No. 105.J 175 



deserving of all the consideration that the farmer can bestow upon 

 this part of his most important vocation. All created things are so 

 constituted that the perfect development of one almost necessarily 

 involves the destruction of its predecessor. This is most empha- 

 tically the case with the long list of vegetable productions given 

 us by the Almighty. The death and decay of the one affords 

 the aliment for the growth and development of its successor, and its 

 perfection is much aided by the application of the decayed remains 

 of the former ; and the series by carrying out the rule instead of be- 

 coming more and more degenerate is only rendered more vigorous 

 and healthy. Manure, it is generally understood, is the organic re- 

 mains of what has constituted vegetable life. Its application in this 

 state to the germinating seeds and quickly absorbing roots stimulates 

 the tender plant to put forth all its powers for growth and matu- 

 rity. That this is a law of creation, is dictated alike by reading, 

 reflecttion and observation. Men cannot violate this law with- 

 out loss, nor act upon it without remuneration. Such being the 

 case, what then becomes our duty 1 Why, to use all our efforts 

 to make or gather so much of this valuable treasure as we can 

 possibly consume. Not to be content with the foecal discharges 

 of our cattle, collected in our barn-yards alone but to use as 

 much time as is consistent with our other farming duties in col- 

 lecting all else that will contribute to its increase. Providence 

 has not stinted us to the use only of one kind of manure, but in his 

 wise dispensation he has enlarged the field from which it may be 

 gathered, almost " ad injinitum^'' and made the supply almost ex- 

 haustless. Indeed, he has done more ; he has made the supply the 

 more abundant, the greater the demand, leaving it to the industry of 

 man alone to make it commensurate to his wants. Within a few 

 years the substances used for it have increased to a great extent, and 

 instead of being confined now only to the supply of the barn-yard, it 

 shows us in its catalogue quite an extended variety. But the great 

 source of dependence for the farmer is his barn-yard, and effort on 

 his part will add much to increase its quantity. Indeed, if he does 

 but proportion his stock to the productions of his farm, he has it in 

 his power constantly to increase its fertility. He must not be con- 

 tent with the gatherings of his stables and cattle yards. He must 

 use abundance of litter — draw in the muck, leaves, scrapings of 



