THE FARMER AT HOME. 263 



neutralizing noxious substances in the soil, which prevent the growth 

 of vegetation. The operation of lime on a cold, sour, peat soil, or one 

 which abounds in sulphate of iron, is an example of this principle. 

 Fourth, manures change, according to their bulk and texture, the 

 mechanical properties of soils. Fifth, manures may change more or 

 less, according to their various properties, the chemical character of a 

 soil, in relation to its light, heat, air, and water. Sand, used upon a 

 clay soil, for the purpose of rendering it more loose and friable, would 

 be as properly a manure as farm-yard or any other variety Clay 

 used to ameliorate a sandy soil, is also in effect a manure. Manures 

 have been classified in various ways, according to their supposed 

 operation and nature. The most simple and convenient division, and 

 one which is usually adopted at present, is that which arranges ail of 

 them into three classes animal, vegetable, and mineral manures. 

 The first class includes all substances of animal origin ; the second 

 includes all those of vegetable origin ; and the third, all those directly 

 from the mineral kingdom. 



The success of a farmer depends mainly on the abundance of his 

 manures, and the skill with which he preserves and applies them. 

 Most farmers, with a little extra effort, might double and even quad- 

 ruple the amount of their fertilizers. Till turning their attention to 

 the subject few would realize how easily it is done. Every farm 

 abounds with the materials that might be collected for them. Hogs, 

 especially, if supplied with these materials, would make manure 

 enough to pay for all they eat. To do this in the best manner, there 

 should be among farmers a competition, to see who will collect the 

 most ; and each one should avail himself of his neighbor's experience. 

 And above all, no one should be without a good Muck Book ; that of 

 Browne is the best- 



MAPLE SUGAR. The manufacture of maple sugar has been, 

 and still may be an important business in several of our northern 

 States. Should proper attention be paid to it, the importance may 

 rise above what it ever has been. There will always be thousands 

 of families who would find it much easier to produce the sugar for 

 their own use than to buy it. In the early settlements of the country 

 the process was very simple. Those who made the least would bring 

 the sap of the maple to their own houses, and there reduce it to sugar. 

 Others who made it in larger quantities, and whose maple forests 

 were at an inconvenient distance for doing that, would construct cheap 

 cabins in the midst of them, in which to shelter themselves during 

 the season of collecting the sap. In front of such cabins they would 

 have suspended in the open air, large kettles constantly filled with 

 the precious liquid. Here by night and by day would be seen the 

 rousing fires beneath the kettles, the flames aftbrding cheerfulness and 

 warmth to those who watched them, and filling the air with their 

 wide spreading illuminations. With the increase of facilities to 



