CHAPTER X 



THE ADVANTAGES FROM CAPITAL 



WE have seen what a worker with very little money can 

 do and how he can succeed. A small capital, however, can 

 be used to increase the returns to as great advantage on a 

 small farm as large capital can be used on a large farm and 

 with much less risk. 



Stable manure is still the favorite article with the masses 

 of gardeners. One ton of ordinary stable manure contains 

 about 1275 pounds of organic matter, carrying eight pounds 

 of nitrogen, ten pounds of potash, and four pounds of phos- 

 phoric acid. 



When thoroughly rotted, the manure acquires a still larger 

 percentage of plant food ; it is more valuable, not only for 

 that reason, but also on account of its immediate avail- 

 ability. Further, the mechanical effect of this manure 

 in opening and loosening the soil, allowing air and warmth 

 to enter more freely, adds greatly to its value. 



It is easily gotten and often goes wholly or in part to 

 waste. On the outskirts of some towns may be seen a col- 

 lection of manure piles that have been hauled out and dumped 

 in waste places. The plant food in each ton of this manure 

 is worth at least two dollars that is the least Eastern 

 farmers pay for similar material, and they make money 

 doing it. Yet almost every liveryman has to pay some one 

 for hauling the manure away. This is simply because farmers 



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