ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MANURES. 73 



fertilizing virtues as poudrette, and is applied in a similar 

 way, and with very similar effect. 



5. Woollen rags^ and the flocks and sweepings of wool- 

 len-factories, constitute a highly-concentrated manure, and 

 are procured in considerable quantities at the woollen-mills. 



6. Fish are converted into a valuable manure, and are 

 a main dependance of fertihty on some parts of Long 

 Island, and other districts near the margin of the sea. 

 These are most economically used in the form of a com- 

 post — the earth with which they are blended absorbing 

 the volatile parts, and permitting a more equal distribu- 

 tion of the fertilizing matters upon the soil. 



7. Sea-weed^ or sea-drift, which is so often thrown 

 upon the beach in immense quantities during a storm, is 

 beneficially employed as a manure, not only on account 

 of its vegetable, but of its saHne properties. It is em- 

 ployed in composts, in litter for cattle-yards, or is ploughed 

 in in a green state. 



8. Peat earth, or swamp muck, is vegetable food, in 

 an insoluble state, and requires only such a chemical 

 change as shall render it soluble, to convert it into an ac- 

 tive manure. This change may be effected in the cattle- 

 yard, in the compost-heap, or by admixture with alkaline 

 substances, as lime, ashes, &c. 



This earth is generaly insoluble in the places where it is 

 deposited, especially when saturated with water. It some- 

 times is rendered soluble by thorough draining, and by 

 the admixture of sand or loam, and always by being 

 brought in contact with fermenting animal or vegetable 

 matters. 



9. Peat ashes are valuable as a top dressing for grain 

 or grass, and particularly for young clovers. They how- 

 ever differ much in their fertilizing properties, according 

 to the proportion of sulphate of lime and other salts which 

 they contain. The peat or bogs should be burnt in stacks 

 or piles, the fire being kindled in the centre, where dry 

 combustibles should be placed for the purpose ; and 

 when the fire has got firm hold of the peat earth or bogs, 

 It should be prevented from breaking out, by the occasional 

 addition of fresh turf or bogs to the outside. The more 



7 XV. 



