104 MR. JOHN JUST ON FAULTS IN FARMING. 



lity to gangrene and caries, which have been so rife for some 

 years past. The potato wants alkaline and carbonaceous 

 elements. Hence the great effect of ashes in which potash 

 abounds, either in a free state or in combination. We may 

 likewise refer the extraordinary produce of the potato on 

 turfy ground, whereon the sward has been burnt for tillage, 

 to the conjoint action of the alkaline and carbonaceous ele- 

 ments. The disease also, though not totally prevented 

 on such grounds, has generally been less virulent there than 

 on others, owing to these favourable conditions. 



The wanton waste of the manures in farm-yards, and the 

 faults so common in their application, lie wholly charge- 

 able to the mismanagement of the farmer. There is another 

 quite as bad, however, over which he has no control; and 

 that is, the complete waste of the manures from the sinks 

 and sewerage of our populous towns. The animal returns 

 to the soil all that is unfit to appropriate to its own system. 

 And so does man. The excrement of the former is food 

 again for vegetation, and so is that of the latter. And not 

 only so; but all vegetable refuse and animal waste is equally 

 beneficial with the faeces of either. The drainage from our 

 towns contains immense quantities of all these, which are 

 carried away into the adjoining river as worthless material ; 

 the so-called sanitary condition of the towns being urged 

 as a necessity for its entire removal. 



Freedom from filth, and a free circulation of the pure air 

 from the country through every avenue of our crowded 

 towns, are essential conditions of health to the communities, 

 and need no argument nor proof. Still, the situation of most 

 of our towns is such as to admit of all the drainage being 

 conveyed in covered conduits to suitable distances, and 

 there amassed in large covered cesspools, for the benefit 

 of agriculture. No injury could arise from such an ex- 

 pedient; no curse, but a blessing. For surely such accumu- 

 lations of filth thus constantly kept out of contact with the cir- 



