312 MODE OF USING NIGHT SOIL. ([Cnap. XVI. 
morning to market loaded with the produce of 
their farms. Each brings home two buckets of 
this manure, slung at the ends of his bamboo 
pole. In England it is generally supposed that the 
Chinese carry the night soil-and urine to these 
tanks, and leave it there to undergo fermentation, 
before they apply it to the land. This, however, 
is not the case; at least, not generally. In the 
fertile agricultural districts in the north, I have 
observed that the greater part of this stimulant is 
used in a fresh state, being of course sufficiently 
diluted with water before it is applied to the crops. 
And there can be little doubt that in this the 
Chinese are perfectly right, as the manure must be 
much more efficient in this state than when a great 
portion of its ammonia has passed off into the air. 
The Chinese, as far as I could learn, have no mode 
of disinfecting their manure, but they seem to be 
perfectly aware, that if allowed free access to the 
air a great loss must result, owing to the gases 
which are given out and dissipated. Without wait- 
ing, then, for fermentation or putrefaction, this 
manure is at once applied to the growing crops. 
On the afternoons, or on cloudy days, the labourers 
are seen carrying water from the nearest pond or 
canal to the manure tank, for the purpose of 
diluting its contents. This being done, they fill 
their buckets, attaching one to each end of their 
bamboo in the usual way, and carry them off to 
their destination. When this is reached, each man 
takes a small wooden ladle having a long bamboo 
