No. 144.] 481 



mechanically, but chemically, showing that an immediate and 

 highly beneficial combination is formed. The greater proportion 

 of the enriching substances lost by decomposition and rapid 

 evaporation, by the retention of compost in the dry state as top 

 .dresiingj is preserved by being dissolved and carried in liquid 

 beneath the surface immediately to the roots. I believe that a 

 single ton of solid manure, dissolved with sufl&cient water, will 

 have six times the fertilizing effect that it would if applied on the 

 surface, as a top dressing, in a solid form. 



I know of a gentleman in England who had twenty-eight acres 

 of land in front of his mansion, that at one time yielded hay for two 

 cows only. He placed the manure of forty cows and four horses 

 in a tank, through which he passed a small stream of water, and 

 irrigated with the solution twenty-three acres of the land, and the 

 balance, five acres, he manured with the liquid refuse of his 

 house. The produce of this piece of land now enables him to 

 feed the forty cows and four horses the year round. 



There are many arable farms that raise a large quantity of 

 straw and poor grass, that have a small streani of water running 

 through them, which might be made rich and productive, by 

 alllowing stock to convert the straw and hay into solid manure; 

 the stream of water to liquefy it, and gravitation convey the 

 liquid to the roots of plants, without much attention from the far- 

 mer. When you have diluted your manure to such an extent 

 that the smell is extinguished, it is in the best possible condition 

 for assimilation by the plant. Liquid manure may be applied 

 twice a week, and pure water once, to great advantage. It is well 

 known to you all, that no root or spongiole can take in manure 

 from the soil in- any other shape than that of a liquid, as the most 

 powerful microscopes have invariably failed to observe the aper- 

 tures to the spongioles of roots; consequently, if there are any 

 particles in your liquid manure visible to the naked eye, you may 

 be assured it is unfit for assimilation by the plant. Place the 

 roots of plants in thin solutions of sugar or starch, and they will 

 thrive ; if the solutions are thick they will die. 



I have applied liquid manure to grapes with very great advan- 

 tage, producing a much larger quantity in weight, of a rich color, 

 [Assembly No. 144.] E 2 



