On the Agriculture of the Netherlands. 



47 



years, than that of the Improved heaths of the provinces of Ant- 

 werp and Guelderland. 



The most rapid improver of loose sands is rich liquid manure, 

 affording immediate nourishment to plants, which otherwise, for 

 want of moisture, would languish, even with an abundance of 

 solid dung ; for this last remains altogether inert, until it be moist- 

 ened and partly dissolved. When the fibres of the roots spread, 

 they bind the loose sand, and prevent the too rapid evaporation 

 and percolation of the moisture. These roots remain in the soil 

 when the crop is reaped, and by their decay afford organic matter 

 for the nourishment of the next crop. Hence it is evident that the 

 plants which have long spreading roots, if they can be made to 

 vegetate vigorously by an ample supply of liquid manure, greatly 

 improve very light sands, and, in process of time, by the decay 

 of the vegetable fibres, produce such an increase of humus as 

 entirely to change the quality of the soil. 



The collection and preparation of liquid manure is an object 

 of primary importance with the Flemish farmer : every farm 

 has, near or under the stables and cow-houses, one or more capa- 

 cious tanks, into which the urine of the animals and the washings 

 of the stables flow ; and every exertion is made to increase the 

 quantity and improve the quality of the tank liquor. 



" The tanks are generally sunk below the level of the ground, and 

 have the sides built of brick, and the bottom paved : they are of various 

 dimensions, according to the number of cows and horses on the farm. 

 Attached to the distilleries, where many beasts are constantly kept to 

 consume the refuse wash, there are very large urine-tanks, of an oblong 

 shape, divided by partitions into different chambers, so that the liquor 

 may be of the proper age when it is used, which some farmers think 

 ought to be six months.* Each chamber is about 8 feet square and 

 6 or 8 feet deep : these are sometimes vaulted over, but frequently 

 only covered with loose boards. As urine and the emptyings of privies 

 are sold wholesale and retail, there are many large tanks near the rivers 

 and canals, where the dealers have sometimes great quantities in store. 

 Some of these consist of many square pits like tan-pits, bricked round, 

 and the inside covered with a cement, which prevents loss by fiUration. 

 There is generally in a corner of each pit a graduated scale, by which 

 the number of barrels, or tons of liquid in the tank may be ascertained, 

 by observing the height of the surface. These tanks are gradually filled 

 by boat-loads brought from the large towns; and when the season 

 arrives for sowing, in spring and autumn, the farmers come with their 

 carts and tubs, and purchase as much as they may want. The price 

 varies from three to hve francs (2.^. 6d. to 4,?.) per hogshead, according 

 to the quality. In a small farm of 30 to 40 acres the tank is generally 

 about 20 feet long, 12 wide, and 6 deep, with a partition in the middle. 



* But this depends on the season of the year and other circumstances, 

 as will be seen below. 



