MANURE DISTRIBUTORS The application of dung and mineral substances (chalk, marl, sea-sand) as fertilizers at various stages of the operations of culti vation is of very ancient origin. Except in those cases in which animals were fed off or folded on the land it was necessary to cart the manure, pile it in heaps on the field and distribute it by hand. These practices are still common. But with the recognition of the value of liquid manure and the extended use of "artificial" fer tilizers, devices have been increasingly employed for economizing labour and for securing uniform distribution of the fertilizer. Liquid manure carts should be made of steel or iron plate (wood is unsuitable) and the axle should pass right across the vehicle. A pump should be provided for filling the tank and a valve for regu lating the outflow of the liquid. The simplest form of distributor is a trough extending the full width of the cart with a continuous slit running along the rearward side. Farmyard manure or dung spreaders are of American origin and are based on the f our wheeled wagon in common use in that country. The distributing mechanism consists of a travelling apron or endless belt at the bottom of the wagon to carry the dung to the rearward end where a beater attachment disintegrates it and throws it on to the land. These implements are not likely to work successfully unless the manure is well rotted. Artificial manure or fertilizer distributors should be able to distribute all the common fertilizers uniformly whether the dressings are heavy or light and should be easy to clean, while the working pads must be able to resist the corrosive action of certain fertilizers. The various kinds of distributors differ mainly in the method adopted for distributing the manure. All have a hopper for carrying fertilizers and are usually mounted on two wheels. Distribution may be effected by a roller at the bottom of the hopper which revolves so as to work the manure out backwards as the machine advances; by agitators placed over holes in the hopper bottom; by an endless chain with projecting fingers which travels across the hopper bottom, or by rotating fingers of various kinds placed at the bottom of the hopper so as to work out the manure as the machine advances. In these types the manure falls more or less straight to the ground and is dis tributed over the width of the machine. Another type with a nar row wheel-base has a tub-shaped hopper and utilizes a centrifugal device for distributing the manure which in this case is spread over a strip much wider than the wheel tracks. Even distribution with this machine can only be effected in calm weather. Artificial manures must be in a uniform and dry condition to be distributed satisfactorily by mechanical means and care must be taken to see that these requirements are fulfilled before the material is put in the machine.