CHAPTER XXIV 



THE HOLSTEIN MILK MACHINE 



DURING the month of March the teams hauled 

 more gravel. They also distributed the manure 

 that had been purchased in the fall for mulching 

 the trees. While the ground was still frozen this 

 mulch was placed near the trees, to be used as 

 soon as the sun had warmed the earth. The 

 mound of dirt at the base of each tree was of 

 course levelled down before this dressing was 

 applied. I never afterward purchased stable or 

 stock-yard manure, though I could often have 

 used it to advantage ; for I did not think it safe 

 to purchase this kind of fertilizer for a farm where 

 large numbers of animals are kept. The danger 

 from infection is too great. Large quantities of 

 barnyard manure were furnished yearly out of my 

 own pits, and I supplemented it with a good 

 deal of the commercial variety. I try to turn 

 back to the land each year more than I take 

 from it, but I do not dare to go to a stock-yard for 

 any part of my supply. It was not until I had 

 mentally established a quarantine for my hogs 

 that I realized the danger from those six car- 

 loads of manure ; and I promised myself then 



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