350 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



The result always is, that even with the most clumsy compost- 

 ing, an increase of value is obtained, beyond the power of the 

 two used separately. One cord of manure rendered fluid, will 

 represent two and a half cords. But the question is, whether the 

 expense of the manipulation does not neutralize the advantage. 

 You may cover the surface of a field with shavings, if you like, 

 and the soil will be improved. Mulching with leaves, or the salt 

 hay of the meadows, is not to be mistaken for the effect of manure 

 which passes into the soil by solution. The professor would use 

 many things as a top dressing, but not stable manure, which is 

 very volatile, especially in a long state. 



In the winter treatment of barn-yard manure in the open 

 air, if you will watch it, you will observe the decomposition 

 and escape of gases. It is not so valuable as manure treated 

 under a shed. It evaporates rapidly if exposed. If placed 

 under a shed, and allowed to become short very rapidly, with- 

 out becoming heated, its value is enhanced. The object is to 

 get it in solution, and not at the same time in a volatile state. 

 A cistern is to be employed, supplied with a necessary quantity 

 of water. The two conditions are air and moisture, and then the 

 soluble materials run through the solid material to the cistern. 

 A minute amount of sulphuric acid may be added to the cistern, 

 which converts the carbonate of ammonia into the sulphate. This 

 plan gets rid of the immense labor of turning over the materials 

 too fibrous to admit of manipulation, that might render it homo- 

 genous. The trouble and time and loss of handling over, is got 

 rid of by the arrangement of a cistern at the foot of the manure 

 heap. It was said that Liebig was all wrong, that ammonia was 

 not so especially useful; and now, on the other side. Dr. Voelckel 

 assumed an equally fanatical opinion. Both parties had assumed 

 a too exclusively one-sided view of the truth in this matter. 

 Organic materials were as necessary as inorganic, for the growth 

 of plants. But both must be placed in such a condition as was 

 favorable for assimilation by the growing plants. 



The professor was very satirical upon the folly of those farmers 

 who suffer the liquid drainage from their manure heaps to run 

 down a hill and across the road, before their fiirra yards. He 



