On making Compost Heaps, 



139 



any dung from the cattle-stalls ; the same occasion called my mind 

 to another matter well worthy every farmer's attention — I allude 

 to the great superiority of the manure raised in summer soiling to 

 that produced in the stalls during winter.* I verily believe the 

 difference is 50 per cent, unless stock are fed in a great measure 

 during winter with artificial food. In an arrangement for making 

 compost heaps from urine, I would recommend a receptacle to be 

 made at the back of the cattle-stalls just outside the building; this 

 should hold about 20 cart-loads of mould, or any other matters to 

 be employed; if its situation were a little lower than the cattle- 

 sheds all the urine would pass into it, and remain there until the 

 mass is completely saturated, which will be sufficient ; when the 

 earthy matters are covered over with it, the compost may then be 

 thrown out and the proceeding again renewed. In order to show 

 part of the benefits of this practice, I beg here to observe that the 

 most foul or weedy mould may be used ; the action of the urine, if 

 not reduced by water, is so powerful, that wire -worms, the black 

 slug, many other destroying insects, and all vegetables, weeds^, &c. 

 when in contact with the urine for a time are deprived of their 

 living functions. The situation for raising this' compost should 

 be protected from the weather by a covering similar to a cart- 

 shed ; indeed, the deteriorating influences of rain, sun, and arid 

 winds, on all putrescent manures or compost are so serious, that 

 in my humble judgment it would be worth while to have places 

 under cover where these are usually laid down. The ordinary 

 method of conveying manures on land admits of much improve- 

 ment. I am now preparing carriages and a moveable railway for 

 this purpose. Where compost is raised in the field, I am confi- 

 dent that I shall be able to effect a saving of 100 per cent, in 

 time, and also a very considerable one in expence : not having my 

 designs yet in actual operation, I cannot at present show any prac- 

 tical results. At no distant time this shall be the subject of 

 another paper. The system here alluded to I have in a forward 

 state of preparation (it being, in my opinion, so well adapted for 

 conveying help to land), also other matters for improving a defi- 

 cient texture. 



I beg to conclude this essay with some observations made 



* The strength and consequent value of all cattle-dung will of course 

 depend upon the nature of their food : if soiled, during the summer, upon 

 clovers, tares, sainfoin, &c. &c., there can be no doubt that the manure will 

 have a proportionately greater effect upon the land than if the beasts be kept 

 in the straw-yard ; and, if stall-fed, either in winter or summer, for the pur- 

 pose of fatting, it will be still better. Thus it was found, on comparing the 

 effects of dung voided by animals fed chiefly on oil-cake with that of store- 

 stock, 12 loads of the former exceeded in superiority of product 24 of the 

 latter. — See * The Complete Grazier,' sixth edit,, p. 103. — F. Burke. 



