172 APPENDIX. 



salts. Carbonates of lime, probably none exist in plants, except in 

 some rare cases, (as in early saxifrage, " saxifragra vernalis) as an 

 incrustation on ihe leaves. Nor do I believe its existence in the soil 

 necessary to the growth of wheat. 



But this is neither the time nor place to enlarge on this point. 



Respectfully, I am 



Very truly your friend and servant, 



SAMUEL L. DANA. 

 Rev. H. CoLMAN, Boston. 



II. — The Urine Cistern 

 From Radclife's Flanders. 



The urine cistern is constructed to contain any given quantity. 

 The usual capacity of the vault is for 1000 ^onncawx (barrels containing 

 about 38 gallons, English) which quantity for the rape-crop, will ma- 

 nure little more than two bonniers, or seven English acres. But the 

 cistern under the stables is nearly of double size; from this the exte- 

 rior cistern is filled ; and between both the farmer can fairly count upon 

 manuring in the best manner, six bonniers or twenty-one English 

 acres ; or perhaps two bonniers in addition, of crops which do not re^ 

 quire so much manure. The whole of this quantity (exclusive of farm- 

 yard dung, ashes, composts, &c.) is produced by eight horses and 

 thirty-six head of cattle, housed winter and summer in well constructed 

 stables, increased by the adventitious aid of the rape-cake and the 

 vidatiges from the privies. In a cistern of 1000 tonneaux, it is not 

 unusual to dissolve from 2000 to 4000 rape-cakes at 2 lbs. each. 

 Indeed neither industry nor expense is spared for the collection of ma- 

 nure, as upon that depend the produce and fertility of a naturally bad 

 soil. The farmer, who fails to make these exertions, is sure to be left 

 in the back-ground. 



The cistern is for the most part formed under the range of stables 

 from each stall of which the urine is conducted to a common grating, 

 through which it descends into the vault. From thence it is taken up 

 by a pump. In the best regulated, there is a partition in the cistern, 

 with a valve to admit the contents of the first space into the second, to 

 be preserved there free from the later acquisition, age adding conside- 

 rably to its efficacy. 



