188 ANNUAL REPORT 



time to do everythiug. But the time has now arrived, and if I am not 

 greatly mistaken, necessity will settle the question before long, as to 

 the sanitary condition and the course to be taken. I believe it is all 

 wrong to adulterate the waters of this river that our neighbors of 

 even St. Paul or below should be injured thereby. But up to this 

 time there has been no way to avoid it. I believe that all the manure 

 of whatever kind can be used within a circuit of a few miles around 

 this city, to very great profit, and the city be benefitted thereby in 

 every respect. Of course the first consideration is that of public 

 health. 



Mr. Cleveland has referred to winter cholera. I would state that 

 my wife is a very particular person; she believes the freezing of water 

 purifies it to a certain extent, and she uses no tea or coffee except from 

 melted ice. I can't exactly see how it has any effect, but she still in- 

 sists that it is the best way and I do not object to it. She would have 

 her way, you know, anyhow, Colonel, and I am glad I am not alone, 

 [Laughter.] This is true, however, there has been no member of our 

 family afflicted with the disease this winter; there may be something 

 in it. 



In regard to fertilizing a garden I have had some experience, as I 

 have a small one. You may have been by it several times. 



President Elliot. It is a good one. 



Mr. Hale. I do know that I nevpr had success in gardening in the 

 past ten or fifteen years without manure. The great trouble with the 

 people in this northwestern country is they try to get over four 

 times as much ground as they can take care of properly. The profits 

 of the farmer would be increased vastly if a great deal more manure 

 were used per acre. 



I have three-eighths of an acre in my garden and the buildings occupy 

 a portion, but 1 raise more garden vegetables of all kinds on the por- 

 tion devoted to that purpose — three or four times as much as my family 

 -consumes. Every year my milkman draws me three or four loads of 

 manure which is used on the land. One year it was a little too heavy 

 and not thoroughly mixed. But the point I am driving at is that the 

 fertilizing material of this city can be profitably used in the surround- 

 ing country here and our citizens and the farmers mutually bene- 

 fitted. 



I have been interested in and gratified to see the agitation in regard 

 to this matter by the local society here; I hope the question will be 

 pressed and some means devised for the disposition of all this waste 

 material. I believe in thoroughly manuring the soil. I never had 



