( 225 ) 



X. — Turnip Manure. By E. Wagstaffe. 



Until 1844, I o^enerallj manured with 20 loads of farmyard 

 dung and 8 bushels of bones per Scotch acre. 



In 1844, instead of the 8 bushels of bones put in the drills 

 on the dung, at sowing time, I did as follows : — As soon as I 

 could get the dung into the field, in February or March, I calcu- 

 lated for every Scotch acre of land, 20 loads of dung, 63 lbs. of 

 vitriol, and 126 lbs. of bones, either dust or mixed drill. Thus: 

 I procured a few old treacle or oil casks, and put them by the 

 side of the dung-heap, — put 189 lbs. (19 gallons) of water into 

 one of the tubs, and to that 03 lbs. of vitriol ; — to this mixture I 

 put 126 lbs. of bones — one man (or 

 two) to let in the bones very slowly 

 out of a sack, another man stirring 

 the contents, as the bones fall in, as 

 fast as he can, with an implement like what they mash malt with 

 in brewing. 



Let this mixture stand two or three days, if a week so much the 

 better; stir it every day. Then put water to it til] you think you 

 have as much as 20 loads of dung will contain, without its run- 

 ning away to waste. Turn the dung over into a well-shaped 

 heap (or midden), and when turning it, to every layer of turned 

 dung, throw on this diluted liquid with cogs or pails. Shape up 

 the midden neatly, and put on a good covering of earth all over 

 it — rather more than the usual covering. 



A little practice will show how many acres can be mixed for in 

 each tub at one time, and before diluting this first mixture, a 

 certain portion of it may be put into a separate tub to be diluted, 

 remembering always to stir it well before lifting it into the se- 

 parate tub, and also before throwing it on the dung. 



The proportion of the first mixture to be, in weight, 3 waters, 

 1 vitriol, and 2 bones — whatever quantity you may wish to use to 

 an acre. A gallon of water is about 10 lbs. 



Comparative cost of the old way and new — 



Old way, in 1845, 20 loads of dung at 3^. Q^d. ... £3 10 0 



8 bushels of bones, at 35 14 0 



£4 14 0 



New way, same year, 20 loads of dung, at 3^. Q)d. £3 10 0 

 126 lbs. of bones, viz., 2f bush., at 3^. 0 8 3 

 63 lbs. of best vitriol, at Id. l-5th . 0 6 4 



4 4 7 



VOL. VIII. 



Saving per acre . , . £0 9 5 



Q 



