Mil. NICHOLS' ADDRESS. 15 



sulphuric acid, which will cost but two or three dollais, and 

 occasionally throw into the cistern a quantity mingled with an equal 

 amount of water, and he will find ready in the spring a manure 

 worth ten fold more than its cost. The use of the acid will be to 

 to fix the ammonia which will be formed in the hquid, and prevent 

 its loss by volatilization. 



In the construction of the cistern the aid of masons need not 

 necessarily be called in. The farmer of ordinary skill can con- 

 struct it himself. The excavation may first be made, then the 

 mortar prepared by mingling with the cement enough water to form 

 a tolerably liquid paste, then working up with it an equal quantity 

 of coarse sand. It may be applied to the interior of the cavity by 

 the use of the hoe and shovel. In the centre of the plank covering 

 a box at least one foot square should be inserted, to which a tight 

 cover may be fitted, to serve as an opening into the cistern. In 

 cold frosty weather in winter the liquid of the cattle stalls will be 

 congealed ; in this state it will not pass though conductors, but 

 may be taken up with the shovel and thrown into the cistern thro' 

 the opening. In arranging the cistern the farmer must not omit to 

 to place it so that all the drainings of the barn javd will flow into 

 it. This can be done on the premises of most farmers. It is of the 

 utmost importance to his prosperity that not one drop of the rich 

 dark liquid which pervades his barnyard, especially in the spring, 

 should be lost. If it does not escape by some outlet, yet by stand- 

 ing exposed to the air, the ammonia which is formed is lost by escap- 

 ing into the same, and thus he is robbed of his treasure. 



The yard should always have a slight depression in the centre, 

 so that all the drainings will gravitate towards that point, then, by 

 a proper pathway, they may be conducted into the cistern. 



The farmer should always have at hand a vessel of oil of vitriol? 

 or sulphuric acid. He will need it, not only for his drainings, bul 

 for compost and for dissolving bones. It is purchased in strong, 

 well protected glass carboys holding several gallons. Its cost is 

 trifling, not more than two or three cents per pound. It should be 

 kept in an outhouse, and handled with care, and when wanted for 

 use diluted with at least an equal measure of water in a strong 

 wooden bucket. 



It is difficult to state exactly how much or how often it should be 



