ON MANURES. 67 



and it must lie where it falls. The repeated stoppage of the 

 horses also occupies much time. Both these modes are there- 

 fore attended with inconvenience. 



When carefully done, the distance to which the dung is 

 to be carried to the field should be ascertained, and such a 

 number of carts employed as will give constant occupation to 

 both the men and cattle: thus, supposing three to be sufficient, 

 then two teams only — of whatever number — are to be worked, 

 one gomg and the other returning, while the third cart is left 

 standing at the dung-hill to be filled, and replaced by the one 

 which has returned empty, the cattle in which are then taken 

 oft' and harnessed to the other, so that no time is lost. It 

 should be spread immediately, and can never be done at any 

 other time so cheaply. It is, indeed, decidedly the most 

 economical method for the carter to spread it from the car- 

 riage ; but as he cannot do this with the minuteness which is 

 requisite to separate it completely and spread it equally over 

 the soil, such a number of women or children, attended by an 

 overseer, should be employed to follow the carts, as will effect 

 this in the most perfect manner. That number will of course 

 be regulated by the condition of the manure, the quantity to 

 be used, and the distance from which it is drawn. The farmer 

 himself, or some trusty person in whom he can confide, should 

 not only determine the number of loads that are to be spread 

 upon each acre, but should careftiUy regulate the distance 

 which each load should cover, by measuring the quantity of 

 land: this, when it is laid on in regular ridges, is very easily 

 ascertained by pacing them, and summing up the length and 

 breadth of the ridges ; and then it is only needful to direct the 

 carter to make each load cover a certain space, — as one load 

 upon one ridge, or three loads upon two ridges, &:c. But if it 

 is determined to lay down the manure in small heaps for the 

 followers to spread entirely, m this case, the distance of each 

 separate heap should be' pa^ed over and marked.* The 

 regularity of the distribution*of manure ought never to be 

 intrusted' to common labourers without superintendence. _ If 

 the carter be employed, unless a boy be given him to drive, 

 tlie necessary degree of equality can hardly be expected. It 

 may also be sometimes advisable to lay a larger quantity upon 

 one part than upon another of the same field, for the soils may 



* A table, stating the number of heaps or bushtls per acre, will be inserted 

 at the close of the volume. 



