Introduction 



right proportions, or with the right kinds in associa- 

 tion, or, above all, if by buying without knowledge 

 the usual price is paid for inferior products, a loss 

 is entailed at the starting point. 



Whatever the method of cultivation may be, the 

 quantity and quality of the results obtained will 

 depend chiefly on the influence of manure. Other 

 conditions being equal, the difference in results 

 ought to be attributed entirely to the manures, and 

 this difference is sometimes enormous. 



In some cases proper manuring may mean a two- 

 fold increase ; in others it will enable us to cultivate 

 soils which otherwise could not have been touched. 



We know, too, that between the price of manures 

 and the extra value of crops obtained, thanks to their 

 use, there is a large margin of profit ; but this profit 

 ought to be derived from the judicious use of these 

 manures, and to be able to utihse them judiciously 

 we must understand them. 



There are actually on the market such a variety 

 of artificial manures, and they are introduced with so 

 much skill, that it is very easy to be led astray 

 as to their value and the use one should make of 

 them. It is not wisdom either, on the part of 

 the buyer, to rely solely and completely on the 

 seller for advice as to what is useful or necessary 

 for his purpose. He ought to know and be able to 

 judge for himself. 



" A Manual of Manures " will be not only useful, 

 but essential to the farmer, and he ought always to 

 keep it handy. 



He ought to know what elements these manures 

 bring to the soil, under what forms, and in what 



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