THE MANURE. 9 



combination of manures in an arithmetical ratio will produce 

 results approaching a geometrical ratio. To make a com- 

 post of loam or muck and night-soil, select a spot very near 

 the piece to be planted, and cover the ground with either to 

 the depth of a foot or eighteen inches ; then raise a bank 

 of the same material surrounding this floor to the height of 

 three or four feet, with a thickness of from four to six feet. 

 The carts containing night-soil are backed up against this 

 receptacle, and, the door being unscrewed, the contents 

 shoot out. If barn-manure is used, it usually forms part of 

 the sides of the receptacle. During the winter the frosts act 

 on the heap to the further sweetness and disintegrating of it ; 

 and towards spring the mass is pitched most thoroughly 

 over, being mixed and made as fine as possible, — sand, 

 when obtainable, having been either previously, or being 

 subsequently, liberally mixed with it, which so " cuts " or 

 separates it that it remains light and fine. After an interval 

 of about a fortnight, allowing time for fermentation, the heap 

 is again pitched over for fining and mixing ; and, occasion- 

 ally, three mixings are made. It would be well for tourists 

 to avoid the onion-districts at this season of the year, as a 

 little experience will amply satisfy them. 



These composts should not be made on the ground where 

 the onions are to be planted, for neither onions nor any 

 other crop will grow on such spots the same season. 



Muscle-mud, obtained from the seacoast, is rarely used 

 alone, though large crops are sometimes raised on old onion- 

 ground by the application of this alone, at the rate of eight 

 cords to the acre. It appears to give the best results a few 

 miles inland. The strength, and consequent value, of this 

 manure varies considerably : and here let me add that the 

 value of all animal manures will be found to vary greatly ; 



