JOURNAL 
OK THE 
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 
OF ENGLAND. 
I. — On the Economical Application of the Liquid Manure of a 
Farm. By James T. Blackburn. 
The saving; and application of liquid manure has for some years 
past been the subject of mucli discussion, and I believe that next 
to the first principles of good cultivation, there are few subjects 
so important to the progress of agriculture as the consideration of 
its efficient and economical distribution. On several farms in 
England and Scotland arrangements have been made for that 
pui'pose, but they have not all met with that success which 
should follow from the recognition and adoption of correct prin- 
ciples. Doubtless many are deterred from adopting the system 
of pipe distribution by the reports which have been widely cir- 
culated, that on those farms where it was carried on, although 
the crops raised were very large, the pecuniary success was but 
partial, whilst among the hundreds who visited and inspected 
the operations, few have cared to investigate the matter for them- 
selves, or to ascertain whether the result was due to an error in 
principle, or to the want of skill and judgment in carrying out 
that principle. The liquid portion of manure has been con- 
sidered by many to be the most valuable, and yet it has been the 
most generally wasted ; until lately the farmer has often com- 
placently given his yearly cheque for large quantities of guano 
and other concentrated manures, whilst he was making no efforts 
to prevent the escape of a fertilizer which would have enabled 
him to dispense in some measure with those expensive adjuncts. 
There are not many who have given attention to the subject of 
liquid manure, but have discovered that, to insure success, other 
appliances more powerful and effectual than the horse and cart 
must be resorted to. The dilution necessary to the complete 
development of its advantages renders that plan unsatisfactory on 
the score of expense ; pipes and pressure therefore at once suggest 
themselves as the most economical means of conveyance from the 
tank to the field. 
Although it may not bo worth while to put up an engine for 
VOL. XXIII. B 
