It is therefore recommended, upon every clay-land farm, especially those of considerable size, that the fold yard be frequently cleared ; and that the greatest care be taken to mix the stable or horse dung in a regular way with what is gathered in the fold-yard, or made by other animals, in order that a gradual heat or fermentation may be speedily produced. Where the materials are of the sorts now described, (that is, a small quantity of dung, or excrementitious matter, and a large store of unrotten straw, only partially moistened,) no damage can ensue from putting horses and carts upon the heap ; nay, a positive benefit will be gained from this slight com pression. At the same time, we are aware, that the sentiments of many able and judicious farmers are dif ferent on this point; it being their opinion, that the natural pressure of the materials is quite sufficient, and that any additional pressure is accompanied with inju rious consequences. We arc, however, satisfied, that such ideas are unfounded ; having tried both methods upon all extensive scale, and, from the results, we feel ourselves justified in recommending the above mode of management. Perhaps this difference of sentiment may arise from not attending to the very different qualities of dung on different farms; for the propriety of abstaining from putting horses and carts upon such heaps or piles, containing materials which can be called dung, even though it may be in an unripe state, is already allowed. It is contended, however, that no injury is sustained from slightly compressing a mass of rough materials; nay, that such is attended with beneficial effects ; for, if the materials were laid up with a fork, or a grape, as recom mended in the case of turnip or half rotten dung, the small portion of moisture therein contained would speedily be wasted or evaporated ; a circumstance which often occurs, especially when dry weather succeeds the period when the heap is made up. Besides, driving a one horse cart over a surface of materials only one stage re moved from the condition of dry straw, will never pre vent fermentation. If left in the fold-yard, the constant treading of the cattle therein confined, and the daily increased weight of the heap, may undoubtedly pro duce that evil ; but this is effectually prevented, by fre quent removals, especially if rainy weather prevails at the time. Few objects deserve to be 11101T attended to by every farmer who studies his own in terest.
The heap or pile, as already recommended, in the ens( of turnip dung, should be formed in a secluded spot, ii such can be got at hand ; because the less it is exposed to the influence of the sun and wind, so much faster will fermentation proceed. It should be consti acted on a broad basis, which lessens the bounds of the extremi ties; and several separate heaps are necessary, so Wad too much may not be deposited at and which, to a cer tain extent, would bring on the very evil we have all along been endeavouring to avert. By shifting the scene frequently, and allotting each covering or coat to settle and ferment, before laying on any more, the most effects will follow, and these heaps (at least all such as are completed before the first of Al ay,) may reasonabl) be expected to be in a lit condition for applying to the summer tallow field's, in the end of July, or first of Au gust. If the external parts get dry at any time during
the process, it will be proper to water them thoroughly, and in many cases to turn over the heap completely. It may be added, that much benefit has been experienced from laying a thick coating of snow upon such heaps, as, by the gradual melting thereof, the whole moisture is absorbed, and a strong fermentation immediately fol lows.
The same method of management may be continued during the summer months, so far as circumstances per mit, though it rarely happens that dung collected at this advanced period is tit for use in the same season, unless it be such as is made by keeping horses and cat tle in the house upon green food. Perhaps, as a gene ral principle, it is proper to thrash out all grain before summer arrives, (a small quantity for litter and other necessary purposes excepted,) in order that the full var lue of the raw materials when converted into manure, may be gained. Straw thrashed in the summer months always wants a good deal of its original strength ; it is broken and hashed by the mills ; therefore a large por tient must at once be thrown to the fold-yard, where its strength is still more exhausted and dissipated. Even when stacked carefully, it will be found next winter to produce much less bulk of dung, than if it had been used at the proper time ; and interest of the amount for one year is lost ;—all which things, added together, will be found equal to one half of the original worth.
Upon large farms, where the management of manure is sufficiently understood and practised, it is an impor tant matter to have dunghills of all ages, and ready for use whenever the situation of a field calls for a restora tive. No method of application to clay soils, however, is so beneficial as during the year of summer fallow. though, in such situations, a greater stock of manure is often gathered than is required for the fields under process.
After all, it must be acknowledged, that, under every exertion, it seldom happens that dung on clay farms, where turnips are not grown, can be so well prepared as upon those employed in the culture of that beneficial root. This has induced many farmers to cross nat :re. and attempt the cultivation of turnips, upon soils phy sically unfit for producing them with ach antage ; and perhaps much money has been lost in carrying sue.: schemes into execution. Perhaps a clay-land farmer had better submit to all the disadvantages accompanying the preparation of manure in his particular situation.
than try to get tree Of them by the culture of turnips. It is a consolatory circumstance, however, that clay soils have it good digestion; they arc not so nice in their lood as gravels and sands, requiring only a good belly full, and frequent meals. It likewise desen es at tention, that dung applied to it clay fallow at the cud of summer, has full time to incorporate N1 ith the ground, betore the crop, sown thereupon, stands much in want of its invigorating support; consequently, though of apparent inferior quality at the time of application, may, in reality, be possessed of equal powers tor fructifying The ground, as if it had reached a higher state of pi e paration.