On Liquid Manure. 



In conclusion I offer some remarks 



IV. ON THE MODES OF DISPOSING OF LIQUID MANURE. 



With respect to the disposal of the liquid manure produced on 

 a farm, I have come to the conclusion that on porous, sandy, 

 naturally unproductive soils, the liquid excrements of animals 

 are best disposed of, together with the solid excrements, by 

 mixing both with much water and irrigating the land with such 

 liquid manure. Where plenty of water can be obtained at a 

 moderate expense, and where facilities exist for irrigation by 

 gravitation, so. that no expenses have to be incurred for the 

 erection of steam-pumping engines and underground pipes, I 

 believe that this will be found incomparably the most effective 

 and economic mode of manuring the land. 



But instances are comparatively rare in this country where 

 the liquid and solid excrements can be disposed of together with 

 advantage. The question therefore arises, how should liquid 

 manure be disposed of on clay soils, and on land such as we 

 frequently find it, that is neither so stiff as clay nor so loose in 

 texture as sand. 



This question involves the consideration of several purely 

 practical matters. Thus, for instance, the quantity of liquid 

 manure produced on a farm must necessarily influence a farmer 

 in his proceedings ; if there are only a few thousand gallons of 

 liquid manure produced, it will of course not pay to construct 

 an expensive tank and lay down pipes, whilst on another farm 

 it may be good policy to collect the liquid in a water-tight tank. 

 Again, a proper answer to this question cannot be given, unless 

 it is stated whether fattening stock or young cattle are chiefly 

 kept on a farm, or whether the farm consists chiefly of arable 

 or pasture land, or whether most of the fields are light or heavy, 

 whether much or little straw is produced, and in what way the 

 straw is disposed of with most benefit. Such and similar con- 

 siderations must necessarily influence the arrangements for col- 

 lecting and disposing of the excrementitious matters produced 

 von a farm. Nothing therefore can be more absurd than to lay 

 down a fixed rule for the management of liquid manure. On one 

 of my agricultural excursions I remember having visited a farm 

 where I found the liquid-manure tank brim-full. On inquiry 

 what was done with the tank liquid ? I was told, " Nothing." 

 This appeared to me a strange answer, and I was half inclined 

 to consider my host behind the times. However, knowing him 

 to be a remarkably intelligent and thoroughly practical man, 

 I did not jump at once to such a hasty conclusion, but endea- 

 voured to learn from him all the particulars which led him at 

 first to erect a tank, and afterwards to allow the liquid manure 

 to run over and find its way into the soil as best it could. The 



