MANURES. 119 



that may be required, and about two feet deep ; we then put on this a 

 layer of common soil about six or eight inches deep, then a layer of 

 farmyard manure about a foot thick, putting along with such layer a 

 quantity of lime ; another layer of peat is put over the farmyard manure, 

 and finished at the top with a covering of earth, and have from time to 

 time a quantity of liquid manure thrown over the heap. This, after 

 standing for two or three months, with the frequent application of liquid 

 manure, makes a first-rate topdressing for grass-land or for turnips. I 

 have used dry peat with great benefit in the north of Scotland, by hav- 

 ing it carted into the foldyard of the steading, and there allowed to lie to 

 absorb the liquid manure. Charred peat has also been used, and must 

 be recommended as a manuring agency ; but it does not act so well as 

 dried peat mixed with other substances. 



SECTION 7. Soot as a Manure. 



Soot is a highly useful manure, especially as a topdressing for grass- 

 land and grain crops. It is usually applied at the rate of from twenty 

 up to fifty bushels per acre. It is said that there are nearly four hundred 

 thousand houses in London, which produce one million one hundred 

 thousand eight hundred and ten bushels of soot in each year. The 

 average price of soot in London is 5d per bushel ; this would give the 

 annual value of the London soot at 20,833, 6s. 8d. Soot contains, 

 amongst other substances, the following in every 1000 Ib. : 



IK 

 Sal-ammonia, ........ 20 



Sulphate of ammonia, 80 



Gypsum, 247 



Moisture, ...... . . 237 



At the same time, as it is derived from materials of variable composi- 

 tion, this analysis can only be regarded as giving a general idea of its 

 nature. It is also usually mixed with rubbish by the dealers in it. I 

 have used it with great effect as a topdressing to grass. Its value 

 is increased when mixed with salt, but it should never be mixed with 

 lime. 



SECTION 8. Guanoes. 







Guano is the dung of sea-birds found on rocks situated chiefly on 

 the west coast of South America. The birds have congregated together 

 from age to age, until the droppings from them have accumulated 



