MANURING. 21 



Again, fresh manures, even in a liquid form,* induce 

 a rank growth of herbage ; but they do not produce 

 good plump seed. Hence, if applied to common 

 small grains, they cause a great growth of straw at 

 the expense of the grain : fermentation being most 

 rapid at midsummer, when the seed, and not the 

 straw, requires the food. Hut the autumn-ripening 

 crops, as com, &c., are in that state at midsummer 

 which requires strong food to perfect their stalks 

 and leaves ; and the fermentation of the manure has 

 subsided before the grain matures in autumn. Fos- 

 sil manures, as lime, marl, gypsum, are applied upon 

 the surface or buried superficially, because their dis- 

 position is to settle down, and they give off no gas- 

 eous food. 



Individuals, it is tme, are but units ; yet the ag- 

 gregation of units makes millions, and the aggrega- 

 tion of individuals constitutes nations. We should 

 all act as though individual example had an impo- 

 sing influence upon the whole. In the matter which 

 we have just discussed, every farmer may be as- 

 sured that, by adopting our suggestions, he will un- 

 questionably promote his own interest, and, by his 

 example, benefit society. 



Having shown that manures are indispensable to 

 good husbandry; that they constitute the food of 

 plants ; and that they may be greatly increased by 

 good management, we proceed now to the next re- 

 quisite in the new system of husbandry, viz. : 



* Col. Le Courteur (see Fanner's Magazine) tried stable ma- 

 nure and liquid manilre, the latter diluted, upon his wheat. The 

 grain tillered much, or gave a great growth of straw and grass ; 

 but the product in grain was diminished. When the liquid 

 manure was applied a second time, by being poured upon the 

 growing wheat, the straw was very rank ; but the plants pro 

 duced only a few ears of wheat, and those were very defective 

 in grain. 



