MANURES. 159 



manure than the super-phosphate in the same way 

 that gold buried in a pot in the garden is more last- 

 ing than if used in labor and manure for its cultiva- 

 tion. I desire, once for all, to caution farmers 

 against attaching too much imporance to the lasting 

 qualities of a manure. Generally they are laxi'my 

 only in proportion as they are lazy. In manuring, 

 as in other things, a nimble sixpence is better than a 

 slow shilling. 



Of course it is not to be understood that all ma- 

 nures used had better exert their full effect on the 

 first year's crop, but the more rapidly it can be made 

 available consistently with the course of cultivation 

 adopted (the rotation, etc.), the less we shall lose in 

 the item of interest. A hundred pounds of coarsely 

 ground bones may give an extra crop of 250 Ibs. of 

 hay per year for ten years. The same quantity 

 finely ground and evenly spread might add a thou- 

 sand Ibs. to the first year's crop, and if the hay is 

 consumed on the farm, and its constituents returned 

 in the form of manure, the same increase might be 

 received year after year. Therefore, in considering 

 the value of manure, more attention should be given 

 to the rapidity of its action than to the time that it 

 will last. Many fanners who have the proper facili- 

 ties, may find it expedient to purchase bones or 

 bone-dust and sulphuric acid, and to manufacture 

 their own super-phosphate of lime ; others will prefer 

 to purchase the prepared manure. Such purchases 

 should be made with great care, and only from per- 

 sons of established reputation, for nothing is easier 



