TAKING REINS IN HAND 



Another condition of all judicious arrange- 

 ment, which is even more important, is such 

 disposition of the yards and cellars, as shall 

 prevent all waste of manurial resources of 

 whatever kind, whether by undue exposure, or 

 by leakage. And in this connection, I may 

 mention that it is a question seriously mooted, 

 and worthy of full investigation — if the fer- 

 tilizing material of a farm will not warrant 

 special shelter as fully as the crops. All ex- 

 perience certainly confirms the fact that such 

 as is taken from under cover, provided only 

 the moisture is sufficient, is worth the double 

 of that which has been exposed to storms. 

 What chemical laws relating to agriculture con- 

 firm this fact, I may. have occasion to speak of 

 in another chapter; at present I note only the 

 results of practical observation, without refer- 

 ence to underlying causes. 



The books would have recommended me to 

 construct an expensive tank, to which drains 

 should conduct all the wash from the courts 

 and stables. But this would involve water 

 carts, and other appliances, liable to injury 

 under rough handling — besides demanding a 

 nicety of tillage, and a regularity of distri- 

 bution which, at first, could not be depended 

 on. That the liquid form is the one, under 



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