132 THE MANSE GARDEN. 



fermentation and decomposition whilst the other is 

 in the process of being collected. It is wretched 

 management to have the dung so little decayed when 

 laid on the ground as to contain the live seeds of 

 hay and oats, as if nature did not give you enough of 

 weeds without those of your own sowing. To avoid 

 the sluggardly sight of ryegrass springing thicker 

 than a bed of cresses, as well as to give the designed 

 crops the full benefit of their manure, it is necessary 

 to have that portion of the dunghill which is to be 

 applied previous to the winter digging made up into 

 a fermenting heap six months before. As soon as 

 this portion has been carried away, let the other, 

 which has been added in the course of the summer, 

 be turned over on the place of that removed, so as to 

 make room for a separate and fresh accumulation. 



All manner of weeds and refuse of the garden 

 which are of the soft nature and easily decayed may 

 be carried to the new heap, where they will soon be 

 covered and prevented from wasting away; but all 

 thick and hard stalks and roots, which cannot in a 

 short time be sufficiently decomposed, should form a 

 heap elsewhere; and to which additions may be made 

 from a thousand sources. This new composition 

 should not resemble a work that is finished and com- 

 plete, having a beginning, a middle, and an end, but 

 should rather have only the middle entire, without a 

 finish at either extremity. From the oldest part of 

 the lengthened mound something may at any time 

 be removed for use, whilst new materials continue to 

 be deposited at the opposite termination. When 

 any garden rubbish is carried thither, let it be always 

 covered with a sprinkling of earth, so as to prevent 



