MANURES. YOUNG STOCK. 247 



subsoil, a sufficient quantity of absorbents to mix with 

 the materials in the barn cellar. 



888. A compost may be formed of bones, ashes, old 

 mortar, dead animal matter, loam, scrapings from the road 

 side, and many other things worth saving, and if the run 

 from the sink-spout and the water from the wash tubs, 

 could be directed upon such a compost, a large amount 

 of valuable manure might be added in the course of the 

 year, to that now made on most farms. 



889. The most direct method of increasing the fertility 

 of the farm, is the keeping of a great number of cattle, 

 feeding them well, and supplying a great deal of litter. 

 With an abundance of grass, the farmer can keep more 

 cattle ; with well fed cattle he has more manure, and with 

 this he can increase his crops. But it should be remem 

 bered that no more stock ought to be kept than can be 

 well fed. 



890. If a farm is to be stocked to its utmost capacity, 

 green fodder should be cultivated, and it will be found 

 advantageous to devote a considerable space to corn, to be 

 cut up and fed green, and to clover and root crops. If 

 the stock are kept in the barn or in small lots near at 

 hand, the manure may be saved and increased by adding 

 loam and other materials, while the outlands may be kept 

 in grass and made to produce abundant crops by means 

 of liberal top dressings. 



891. The losses arising from wintering stock poorly, 

 and from injudicious feeding in general, are vastly greater 

 than most people suppose. Even where working and 

 fattening cattle are well sheltered and well fed, young 

 stock often have but little shelter, with coarse swale hay 

 or straw to eat, and are left to take care of themselves. 

 Young animals should be kept growing rapidly, so as to 



