STALL-MANURE AND STRAW. 131 



more will its principal operation happen during the 

 first year, whilst, on the other hand, the action of 

 fresh manure extends rather to the second, and even 

 to the third. 



The pith and marrow of these observations may- 

 be embodied in the rule : Cart stall-manure^ if any- 

 where^ directly from the stable on to the field. Theory 

 and practical experience coincide in teaching that 

 this is the most certain mode of obtaining from ma- 

 nure its completest effect. 



2. If we wish, or are compelled, to keep manure 

 for some time before carting it on the land, the next 

 inquiry is, whether it is more profitable to let it lie 

 in the stable until carted, or in places specially pro- 

 vided for this purpose. 



Upon this question, the opinions of practical farm- 

 ers, as also those of theorists, are still divided. Nev- 

 ertheless, it would seem that the system of preserv- 

 ing manure in the stable under the stock finds every 

 year more acceptance amongst reflective agricul- 

 turists ; proof enough that the disadvantages inci- 

 dental to this course of procedure cannot be so mo- 

 mentous as they are frequently supposed to be, and 

 more particularly by theoretical men. That this 

 method is universally pursued in Belgium is well 

 known, and even in Germany there are not wanting 

 districts where it has long been in vogue. In the 

 kingdom of Saxony it has become very general in 

 Upper Lusatia, and is so greatly approved, that no 

 farmer there entertains the idea of its abandonment. 



