8 



The carts containing night-soil are backed up against this re- 

 ceptacle, 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 to- 

 wards 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, allow- 

 ing time for fermentation, the heap is again pitched over for 

 fining and mixing, and, occasionally, three mixings are made. 

 It w^ould 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 oth- 

 er crop will grow on such spots the same season. 



Where superphosphate of lime is used, it is best to make 

 two applications, as with guano. The results of the use of 

 superphosphates are not always satisfactory, but I have seen 

 eight hundred pounds applied to the acre produce as good 

 results as seven cords of rich compost applied side by side. 



Muscle mud obtained from the sea-coast 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 ma- 

 nure varies considerably ; and here let me add that the value 

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

 things being equal, the higher feeding the animal receives, the 

 better the manure. 



