76 A PRACTICAL TREATISE 



that which had not been so treated. Even in March it afforded 

 a full bite ; but should the grass be wanted for pasture, and 

 not for cutting, the manure should not be applied later than 

 December, as, when deferred until February, the cattle are 

 rather shy in eating it. No. 2.— The effect when applied to 

 clover-lea, to be broken up for oats, was very perceptible ; the 

 increase of crop being about one-third. No. 3. — For wheat it 

 answers well on a light soil ; but on stiff or clay land it does 

 no good. If laid on when the land is wet, it is also of no per- 

 ceptible benefit to the wheat; but if applied under more 

 favourable circumstances, that crop would probably be increased 

 Glx)ut one-fourth. No. 4. — To barley its application was 

 found injurious ; for, although the bulk of the crop was great, 

 yet the strav/ was so soft and weak that it lodged. No. 5. — 

 Potatoes grew to a large size, but they were watery and quite 

 unfit for the table ; though the application of a little dung 

 along with the urine improved their quality. No. 6. — On 

 turnijis it was not found half so efficient as fermented dung. 



It appears that this species of liquid manure applies best to 

 grass ; a doctrine which is corroborated by the experience of 

 Mr. Harley, the proprietor of the celebrated dairy near Glas- 

 gow, who says, — 'that the advantages of irrigating grass-lands 

 with cows' urine almost exceeds belief: last season some small 

 fields were cut six times, averaging fifteen inches in length 

 at each cutting, and the sward very thick.' It was also found 

 to succeed best after a shower, or when the ground was moist; 

 but if laid on during sultry weather, it was advantageous to 

 mix it with one-third of w'ater; and although that was not 

 thought necessary in spring or autumn, yet, judging from the 

 quantity used, it may be presumed to have been rather pro- 

 fusely added. We learn, indeed, from Sir Humphrey Davy, 

 that, 'during the putrefaction of urine, the greatest part of the 

 toluble matter, contained in it is dissipated.' He therefore 

 recommends tliat 'it should be consumed as fresh as possible, 

 but if not mixed with solid compost, it should be diluted with 

 water, as, when undiluted, it contains too m.uch animal matter 

 to form a proper fluid nutriment for absorption by the roots of 

 plants.' This theory, it wall however be recollected, contra- 

 dicts both the Flemish and the Chinese practice, which favours 

 a protracted degree of fermentation ; but he admits that 'putrid 

 urine abounds in ammoniacal salts; and, though less active 

 than fresh urine, that it is a very powerful manure.' It can- 



