342 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



fusion of manures in water, and frequent applications of weak solutions; 

 rather than single or unfrequent applications of concentrated solutions 

 with much solid matter in suspension. The fertilizing power of sewage 

 and other liquefied manure appears to be similar, whatsoever is the nature 

 of the soil, but is remarkably striking on sandy soils, from the contrast 

 with their previous barrenness. Land that can be irrigated has only to be 

 Ibose and permeable in order to develope the whole of the fertility which 

 climate and manure can confer. 



Rich crops of Indian corn are gatlicred upon the plateau of the Andes of 

 Quito in a sand that is almost moving, by being dexterously and abundantly 

 irrigated. 



In tlie 3^car 1809 Mr. William Ilarley observing the inferior quality of 

 milk in Glasgow, from cows kept in the town in close unventilated stables, 

 built a cow house in which sanitary principles were applied in keeping the 

 cows, and consequently improved the quality and increased the quantity of 

 the milk. Instead of permitting the urine to stagnate in or near the cow 

 stables, he applied it, with the most eminent success as a manure. The 

 cow stable attracted so many visitors, that at length they became incon- 

 venient, and a shilling each was charged for the exhibition, which raised a 

 thousand dollars per annum. But this example of the successful applica- 

 tion of the liquid manure gained no general imitation, indeed no known 

 imitation whatever, among tlie farmers or cattle owners in the neighborhood, 

 who thenceforward, and indeed at the present time, allow the urine to run 

 to waste as nearly all the farmers in our country do. If you visit even the 

 best farmers' barn-yards they will immediately point out the conveniences, 

 and among the most prominent, a stream of water passing through the 

 centre, which carries the urine and other fertilizing matters of the yard to 

 the nearest stream, where it kills the fish, pollutes the water, and becomes 

 a serious nuisance. 



Tliere is, perhaps, no portion of the universe in which the practical pre- 

 paration or application of animal and vegetable manures is so perfectly 

 understood as in China. The population of which is so enormous, that 

 nearly the whole labor is performed by human beings, which much reduces 

 the number of horses and working animals; consequently night soil forms 

 the chief dependence of the agriculturist. It is dried throughout that vast 

 Empire, formed into cakes, and sold as a commercial commodity. It is 

 then combined with other substances, diluted with urine, weakened with 

 water, and applied almost universally in the liquid. 



When the speculator purchases from the vendor he forms a collection of 

 animal substances, such as putrid fish, flesh, and blood, which are placed 

 in a large covered tub, to whicli he adds urine and water, in sufficient 

 quantities to fiUiit ; a mandarin then attends and affixes his seal upon the 

 lock of the vessel; in which state it must remain for at least six months. 

 AVhen this period has elapsed, the mandarin breaks the seal, and grants 

 a certificate stating the quality of the preparation, which is carried by the 

 proprietor and shown to those who buy the liquid for gardens, frequently 

 in so small a quantity as a single pint. When used it is diluted largely with 

 water, often five or six times its bulk, and is extensively used in gardens, 

 but chiefly in drills. 



