermentation. Where the manure -heap is exposed 

 to rain, the quantity of water it will naturally receive 

 will probably be quite sufficient, if indeed not too much, 

 to ensure a proper rate of fermentation except, per- 

 haps, in very warm weather. The great point to be 

 aimed at is to ensure regular fermentation. What 

 has to be especially avoided is any sudden exposure 

 of the manure to large quantities of water. The 

 result of such a washing out of the soluble nitrogen 

 is to retard fermentation, besides incurring the risk of 

 great actual loss by drainage. 1 



Application of farmyard manure to the field. In 



1 See Appendix, Note XV., p. 64. 



