1882.] FARM LIFE. 291 



those meadows were covered with rocks, stone, and trees, much 

 worse than yours are. Do you see those long lines of stone-will 

 surrounding the fields in every direction, one thousand rods of 

 which you can see ? All were built in one year. And in these 

 three large barns you see every creature I keep has neat and com- 

 fortable quarters. These barns pay fifteen per cent. ; the mowing 

 machine pays fifteen per cent. ; the stone-walls save twenty' per 

 cent, in chasing unruly cattle." The man replied, " If I should 

 lay out my money so I should never get it back again." I said to 

 him, "1 never wish to get it back. I have only a short time to 

 stay on the earth, and then I can take it with me just as well as 

 you can your money." 



This would teach us not to follow extremes in either direction; 

 and we should never get a hobby of our own and ride it to tke 

 disgust of our intelligent neighbors. If they are not luillfully 

 blind they will notice our improvements by @ur better crops and 

 management, if we truly have them; but many times we are mis- 

 taken in our notions, and they know it. But there is one thing 

 that none can be mistaken about; and that is, to make all the 

 manure on the farm that we possibly can. We may differ about 

 the way to do it, but the amount, never. We must have it. The 

 barn-yard is of more importance in farm economy than the house- 

 yard, because out of it are the issues of crops. All animal and 

 vegetable wastes of the farm should be composted ; gather up all 

 the fragments, that nothing be lost — leaves, straw, turf, soil, muck, 

 all should have a place in farm economy. Muck is of the most 

 doubtful utility, unless thoroiighly dried and used for an absorbent 

 only — then it pays. There may be a difference of opinion how to 

 apply the compost when made ; and that is of as much importance 

 as to make it. The old time-honored practice of burying manure in 

 the bottom of a deep furrow is not my practice. My land does net 

 leach upward. A thorough mixture with the surface soil will give 

 the best results ninety times in a hundred. I am aware that many 

 even in these latter days do not see the point, and they have a right 

 to their opinion if they can afford it. I never attempt to disturb 

 any man's opinion about farming, politics, or religion. If true 

 farm economy is carried out. New England is as good a place to 

 own a farm as any. West or South. We have schools and 

 churches, wood and water, and healthful breezes; and as the 

 Southerner says, " them Yankees always have money." 



We often hear young men saying, " There is not room on the 



