BY COMPOST MANURES. 311 



mentation ; and the reason is, that every cord of clear stable- 

 dung may help form four of good rotted manure. But as 

 farmers will continue to apply their manures in a pure state, 

 a few rules may aid them to do it in the best manner. 



1. For cold, stiff or wet soils, sheep and horse manure are 

 the best, and should be applied in the green state, spread up- 

 on the land, and immediately turned under. 



Theory. The reason is, that such soils require the heat 

 incident upon fermentation of the manure. And, as it is dif- 

 fused through the soil, the roots of plants feel its full in- 

 fluence. Such manures also render the soil lighter and 

 dryer. 



2. For light, sandy or gravelly soils, hog or cattle dung 

 may also be applied in the green state, spread and ploughed in 

 as above. Horse manure should be fermented, before being 

 applied to such soils. 



Theory. These soils do not require the heat, and a less 

 quantity is produced in fermentation by cattle than by horse 

 manure. By applying it in the green state, the gaseous pro- 

 ducts are saved, and one third of the manure ; as it has been 

 found by experiment, that one third at least, is wasted in pass- 

 ing to the state of short muck in cattle yards. 



3. Green manures, however, should never be applied to 

 any but a hoed crop. If wheat or rye are sown on lands ma- 

 nured at all, it should be rotted manure. 



Tlieory. In a hoed crop, fermentation is most active 

 in mid-summer, when the stalks and leaves need its influ- 

 ence ; but in a grain crop, the kernel is ripening at that 

 period, and fermentation is injurious to the process. If the 

 straw is increased by the large quantity of carbonic acid 

 which fermentation produces, the harvest will be hazarded ; 

 for the supply of food to the grain cannot be assimilated, and 

 disease and consequent blight will ensue. 



4. Rotted manure acts with greater power in the early 

 part of the season than green ; and hence, farmers generally 



