Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Supplement/Dung

DUNG.—The quality of the dung of different animals depends in a great measure on the richness, or poverty, of their food. Thus, if cattle be fed on lint, rape, or other oily seeds, it will be of the most fertilizing nature: the dung obtained from those kept on oil-cake, is next in value; then succeeds the manure produced from animals subsisting on turnips, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, or other succulent roots; next in effect, is that resulting from the best hay; after which follows that of cattle supplied with ordinary hay; and the poorest is that obtained from straw.—It deserves to be remarked, that the dung of fat animals is unquestionably richer, and consequently contributes more to fertilization, than that of lean creatures; which, if worked hard, and fed on straw, " is poor indeed."

In the county of Middlesex, where all the produce of land is sold at very high prices in the markets of the metropolis, the soil is kept in good heart, by the immense quantities of dung which are brought in the carts on their return; because no cattle, though fed in home-stalls, can produce so large a supply. But, in counties that are more remote from London, the most effectual mode of manuring, in the opinion of Mr. Middleton, consists in raising green crops, for the purpose of feeding sheep and bullocks on the land. This, says he, is the only method, by which the loss of nearly all their urine can be prevented: for there is a great waste, equal perhaps to one-half, in the stables, cow-houses, sheds, fold-yards, and dung-hills of farms, even though conducted in the most careful manner; but, in those which are under ordinary management, such loss amounts to three-fourths; whereas no waste can possibly arise, when cattle are soiled on tares, clover, &c. in the field; the whole being immediately applied to the amelioration of the land, without incurring the expence of conveyance.—We do not pretend to decide on the practicability of this plan; which, in many situations, may be applicable to a considerable extent, and attended with great advantages: on the other hand, we are firmly persuaded, nay convinced from the experience of able and successful farmers on the Continent, that stall-feeding, with cut hay and straw, is the greatest of all improvements made in modern husbandry.