44 A PRACTICAL TREATISE 



tended tlio adoption of that inference, will be fotmd to have 

 arisen, not from a defect in the theory, but from a want of due 

 observation of circumstances in its application.' But whatever 

 may be found in the writings of scientific agriculturists in 

 favour of unfermented manure, the experience of practical 

 men may, in most cases, excuse a doubt of its expediency.* (a) 



Regarding the application of straw, which the Professor 

 thinks ' should be ploughed into the soil in a fresh state, and 

 that, in order to facilitate its mixture with the earth, it might 

 be chopped small with a machine,' we deem it almost unneces- 

 sary to add any thing more to the observations we have already 

 made, except the record of an experiment made upon dry 

 wheat straw, which was regularly laid in the hollows of drills, 

 and potato-sets placed over it. The straw and sets were then 

 covered with earth, yet very few of the potatoes ever appeared 

 above ground, and these only towards the end of autumn. 

 When the ground was ploughed up, the straw seemed to have 

 undergone no change, nor did it impart any sensible benefit 

 to subsequent crops. Had the same straw, however, been 

 previously subjected to only a moderate degree of fermenta- 

 tion, there can be no doubt that its effects would have been 

 very different; for, in most soils, potatoes thrive in dung 

 which abounds in litter that has been very slightly fermented. 



In fine, although coinciding in the opinion that the decom- 

 position of putrescent manure may be — and is very generally — 

 carried too far, and that its value is materially lessened by an 

 excess of putrefactive fermentation, yet experience proves 

 that, to a certain extent, it is absolutely requisite, though its 



*In the papers selected from the Correspondence of the Bath and West 

 of England Society, there are queries proposed by the Board of Agriciilturo 

 on several subjects connected with cultivation. The answer hy one of their 

 most distinguished members to that regarding manure, is as follows : — 



' What are the effects of dung and other manures upon the taste, Jiavour, and 

 wholesomeness of vegetahles ?' 



' If the dung be completely rotten, the effects will be quickness of growth, 

 succulence, crispness, and delicacy of flavour. I strongly suspect that the 

 application of ill-digested manure to land is an evil productive of very great 

 injury. Worms and grubs are multiplied thereby— the most noxious vapours 

 are propagated; and probably, the diseases in our grain crops may originate 

 in tiiis circnmstance. I cannot believe that the delicate tibres of a root, 

 making an efl'ort to penetrate a clod of putrefying dunir, can escape un- 

 injured; and vegetable diseases, I presume, often commence at the root.' — 

 Vol. ix. art. xix. p. 235. 'I have known recent manure check vegetation.' 

 —Ibid. p. 232. 



(a) [The rankness of fresh manure docs not affect Indian corn, or most 

 root crops; but injures wheat and other grains— increasing the liability to 

 blight or mildew.] 



