70 TALKS ON MANURES. 



from the homestead at other seasons, at which it cannot be so ap- 

 plied, and when it must be stored for future use. The following 

 has been found an effectual and economical mode of accomplish- 

 ing this ; more particularly when cut litter is used, it saves the cost 

 of repeated turnings, and etfectually prevents the decomposition 

 and waste of the most active and volatile principle. 



" Some three or more spots are selected according to the size of 

 the farm, in convenient positions for access to the land under Ull- 

 age, and by the side of the farm roads The sites fixed on are 

 then excavated about two feet under the surrounding surface. In 

 the bottom is laid some three or four inches of earth to absorb any 

 moisture, on which the manure is emptied from the carts. This is 

 evenly spread, and well trodden as the heap is forming. As soon 

 as this is about a foot above the ground level, to allow for sinkmg, 

 the heap is gradually gathered in, until it is completed in the form 

 of an ordinary steep roof, slightly rounded at the top by the final 

 treading. In the course of building this up, about a bushel of salt, 

 to two cart-loads of dung is sprinkled amongst it. The base laid 

 out at any one time should not exceed that required by the manure 

 ready for the complete formation of the heap as far as it goes ; and 

 within a daj' or two after such portion is built up, and it has 

 settled into shape, a thin coat of earth in a moist state is plastered 

 entirely over the surface. Under these conditions decomposition 

 does not take place, in consequence of the exclusion of the air ; or 

 at any rate to so limited an extent, that the ammonia is absorbed 

 by the earth, for there is not a trace of it perceptible about the 

 heap; though, when put together without such covering, this is 

 perceptible enough to leeward at a hundred yards' distance. 



" When heaps thus formed are resorted to in the autumn, either 

 for the young seeds, or for plowing in on the stubbles after prepar- 

 ing for the succeeding root crop, the manure will be found un- 

 diminished in quantity and unimpaired in quality ; in fact, simply 

 consolidated. Decomposition then proceeds within the soil, where 

 all its results are appropriated, and rendered available for the suc- 

 ceeding cereal as well as the root crop. 



" It would be inconvenient to plaster the heap, were the ridge, 

 when settled, above six or seven feet from the ground level ; the 

 base may be formed about ten to twelve feet wide, and the ridge 

 about nine feet from the base, which settles down to about seven 

 feet; this may be extended to any length as further supplies of 

 manure require removal. One man is sufficient to form the heap, 

 and it is expedient to employ the same man for this service, who 

 soon gets into the way of performing the work neatly and quickly. 



