1010 THE COMPLETE GEAZIER. BOOK xi. 



proved to be as great in this case as in the common method of 

 application in May or June, especially on the better class of soils. A 

 combination with artificial manures will be of service, as the applica- 

 tion of them in small quantities at the time of sowing the crop will 

 push forward the young plants until they are able to utilise the manure 

 incorporated with the soil." 



It is usually found that the ridge system answers best on heavy 

 soils in wet climates, and the flat s} T stem on dry soils. 



" The quantity of farmyard manure which should be applied depends 

 on the state of the soil and the crop for which it is intended. Twenty 

 tons to the acre are considered an ample allowance throughout the best 

 cultivated districts of the country, while in others more than twice the 

 quantity is applied. The intervals of time at which the application 

 takes place should be taken into account in ascertaining the quantity 

 to be applied, but more frequent applications, and in smaller quan- 

 tities, would probably be found to answer the intended purpose, better 

 than the system so generally followed. The object of the farmer 

 should undoubtedly be directed to the production of earl} 7 rather than 

 prospective results ; and it having been satisfactorily ascertained, in 

 the case of some of the artificial manures, that an increase in quantity 

 beyond a certain amount is productive of no beneficial effects to the 

 immediate crop, it is worth consideration how far the same holds good 

 as regards farmyard manure, and whether it would not be desirable 

 to regulate the quantity applied to the wants of the earlier crops, 

 and to repeat the application at shorter intervals, as occasion might 

 require." l 



The proper time for manuring land, and the best mode of applying 

 the manure, are points which must be determined by the convenience 

 of the farmer, the condition of the land, and the state of the weather. 

 In general, however, the application of dung may be regulated in a 

 great measure by the following rules : 



1. The land should preferably be dry, in order that it may be fit for 

 the reception and retention of the manure which is to be ploughed in 

 and thus incorporated with it. In the case of grass or meadow-lands, 

 which require the manure only to be strewed or spread on the surface 

 of the soil as a top-dressing, it will be best to apply it a short time 

 before the grass begins to shoot up from the ground. On the contrary, 

 where it is deposited in the earth, the most suitable time will be 

 immediately before sowing the seeds of the crop for the nutriment of 

 which the manure is destined to serve. 



2. The dung or compost should be spread without delay (in fact, as 

 soon as possible after it has been carried to the field), and dispersed 

 as uniformly as may be. For this purpose, the labourers and imple- 

 ments should be ready on the spot. The loads should be regularly 

 arranged in rows, and the manure immediately turned in, as it more 

 readily decomposes in the ground when newly covered, and its whole 

 essence is thus secured to the soil. 



1 Farmer's Magazine, vol. xxi. p. 61. 



