408 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



not only suited to the convenience and comfort of stock, but 

 particularly adapted to the preservation and increase of manures. 

 The protection of these, by shelter, or some kind of covering, 

 from the vicissitudes of the weather, is as important as the 

 proper storage of our hay and grain. 



Thei waste from this cause alone, is enormous. By an analy- 

 sis recently made at the English Agricultural College, it ap- 

 peared that manures exposed in the yard, in the ordinary way, 

 lost more than half of their fertilizing properties, when com- 

 pared with those which had been sheltered. 



Another waste, which cannot be too highly reprobated, re- 

 sults from the excessive heating of manures, and the escape of 

 their gases. The effluvia which arises from our stables and 

 compost beds, when under fermentation, is the very life and 

 stimulus of vegetation ; and the amazing loss thus occasioned, 

 may be readily appreciated, by the odor which sometimes per- 

 vades a whole neighborhood. How often do we see these gas- 

 es rising, like a column of smoke, burning up the most essential 

 and active elements, and leaving only the cage, the bird hav- 

 ing escaped. Here, one general direction must suffice, which 

 is, mix with the mamires, while in fermentation, proper absorb- 

 ents, such as charcoal, clay, or gypsum, for the retention of 

 these elements ; and when in a warm and active state, let them 

 be mingled, or covered, as soon as possible, with the soil they 

 are to fertilize. 



No branch of agriculture is more important, than the manu- 

 facture, preservation, and application of manures ; neither is 

 there any in which reform is more necessary. 



-Before we conclude, however, we must be allowed to speak 

 of that, which is vital to the success of our whole enterprise, — 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 



The low condition of this, compared with the enterprise and 

 zeal for improvement in other departments of action, demands 

 for it a hearing and place, on all occasions like the present. 



One of the greatest embarrassments of the farmer, is the want 

 of a proper education for his calling. In other arts and profes- 

 sions, we employ only those who are properly trained for their 

 business. The reason is evident, — we do not expect others to 



