ON MANURES. 39 



In contradiction to this, however, another writer upon the 

 same subject thus expresses himself: — ' The object of applying 

 all kinds of manure is to nourish the seed which is sown in the 

 earth ; and we know from observation that its development is 

 much accelerated by the immediate assistance of manure. If 

 manure requires to be in a soluble state before plants derive 

 benefit from it, it is evident, the greater state of solution in 

 which the manure is, the more easily will the plant be enabled 

 to derive benefit from it. This point is finely illustrated by 

 the quicker efficacy of liquid than solid manure in nourishing- 

 the plant, when both are applied in equal strength. Now, if 

 there is no way of making manure soluble but by fermentation, 

 it is also evident a great degree of fermentation will dissolve 

 all the fibrous portions of putrescent manures the more easily. 

 This point is also well illustrated by a fermented dung-hill, the 

 materials of which, if properly commixed, will ferment strongly 

 for a time, and then the fermentation will subside to a low 

 degree, leaving the whole mass in that pulpy, sappy state, than 

 which nothing can give a better idea of a soluble state of a 

 fibrous body. Whether any really nutritive matter is driven 

 off" by fermentation before the mass is brought to that pulpy 

 state, may be doubted ; for the evaporation from such a dung- 

 hill appears to be just the steam of water in a highly elastic 

 state, glimmering like a hot haze in a sunny day, on looking 

 across a ploughed field. But even should some gaseous matter 

 escape during fermentation, this undeniable fact remains un- 

 touched — that this fermented, pulpy, sappy mass of manure 

 will go much farther in maintaining the fertility of land than 

 the same bulk, or weight, of recent farm-yard manure.' 



On the latter point we thmk there can be no rational doubt; 

 for it is very generally allowed that an equal quantity of short 

 muck, or that which has been merely reduced to the state of 

 spit-dung, is more immediately effectual as manure to the pre- 

 sent crop: but the question still remains to be decided — 

 Whether the same amount of substance, if laid upon the land 

 previous to its diminution by the loss of fluid and of gaseous 

 matter, has not a more lasting effect on the improvement of the 

 soil ] It can only be determined by long experience upon dif- 

 ferent soils, seasons, climates, crops, and rotations; and we 

 agree with Mr. Finlayson that, ' in order to make a fair trial, 

 it might not be unworthy of the agriculturist's pains to place, 

 for example, a ton of fresh dung in a favourable situation for 

 fermentation ; to turn it over once or twice ; and when rotted 



