22 APPENDIX TO MR, FAY'S ADDPvESS. 



say that nitrogenous manures, of which ammonia is the most common 

 form, are more valuable than others known in agriculture ; they are volatile, 

 easily decompose, are very soluble, and are worth more to the farmer than 

 any others, because they are most likely to be needed, and because it is 

 somewhat dilficult to get a good supply. Dr. Lee says that in case the land 

 is of poor quality, and it is desired to produce a large crop in a few w^eeks 

 or months, as in market gardening, then the previous rotting of manure or 

 vegetable substances, is indispensable, to feed many growing plants up to 

 the highest point of vegetable nutrition; but on fair soils, in common field cul- 

 ture this great labor of preparing food for crops, is not wise husbandry. The 

 entire decomposition may take place in the soil, as is the case with clover, 

 peas, and other plants, when turned under with the plough. If it were 

 convenient, all the droppings of animals might be immediately covered in 

 the soils which most lack fertility, for they will loose more than they can 

 gain by keeping above ground ; but so speedy and constant an application 

 of manures, would interfere with other necessary labors on the farm, and 

 hence, the safe keeping of fertilizers, until they are needed, is of much 

 importance. The practice of providing a bed of straw, leaves, or peat, to 

 absorb all the urine of domestic animals, is commended by Dr. Lee, while 

 some writers insist that the only profitable mode of performance is to care- 

 fully secure the urine by itself, and apply it separately. To carry out this 

 plan successfully, a close reservoir must be constructed, so as to retain all 

 the liquid that falls, and convenient gutters or ducts must communicate 

 between the place occupied by the animals, when housed, and the reser- 

 voir. Yards for stock should be small, and, if convenient, upon hard, dry 

 land; they should be covered (we are now stating the custom in vogue 

 with a practical farmer in Massachusetts, as given by himself,) to the depth 

 of four or six inches, with straw, muck, or whatever else will absorb the 

 urine of the stock, and hold it until spring ; the same should be kept under 

 stables for the same purpose. The manure made in fattening hogs should 

 be collected into heaps, and be covered with bog earth or muck. In the 

 spring, all the yards should be cleared of straw and manure, which should 

 be drawn into the fields, to be planted or sown with spring grain ; it should 

 be left in heaps until the time for ploughing, and then the straw and unrot- 

 ted manure should be spread upon the wettest land, dry straw helping the 

 latter much more than fine manure, absorbing, as it does, a great deal of 

 water, and keeping the land loose and porous, so that an excess of water 

 will soon run through it or dry off, which leaves the soil in a much better 

 condition. 



