208 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



opinion, after much experience and many trials, no fixed rule 

 could be adopted, that should govern the farmers, in this 

 matter. The variety of soils vrhich we have, their location, 

 quality, elements, density, tenacity, and freeness from water, 

 call for different treatment in the application of stable or barn- 

 yard manures, and we should, perhaps, arrive at as satisfac- 

 tory conclusions by relating our own practice in this matter, and 

 the consequences resulting from this practice. My practice, for 

 the past few years, (having no barn cellar,) has been, after 

 clearing my yard in the spring, (usually in April,) to cart 

 into my yard muck, taken from a marsh swamp, (it first having 

 been thrown up and allowed to drain,) to the depth of fifteen 

 to eighteen inches, covering the entire surface of my yard. Upon 

 this I allow my hogs to run ; my cows, also, are yarded upon it 

 during the nights when they go to pasture, as at other seasons 

 of the year. All of my manure coming from my stable is placed 

 upon it, and it is made the receptacle of ashes, coal, weeds, home 

 slops, and garbage of all and every kind. 



The month of March finds me with my coarse, or stable 

 manure, upon the surface of my yard, or upon the top of this 

 under stratum, or depth of muck, which, for nearly twelve 

 months has been the receptacle of the fluid or liquid substances 

 received and retained from the upper surface or stable manure 

 of the yard, fitting it admirably for a top-dressing for my grass 

 lands, which I apply directly after I remove the surface manure 

 of the yard, spreading it evenly as possible, and after a thorough , 

 bushing distributing it amongst the roots of the grass, causing a 

 rapid and luxuriant growth of grass ; and it is the best toi> 

 dressing for grass lands that I have yet found, nor have I found 

 any soil or condition of soil to which it is not well adapted. 



My practice in the application of my coarse, or stable manure, 

 to my planting grounds, is to spread it upon the surface as 

 evenly as practicable, and to plough it in as soon after being 

 spread as possible, (believing the exposure to the effects of sun 

 and air to be injurious,) ploughing my sward lands from five to 

 six inches deep, with thorough harrowing, and planting as soon 

 after ploughing as is practicable. In relation to further treating 

 of my corn ground, it may itot be out of connection with the 

 subject to state that I prepare a compost, made of the yearly 

 droppings of the hen-house, as follows : After the annual clear- 



