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place on the excrements of domestic animals, is not much differ-ent. The dung of cattle, when quickly dried, continues uncor-rupted, while it is kept so : even that of horses, which often fer-ments very quickly, if a new f-'len ball be completely dried, itis no less incorruptible. When these substances, before beingdried, are put in water, they gradually dissolve, till almost thewhole is a semi-liquid; but after being dried, they dissolve par-tially and with difficulty in w'ater. Is it being exposed to lightor oxygen, or both, which produces this alteration ? Similarchanges appear in the colour in different situations. When newfallen, the colour is a dull olive ; when kept wet, and smotheredin the mass, they become blackish ; when dried, and for sometime exposed to light and air, they harden, and whiten. Bywhatever agency these changes are effected, it is certain thatlong exposure injures the solubility.
Sth. When the mass is fermenting, if it be turned out and se-parated, the process of fermentation is quickly suspended ; andit is probable the hardening process commences soon after.
6th. When the solution of this composite is evaporated, andthe vapour collected, it is found to be clear and tasteless water,and the concrete residue again dissolves in water, and is in everyrespect the same as before evaporation. When the solution ispoured upon mould in a flower-pot, with an inch of clean washedsand at the bottom, the water, as it oozes away, may be receivedquite limpid at the lower aperture.
7th. Surface mould facilitates the decomposition of any partof fermenting dung with which it comes in contact; and by ex-citing the fermentation, a mild heat is produced.
If these aphorisms are just, they may assist in regulating theconduct of the husbandman in the preparation and applicationof dung ; and reference is meant to be made to them in whatfollows.
All kinds of w r eeds and inesculent herbage, from tillage andpasture fields, waysides, by the sides of fences, and whereverthey grow, should be gathered at, or before the time of flower-ing : The young succulent shoots of trees and shrubs, the leavesof trees shed in autumn, river and pond weeds, the grassy scour-ings of open drains and ditches, and every vegetable not other-ways useful, should be taken to augment the dunghill. To these,one subject, not much attended to, might make a considerableaugmentation. In lands occupied by repeated tillage crops, e-specially such as are friable and open, the triticum ripens, pottrivialis, agrostes, and some others, extend their roots everywherethrough the soil, an inextricable plexus, injuring every cultivatedcrop. These are generally known by the name of Quickens, orcouch grass roots. To free the soils of this nuisance, it is neces-sary frequently to turn out the roots by repeated operations ofthe plough and harrow, in a dry time. These roots have ben*