MANm^ES. 1G9 



In the foregoing remarks on the suhject of mineral 

 raanm-es, I have endeavored to point out such a 

 course as would result in the " greatest good to the 

 greatest number," and consequently, have neglected 

 much which might discourage the farmer with the 

 idea, that the whole system of scientific agriculture 

 is too expensive for his adoption. Still, while I have 

 confined my remarks to the more simple improve- 

 ments on the present system of management, I 

 would say briefly, that 7io mamiring can he strictly 

 economical that is not hased on a Icnoioledge of the re- 

 quirements of the soil and' of the crops^ and of the 

 hest means of supplying them, together loith the most 

 scrupulous care of every ounce of evaporating or sol- 

 'uhle manure made on the farm, and a return of the 

 earthy matters sold off in produce. 



CHAPTER X. 



ATMOSPHERIC FEKTILIZEKS. 



It is not common to regard the gases in the at 

 mosphero in the light of manures, but they are the 

 most important manures we have, as they are the 

 origina. source of more than nine-tenths of the entire 

 production of our fields. Indeed, they are almost the 

 only organic manure ever received by the uncultiva- 

 ted parts of the earth, as well as by a large portion of 



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