10 



plioric Acid, and Nitrogen in a ton of clover hay 

 would make it worth $17,57 for manure. Bran would 

 be worth $22.10 ; Peas, $22.84 ; Malt Dust, $31 30 ; 

 Linseed Oil Cake, $33.76 ; and Decorticated Cotton 

 Seed Cake, $47. 5G per ton for manure." Walks and 

 Talks, No. 101. 



Now if I understand the revelations of chemistry, 

 Nitrogen exists in all of these substances, only in the 

 form of albuminoids. And nothing but the complete 

 decomposition of these protein bodies, and the con- 

 version of their Nitrogen into Nitric Acid or Ammo- 

 nia, will render them available as plant food. Taking 

 this view oi the case, Professor Johnson, most certainly 

 never intended to convey the idea, that Nitrogen in 

 clover hay, &c , is worth 30 cents per pound 

 ' If it is worth that much in dry hay, it is worth 25 

 cents per pound in green corn. Yet Joseph Harris 

 ridiculed this idea, in 1875, with unaccountable se- 

 verity, considering that he taught the same doctrine 

 in 1872. 



The Hon. George" Geddes says : " When we read in 

 Walks and Talks on the Farm, that the manurial 

 value of a ton of clover hay is $15.82, we are silent 

 out of respect to the high source from which we re- 

 ceived the information." 



That is decidedly wrong ! No man should be silent, 

 if truth must suffer in consequence of that silence. 



Is it disrespectful to point out the dark spots in the 

 sun ; or must we only notice the dazzling splendor 

 of his golden beams, and forever praise his all-perva- 

 ding power ? 



But enough of this. The opinion of another great 

 man, I must criticise, in the interest of truth and 

 science. 



