204 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



fermentation may be of use, for by it a disposition is brought on, 

 in the woody fibre, to decay and dissolve when it is carried to 

 the land. Too great a degree of fermentation is, however, very 

 injurious, as it tends to the destruction and dissipation of the 

 most valuable parts of the manure. 



In favor of the application of farm-yard manure in a recent 

 state, a great mass of facts may be found in the writings of 

 scientific agriculturists ; and perhaps there is no subject of 

 investigation in which there is such a union of theoretical and 

 practical evidence. 



It should be borne in mind that manures lose, in bulk, about 

 fifty per cent, by thorough fermentation. "When this is carried 

 to excess, so as to fire-fang, they are often reduced to one-fourth 

 their original volume. 



While I speak thus confidently of the utility of using unfer- 

 mented manure, I would by no means discourage its preparation 

 by composting, when not consistent to apply it in a green state. 

 Neither can I agree with those who think that nothing is thus 

 added (practically,) beyond tlie manurial value of the material 

 used. Absorbents may be used which will fix and retain the 

 volatile portions of the manure, thrown off in decomposition, 

 and which would otherwise be lost ; and thus its volume and 

 value be increased. 



To what crops shall manure be applied ? 



While some crops are always benefited by direct and copious 

 applications, others are grown with better success after the 

 manure has been assimilated by previous cropping. Manure 

 applied directly to the wheat crop often proves injurious, 

 inducing too rank a growth of straw, or, perhaps I should say, 

 an imperfect growth, incapable of sustaining and perfecting the 

 grain. True, this difficulty may, in part, be obviated by previous 

 fermentation. But if what I have said of the economy of using 

 unfcrmcnted manure be correct, then we may adopt as a rule, 

 that manure should not be applied directly to the small grains, 

 or crops which are cultivated exclusively for their seeds ; but to 

 lioed crops, and such as are cultivated more particularly for 

 :their stems, stocks or roots. 



It may be said that Indian corn affords an exception to this 

 nule, inasmuch as it is cultivated for its seed, and is not injured 

 hj direct and copious application of manure. Without stopping 



