The Application of the Manure of the Farm. 
349 
lating action crops of unparalleled weight and quality ; and 
upon grass land most satisfactory results have been produced. 
It has also been applied to corn-crops successfully, but great 
care is here necessary, for if the land is naturally disposed to 
a large growth of straw, there will be considerable danger in its 
use. There are many soils (to which 1 have before made re- 
ference) from which there is sure to be a good yield of corn, 
j)rovided there is straw enough ; upon such as these this straw- 
producing manure will be suitable. It must not be looked upon 
as a direct stimulant for increasing the production of corn (for its 
immediate tendency is rather to encourage a growth of grassy 
herbage, and therefore of straw), but it may be taken advantage 
of indirectly to encourage the production of corn as in the 
instance named. 
The best time for applying liquid-manure is during the period 
of the crop's growth, and especially in the earliest stages. 
Moisture and nourishment added to the land during either of 
those months of the year in which the climate favours a rapid 
growth, may be relied upon as being valuable assistance for 
increasing the crop. The more active the disposition for growth 
the more welcome will these supplies prove, and consequently 
we find the use of liquid-manure (if properly diluted) is most 
efficacious in the summer, when the energies of the plant are 
most active, the supply of moisture most grateful, and the 
nourishment of the manure most needed for the structure of the 
growing crop. Some discretion, however, is necessary in select- 
ing the proper time for its application. If we observe the 
natural supplies of moisture in the form of rain, we see ine 
plant in some degree prepared for it, by a moist atmosphere, 
and a cloudy sky : hence, in applying liquid-manure, we should 
as far as possible imitate this example, and avoid the scorching 
rays of the sun by reserving our supply until the cool and moist 
hours of evening are approaching. This precaution is less 
necessai'y when the ground has just been mown, but even then 
it is desirable. Although, as I have stated, liquid-manure may 
be applied to the best advantage when the powers of vegetation 
are in full activity, its employment in the winter may not always 
be objectionable if there is an abundant supply, but it must be 
remembered that it is not every soil which can derive benefit 
from its use. Sandy soils, for example, which have but weak 
powers for the preservation of manure, derive little advantage 
except during the period of vegetation, but this objection does 
not apply to soils of a more retentive character. 
Queen's College, Birmingham. 
2 B 2 
