[14] 



who attempt to enter upon this measure of reform, too frequently sto 

 half way allowing, e. g., their cattle to run at large, after having fe 

 them on the produce of the farm ; and thus scatter abroad on a mise: 

 able woods pasture, the manure that should have been faithfully r( 

 turned to the cultivated soil. We cling tenaciously to the habit c 

 letting our cattle range in the woods, when what they actually get in 

 the way of pasture is not worth half the annual cost of keeping up 

 fences, in the greater portion of the State. The abatement of the 

 fence nuisance is one of the most pressing measures of reform in the 

 more thickly settled portions of the State ; yet while many a farmer 

 pays his State tax several times over in fence repairs, he will protest 

 loudly against the infringement upon his rights, that would exclude 

 his cattle from trespassing upon the land of others, or upon the public 

 domain. 



Few are aware how small an area, well cultivated, will green-soil 

 stock ; saving their manure, and improving their condition in every 

 way. Again, how can improved breeds of cattle be maintained, if 

 allowed to range all the year with all manner of scrub-stock? 



OUR MARLS AND GREENSANDS. 



Next in importance to the preservation and use of manure, is the 

 utilization of the natural manures found in the State. Of these we 

 have a great abundance, and they will greatly help us to redeem our 

 lands from the consequences of maltreatment it has undergone hereto 

 fore. 



(Here the speaker exhibited a map showing the marl and greensand 

 regions of the State.) 



Here, in the north-eastern portion of the State, is the Pontotoe 

 Ilidge, extending from the Tennessee line to Houston, with an average 

 width of twelve miles. The body of its hills consists largely of green- 

 yand marls, at many points fully equal to those of New Jersey ; alter 

 nating with strata of limestone which will, on burning, yield an article 

 of lime worth twice as much for agricultural purposes, as any of the 

 imported article. 



Alongside is the prairie region proper, which the Rotten Limestone 

 underlies everywhere. While not equal to the rock of the Pontotoe 

 Ridge for agricultural use, it will nevertheless, when burnt, be still 

 more valuable as a fertilizer than imported lime; and where it will 

 crumble rendily, produces a fine effect even in the raw condition, as a 

 marl. It offers a most ready means of rendering available for profita- 



