160 THE NEW AGRICULTURE. 



The gases that rise from decaying manure are exceedingly poi- 

 sonous. The urine from stables of stock contains much more 

 putrescent matter than manure does, and is therefore more dan- 

 gerous. 



Now, as in the case just mentioned, where there is a hollow in 

 the stable-yard, w r hich hollow is not drained, it becomes the recep- 

 tacle for all the waste that is around the place. The drainage 

 from the house, pigpens, and stables drain into it. There is no 

 outlet and it must remain there, only to find an exit in evaporation. 

 The animal and vegetable matter settles down in it, fermentation 

 begins and is hastened by the heat of the sun. Now when evap- 

 orating, the particles of humidity rise from the bottom of this pile 

 of corruption, thus producing a current which carries with it the 

 products of putrefaction. These products are sometimes parasitic 

 in their nature. They float in the air, settle on the surface of the 

 water, and sift into the food. When taken into the lungs by in- 

 spiration, they find resting places in the membranes, where with 

 an even temperature of sufficient height to bring them to active 

 life disease results. The same thing occurs when taken into the 

 stomach in food and drink. In the first instance they cause dis- 

 eases of the mouth, throat and lungs, in the latter, their effects are 

 noted in derangement of the stomach and bowels. 



Should we be asked whether there is any way of avoiding this 

 condition of affairs, we unhesitatingly would point you out the 

 real reason for all the trouble, and at the same time suggest the 

 cure. First comes, fermentation, then decomposition, the produc- 

 tion of fungi in all its forms, and of course this must be followed 

 by disease. 



Now to my mind Nature intended that the ground should have 

 air to breathe and water to drink, just the same as animals. It 

 needs these, not so much for supplying nutriment to vegetation, as 



