6^ CHYMISTRY APPLIED TO AGRICULTtJRE, 



before covering the seed ; or it may be used in the spring^ 

 upon strong lands, when vegetation appears languid. 



The excrement of the domestic fowl approaches nearly 

 in its qualities to that of the pigeon^ without, however, pos- 

 sessing the same degree of power. It contains also some 

 uric acid, and may be applied to the same purposes as 

 pigeons' dung. 



In the south of France, where they raise many silk- 

 worms, they make great use of the larvas, after the silk 

 has been spun from the cocoons. They are spread at the 

 foot of the mulberry and other trees, of which the vegeta- 

 tion is in a languishing condition ; and this small quantity 

 of manure reanimates them surprisingly. Upon distilling 

 some of these larvas, I found more ammonia than I have 

 ever met with in any other animal matter. 



Night soil forms an excellent manure; but farmers 

 allow it to be wasted, because it is too active to be em- 

 ployed in its natural state, and they know not how either 

 to moderate its action, or to appropriate it during different 

 stages of fermentation to the wants of various kinds of 

 plants. 



In Belgium, which has been the cradle of enlightened 

 agriculture, and where good modes of cultivation are con- 

 tinued and constantly improved, they make astonishing 

 use of this kind of manure. The first year of its decom- 

 position, they cultivate upon the soil to which it is ap- 

 plied, oleaginous plants, such as hemp and flax ; and the 

 second year sow the land with corn. They likewise mix 

 water with urine, and use it to water the fields in the 

 spring, when vegetation begins to unfold. This substance 

 is likewise dried and scattered upon fields of cabbage. 



The Flemings value this kind of manure so much, that 

 the cities set a high rate upon the privilege of disposing 

 of the cleansings of their privies ; and there are, in each 

 one of them, sworn officers for the assistance of those wha 

 wish to make purchases. These officers know the degree 

 of fermentation suited to each kind of plant, and to the dif- 

 ferent periods of vegetation. 



We shall find great difficulty in bringing this branch of 

 industry to the same degree of perfection amongst us, that 

 it has arrived at in Belgium, because our farmers do not 

 realize its importance, and have a repugnance to employ- 

 ing this kind of manure. But, could they not collect care- 

 fully all these matters, mix them with lime, plaster, or 



