PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS* CLUB. 349 



whicli have been generally olijected to because they were supposed to be 

 loaded with antiseptic matters, with great advantage. 



Such in vegetable economy is tlic indispensable agency of water; it is 

 the vital fluid of all plants, upon its proper use the perfection, quality and 

 quantity of all the earth's productions depend, particularly those intended 

 for man's use. In the midst of this unbounded and incalculable profusion 

 not one drop is wasted. 



In respect to the time at which liquid manures may be distributed with 

 the most direct effect on vegetation, it may be stated that the best season 

 is when the rootlets are out and sound, and the plant is in action, and at 

 different stages of their growth. On grass lands, in Scotland, sewer water 

 is delivered eight times a year to each plot of ground; but it is used con- 

 stantly on a succession of plots. The best practice gives it twice a week, 

 with one plain watering in each interval. With sewage sufficiently diluted, 

 the intermediate watering, which is desirable when strong liquid is used, 

 will be unnecessary. The barrier to the adoption of frequency of delivery 

 in agricultural practice, is the expense of the labor of delivery, which it 

 has been the great object to reduce. By perseverance, more than is now 

 performed in horticulture may be accomplished for agriculture. The best 

 times for the application of liquid manure in agriculture are when the ground 

 Is not too dry, nor the sun bright, or wind high, as at those times circum- 

 stances are favorable to rapid evaporation. The weather should not be so 

 excessively wet as to carry the manure away, but moist and even showery, 

 to assist in its absorption. In March and April plants may be watered at 

 all times in the day. In May, June, July and August in the morning and 

 evening. In autumn and winter at any time except the afternoon. But 

 put it on when you may, its application will be attended with advantage. 

 The effects of guano will be quadrupled by distribution in solution in water, 

 particularly when it is varied in intensity with the state of the weather, 

 and of the soil, the greatest intensity being at the times when the rain will 

 serve for dilution. When liquid manure is distributed over grass land in 

 dry weather, the leaves should receive a washing of plain water to free 

 them from the manure left on them. The experience in Germany on liquid 

 manures is that when the liquid is applied as a top-dressing, care must be 

 taken that in pumping it into the water cart in which it is carried into the 

 field, no agitation takes place, otherwise the decomposed particles, consist- 

 ing of vegetable fibre, will lie on the leaves of the young plant, and pro- 

 duce an injurious incrustation. In summer they apply it only in wet wea- 

 ther, otherwise the plants, when the soil is dry, will receive too concen- 

 trated a nutriment, and consequently become rather worse than better. 

 They might dilute it more were it not for the labor of carting it out to the 

 field. On account of this it is only applied there to meadows and fields 

 which lie near their houses. In French Flanders, human soil is collected 

 with great care, as it should, and eventually will be done everywhere. 

 They have reservoirs for its preservation in every farming establishment, 

 where there is always a cistern in masonry, with an arch turned over it, 

 for the especial purpose of collecting this invaluable manure; the bottom is 

 paved and cemented. The Flemish reservoir generally is of the dimensions 

 of thirty-five cubical yards. Whenever the necessary operations of the 

 farm will permit, the carts are sent to the neighboring town to purchase 



