112 THE 



covered three inches deep with concrete, made of gravel, 

 six parts ; sand three parts ; and hydraulic cement one 

 part. These are well mixed into a thin mortar, which is 

 evenly spread and well rammed down until it is firm and 

 solid. It is advisable when it is dry to give it a coat oi 

 hot gas-tar, which makes it harder and more durable, and 

 less liable to break under the weight of a load of manure, 

 and it keeps vermin out.. The cellar should have several 

 windows to afford thorough ventilation. This is very im- 

 portant. The manure made by well-fed cows is rich and 

 quickly ferments, throwing off a good deal of carbonic, 

 acid gas ; more csioecially from the action of the plaster 

 upon the ammonia which is formed, and which unites 

 with the plaster, giving off carbonic acid. A good deal 

 of hydrogen gas is also evolved, which, with the carbonic 

 acid, will at times form carburretted hydrogen, and it is 

 well to get rid of this gas as quickly as possible, as it 

 is very deleterious. A thorough ventilation is therefore 

 needed, and at least six windows should be provided in 

 the cellar as near the upper part as may be. These win- 

 dows should have sliding sash, and need not be larger 

 than three feet by one and one-half, placed lengthwise 

 horizontally. 



The door should be at least twelve feet wide and made 

 to run on hangers and a track, so as to slide easily each 

 way. They are then in no way inconvenient, as hinged 

 doors always are. My doors are open on the upper 

 half, and are there barred, to admit air and to make 

 them lighter. No animals are permitted m the manure 

 cellar. There is nothing there for them to eat, and if 

 there was, I object strongly to any animal consuming as 

 food any part of the excrement of another; believing this 

 to be a prevalent source of disease and loss, and to be 

 avoided as unnatural, filthy, and unwholesome in the 

 extreme. Moreover, pigs will do better with healthful 

 exercise in a grass field or a wood lot, than in turning up 



