246 THE ECONOMY OF THE FARM. 



882. After expending time and labor, both of which 

 have a distinct money value, in ploughing and planting, 

 none can doubt that it is good economy, after the crops 

 are well started, to guard them carefully against their 

 various enemies, and to give the additional time and labor 

 necessary for this purpose. 



883. After corn is up, for instance, it is worth while to 

 protect it from birds and insects. So it is time well spent 

 to examine every hill once in every three or four days 

 till it is well grown, to arrest the work of the cut worm, 

 found at the root of many a plant. If taken in season, 

 he can do little injury. The plant will give a sure 

 indication of his presence before it is entirely cut off and 

 destroyed. It is important also to examine the trees of 

 the orchard, and dig out the borer. 



884. Great losses might be avoided, if a regular system 

 like this were adopted with regard to every crop. If it 

 is worth planting, it is surely worth the trouble of pro 

 tecting. 



885. The wastes of the farm are innumerable. Mention 

 has already been made of losses arising from badly arranged 

 and ill-constructed farm buildings, but perhaps the want of 

 economy and skill in the management of fertilizers, is a 

 source of greater loss than any thing else upon most farms. 



886. No matter what particular course of culture may 

 be adopted, it is only by the application of a sufficient 

 quantity of fertilizers, of the right quality, that the farmer 

 can keep up and increase the fertility of his land, and 

 cause it to produce more abundant crops every year. 



887. The utmost knowledge and skill should, therefore, 

 be directed to the increase and preservation of every thing 

 that can be turned to good account. Let nothing be 

 wasted. Draw from the muck bed, or from any retentive 



