346 The Application of the, Manni e of the Farm. 
tliciefoio I feel justified in stating that, under a judicious system 
of folding, we may safely anticipate an equal distribution of the 
manure, an increase in the number of stock which can be kept, 
the production of more manure, a considerable improvement in 
the quality of the food grown, and consequently a more valu- 
able manure. 
Another mode of enriching the land is by the system of night- 
folding — a practice which is extensively and advantageously 
carried out in some of the south and south-eastern counties of 
England. During the day the flocks graze over the downs, 
commf)ns, stubbles, or leys, and return at night to be folded upon 
land intended for corn or sometimes for roots. In some cases 
they are brought back to consume vetches, mustard, or roots ; but 
in either case the tillage-land gains manure at the cost of the 
rougher grazing-land. The shepherd should always take care to 
move his flock about gently in the fold for some time before 
turning them out for the day, as the sheep thus deposit their 
manure where it is wanted. 
Another form in which we have to deal with animal manures 
without straw is met with when stock are kept upon open sparred 
floors without bedding. Some dry material — such as peat char- 
coal, burnt clay, peat ashes, or the ashes of weeds — is generally 
mixed with such manure to facilitate its application by means of 
the drill. Some have imagined that the manure is injured by 
being mixed with fresh ashes : this may have arisen from the 
caustic condition of the alkalies contained in the ashes ; liut by 
exposure of the ashes to the air in a dry shed this would soon be 
overcome. This manure, being of very soluble character, is best 
adapted for application on light land, in moderate quantity, and 
in close connection with the seed. 
Liquid-Manure. 
This constitutes the third variety of animal manure without 
straw. It consists of the liquid excrements of the stock inter- 
mixed with more or less water ; but it is often distinguished as 
tank-water from the receptacles in which it is collected. So far 
as these tanks act as reservoirs for the drainage of liquid which 
would otherwise be lost, their value is unquestionable ; and there 
is scarcely a farm upon which the system may not be adopted 
with advantage. It has, however, in many cases been carried 
out to such an injurious extent, that it becomes 'important that 
some line should be drawn to indicate the limits of successful 
application. The rule upon which we may safely base our pro- 
ceedings is, that it is not desirable to separate the liquid Irom 
the solid portions of the manure where they can be used together. 
In the various modifications of the box or pit system, by which 
the liquid and solid portions of the manure are kept together, wt? 
