Exp. VI. by Mr J. Broadbent of Berwick, in Elmet near Leeds. "On the first of October 1771, I sowed two acres of a light channelly soil with wheat, and harrowed in the compost with the grain. Being at a considerable distance from a large town, we find it very difficult and expensive to procure rotten dung in sufficient quantity for our tillage lands, for which reason we have recourse to land dressings both for our winter and spring-corn. Rape-dust and foot are principally used; but the present price of both these articles is a heavy tax upon the farmer. To obviate that inconvenience, I resolved to make trial of the oil-compost; and from what I have observed in this one experiment, I am encouraged to make a more extensive use of it the next year. Being well acquainted with the nature and efficacy of foot, I am satisfied, that the above two acres produced as good a crop of wheat as if they had been dressed with that excellent manure."
On the supposition that vegetables are supported by matters of a saline nature, composts formed of different sorts of salts have been contrived, but with less success than the one above treated of. A famous composition of this kind, was lately sold by patent, under the name of Baron Van Haak's compost. The following experiment is mentioned in the Georgical Essays, as made with a view to determine the virtues of it compared with the oil-compost and foot mixed with ashes. "In the beginning of April 1773, an acre of land was sown with forward oats. I pitched upon one land in the middle of the piece, which I esteemed better than any of the rest, and upon this I scattered Baron Van Haak's compost, in the quantity directed in his instructions. On one side I manured a land with the oil-compost, but rather with a less quantity than directed; and, on the other side, I manured two lands with
Compost. with dry coal-ashes sifted fine, and an equal quantity of foot. The lands upon which this experiment was made, were much worn out with a long succession of crops. The lands which had the benefit of the ashes and foot, produced an exceeding fine crop; the oil-compost produced a tolerable good one; but that which had only the assistance of the baron's compost, produced a very poor one. It could not have been worse had it been left destitute of every assistance."
Composts, made with putrefied animal substances, will no doubt answer much better, in most cases, than any other kind of manure, but they are difficult to be procured. The following is recommended by Dr Hunter of York.—"Take a sufficient quantity of sawdust, incorporate it with the blood and offal of a slaughter-house, putting a layer of one and a layer of the other till the whole becomes a moist and fetid composition. Two loads of this compost, mixed with three loads of earth, will be sufficient for an acre of wheat, or spring-corn. Being a kind of top-dressing, it should be put on at the time of sowing, and harrowed in with the grain. The present year I have a field of wheat manured in this manner, and have the pleasure to say, that it is extremely clean, and has all the appearance of turning out an excellent crop. As this kind of compost lies in a small compass, it seems well adapted for the use of such farmers as are obliged to bring their manures from a distance. It is besides extremely rich, and will probably continue in the land much longer than fold-yard or stable-dung. I apprehend that it is capable of restoring worn out land to its original freshness; and I am induced to be of that opinion, from the appearance of the above crop, which is now growing upon land much impoverished by bad management."
Another compost, prepared from whales flesh, is recommended by Mr Charles Chaloner.—"I have a particular pleasure, (says he), in describing and making public the best method of forming a compost from whales flesh, as recommended to me by Dr Hunter. Having marked out the length and breadth of your intended dung-hill, make the first layer of earth about a foot in thickness. Moor-earth, or such as is taken from anthills, is the best for this purpose. Over the earth, lay one layer of long litter, from the fold-yard or stable, about 12 inches in thickness, then a layer of whale-flesh, and over that another layer of dung. Repeat the operations till the heap be raised about six feet, then give it a thick covering of earth, and coat the heap with sods. In this manner each layer of flesh will be placed between two layers of dung. In about a month turn the whole in the usual manner, which will occasion a strong degree of heat and fermentation. When turned, coat with earth as before, with a view to confine the putrid steam which would otherwise escape. In a month or two the heap will be found to be considerably fallen, when it should have a second turning as before. The operation of turning must be repeated at proper intervals, till the whole becomes an uniformly putrid mass. The whale-flesh is of different degrees of firmness, some of it being almost liquid; and, in proportion to its firmness, the heap will become sooner or later fit for use. In general, the compost should not be used till 12 months old; but that de-
depends upon circumstances. Guard the heap from dogs, pigs, badgers, and vermin, as these animals are remarkably fond of whale-flesh. This animal-compost may with great advantage be applied to all purposes where good rotten dung is required. I have used it with great success for cabbages, and find it an excellent dressing for meadow-ground. According to the best computation, one hoghead of whale refuse, will make eight loads of dung, which, when we consider the great facility with which this basis of our dung-hill may be carried, is a momentous concern to such farmers as lie remote from a large town." See MANURE.
Compost in gardening, is a mixture of several earths, earthy substances, and dungs, either for the improvement of the general soil of a garden, or that of some particular plants. Almost every plant delights in some peculiar mixture of soils or compost, in which it will thrive better than in others. The most remarkable and generally useful of these, are taken notice of under the description of the several botanical articles, as they occur in the order of the alphabet.