12 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 



forming altogether a tide, which, if properly directed, 

 would increase the produce of Great Britain tenfold, 



It is impossible to suppose that any farmer, having lost 

 a few sovereigns from a hole in his pocket, would not 

 have it carefully secured before he again risked his money. 

 Yet there is scarcely one through whose premises that tide 

 of wealth, which I have endeavoured to describe, does not 

 escape. In the direct loss of a few sovereigns, the extent 

 of the misfortune is ascertained ; but no calculation can 

 be made of the indirect losses through the above waste. 

 To counteract the effects of this error, our leading agricul- 

 turists vainly resort to foreign cattle-food and manure ; 

 while the scanty crops of the less enterprising too truly 

 evince the folly of applying compost like salt that has 

 " lost its savour," and " is fit neither for the land, nor yet 

 for the dunghill." 



It will be seen from the descriptions and plans of the 

 cattle-boxes, that no escape of manure or admission of 

 water can take place ; and that the animal deposit being 

 absorbed by straw, or, if necessary, by dry mould, sand, 

 clay, road-dust, &c., &c., is, after five, six, or more weeks, 

 carted away, mixed with mould, and when required put 

 upon the land, thus becoming the salt of the earth. 



If so much can be said on the subject of manure, how 

 much more could be advanced with respect to the waste 

 and economy of cattle food ! I refer especially to grass ; 

 an acre of which I have shown would maintain three bul- 

 locks, at least, in the place of one, wherever my box-feed- 

 ing system is in operation. Those who admit the correct- 

 ness of my strictures upon the injury to manure by rain 

 in winter, will readily acknowledge the same by the sun 

 in summer ; an injury that would be avoided by consum- 



