BONES PHOSPHATES GUANO. 123 



as he might, observing closely and recording carefully 

 the results, we should soon have a mass of facts and 

 results, wherefrom deductions might be drawn of 

 signal practical value to the present and to future 

 generations. 



I firmly believe that great results of signal benefi- 

 cence are to be slowly but surely achieved by means 

 of the household convenience known as the Earth- 

 Closet, and by kindred devices for rendering inoffen- 

 sive and utilizing the most powerful fertilizer pro- 

 duced on every farm and in every household. That 

 is a vulgar squeamishness which leaves it to poison 

 the atmosphere and offend the senses on the 

 assumption that it -is too noisome to be dealt with or 

 utilized. A true refinement counsels that it be daily 

 covered, and its odor absorbed or suppressed by earth, 

 or muck, or ashes, and thus prepared for removal to 

 and incorporation with the soil. It is far within the 

 truth to estimate our National loss by the waste of 

 this material at $1 per head, or $40,000,000 in all 

 per annum : a waste which is steadily diminishing 

 the productive capacity of our soil. This cannot, 

 must not, be allowed to continue. We must devise 

 or adopt some mode of securing and applying this 

 powerful fertilizer ; and I defer to that which is al- 

 ready in extensive and daily expanding use. Let 

 whoever can do better ; but meantime let us welcome 

 and diffuse the Earth Closet. 



