440 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



barnyard practice. As fast as the fluid ran over into the gut- 

 ters, and was received into the receptacle prepared for it, it was 

 again pumped on the original heap. As long as the mass was 

 kept in fermentation, there could be no failure in the results, for 

 the decomposition would always be rapid and complete. There 

 would never be any necessity for turning over the mass. If the 

 slightest escape of ammonia became apparent, the addition of a 

 single quart of sulphuric acid would change the ammonia to sul- 

 phate of ammonia, which was not volatile, and would be found 

 equally soluble and valuable in its eifects. But the muck, 

 although of so much value in this way, is of no value at all 

 when not treated in this manner, and differs as much in its pro- 

 perties as a raw hide from a tanned one. If the muck be treated 

 with a lime and salt mixture, it is carried back to the principle 

 in which it originally existed. The fluid manure may also, with 

 good results, be used in the fields, and the farmer may convert 

 every manure into a fluid or solution. In fact, by means of pipes 

 and gutters, and a plentiful supply of water, not only can solid 

 manures be converted into fluid, by continued fermentation and 

 filtration, but they may in this manner be carried to the most 

 distant part of a farm. This plan was well known in Flanders, 

 and there was no reason why it should not be as successfully 

 adopted in this country, where our natural and artificial advan- 

 tages were so abundantly superior. If any example were needed 

 he would refer to the case of Mr. Mechi, in England, who had 

 carried out this system at immense expense. But the cost need 

 not be great in this country. Mr. Mechi had to construct expen- 

 sive machinery, and besides had to contend with numerous dijQSl- 

 culties which cannot be met with here. 



If the land should at any time require any farther excitants, 

 lime will be found an excellent application. Pew soils contain 

 as much lime, properly conditioned, as plants will appropriate ; 

 lime may be used with effect, not only as a direct food for plants, 

 but to prepare the pabulum for their support. Again, as one of 

 its secondary effects, it neutralizes acidities. In case the land 

 should be over-limed, as has sometimes occurred, it can be im- 

 mediately rectified by a sprinkling of common salt. If it is 

 over-salted it recovers its equilibrium by a single application of 

 lime. But lime should never be buried beneath the soil. A 

 stratum of lime placed on the top of a barrel of sand, will, by 

 the assistance of moisture, speedily find its way to the bottom. 



