7 o 



AGRICULTURE. 



comes several weeks earlier than it otherwise would, 

 and corn of good character is grown where the land 

 previously produced only a very inferior quality. 



141. The next great advantage is the more per- 

 fect use of any manure which may be added to 

 the soil. The healthy condition of the soil renders 

 the use of lime, farmyard dung, and artificial manures 

 much more beneficial. If the land is too wet, these 

 manures are to a great extent wasted, because there is 

 no vigorous growth to utilize them, and their decom- 

 position is of an unsatisfactory character. Until land 

 has had good and proper drainage, it is almost useless 

 to attempt its improvement by the use of manure. It 

 would be better to use the manure upon land fit to 

 receive it. 



142. The same circumstances which make land 

 more healthy for vegetable growth, also make it 

 more healthy for animal life. This is largely 

 due to the fact that a superior quality of herbage 

 maintains stock more perfectly, and gives them a 

 greater vigour of life, which is in itself a great protec- 

 tion against disease. An insufficient supply of proper 

 food, greatly predisposes an animal for disease. Hence, 

 just in proportion as land produces inferior food, de- 

 ficient in nourishment, so the stock upon that land 

 becomes unhealthy, and more liable to disease. In 

 addition to this, the damp character of the land exerts 

 a direct influence upon the animals kept upon it, pro- 

 ducing various forms of disease. 



143. The drainage of land reduces the cost of 

 all the tillage operations, enables the land to be 

 cultivated with much less labour, and it extends the 

 time during which the work may be done. 



