THE NEW AGRICULTURE. 161 



it does to carry on the great work of assimilation and purification. 

 Is it not true that all decomposition and filth is converted into in- 

 nocuous material in nature's laboratory ? And if so, is it not di- 

 rectly caused by fermentation and oxidation ? It is burnt and cal- 

 cined into purity. The earth being loose and porous, the air forces 

 its way into the crevices, and the water passes through it from 

 above, each, especially the air, supplying fuel to carry on the work 

 of purification. 



We will suppose that the water conies to a strata that is imper- 

 vious to its onward course. What happens? Simply this, it 

 dams up slowly, inch by inch, forcing out the air as it goes. All 

 motion and circulation is stopped. Fermentation and decomposi- 

 tion soon begin. The earth is drowned out suffocated, dead for 

 want of air. How is this ? Water is good for the ground ? Yes, 

 but not in this way, the water must be moving constantly. There 

 must be a current of air and water and not too much or too little 

 of the latter. , 



This very much desired result can very readily be obtained by 

 seeking a water level and proper drainage and full control of the 

 water so that air can follow and leaven through the earth; so also, 

 that God's most blessed earth reviver rain and the dews may cir- 

 culate through it, so that the old water may not for an instant 

 rest and start fermentation, always on and away, so that there 

 may be plenty of oxygen coming down into its pores, seeking and 

 burning out all filth and corruption. To sum up concisely: 



Use Cole's system of capillary irrigation as patented by him. 

 Thus you get clear of all filth and corruption that is found in these 

 miserable cesspools, they never form. 



You filter all water wherever it strikes the soil from the clouds 

 and other places and localities. You convert even what is so much 

 contaminated with organic matter and other impurities into pure 



