180 [Assemble 



the action cvf his manures should be slower, VTill, of course, bury 

 them more deeply, so that tlieir less rapid decomposition will en- 

 sure a longer continuance of his meadow. Indeed, for perennials, 

 the depth for burying the greater portion of barn-yard manures 

 should be increased as compared with annuals, and even with the 

 latter, the depth of the roots should be taken into account ; part 

 of the roots, at least, should be fed at such depths as will secure 

 them from the effects of drought. 



The above remarks are applicable to barn-yard manure, night- 

 soil, factory wastes of a putrescent kind, and all other readily de- 

 composable materials, but apply with much less force to other 

 kinds of manures. 



Manures which are used as top-dressings, stimulants, &c , and 

 which contain volatile portions, should be so prepared before use 

 as to contain within themselves the means of retaining their own 

 gases as rapidly as liberated. Thus a field dressed with a solu- 

 tion of carbonate of ammonia would show immediate improve- 

 ment, but the effect of the manure would not last out the grow- 

 ing season of the crop. If, however, the carbonate of ammonia 

 be first changed to a sulphate of ammonia, which is not volatile 

 but equally valuable as a manure, then it may be applied as a 

 top-dressing without loss, and it will last until all used by crops. 

 Now, this manure, in common with many others, is not volatile^ 

 but is soluble ; but as solutions which are not volatile do not rise 

 in the soil, but continue to descend to the depth to which the soil 

 has been disintegrated, and are rendered doubly valuable by in- 

 timate admixture with the soil, they should be applied in the 

 most divided form, at or near the surface. ThusPeruvian guano, 

 which contains both volatile and soluble materials^ should befirs4 

 properly prepared to prevent loss by evaporation, and then ap- 

 plied at or near the surface, so that in its descent while in solu- 

 tion it may come in contact with every particle of the soil and 

 with every root. The improved super-phosphate ot lime, and 

 many other manures, are not volatile, but slowly soluble, and 

 thus may be applied without additions other than wtll chosea 

 divisors to ensure their equal distribution.. 



