42 MODERN HIGH FARMING. 



When these points have till been settled, and when he has pur- 

 chased his manure, chemistry will again step in and determine 

 whether, in what he has bought, the necessary elements are actually 

 contained. 



We are all inclined, more or less, to be negligent even of our 

 best interests, and we are satisfied that the majority of our farmers 

 do not trouble to analyze the manures they purchase, but are fain to 

 rely upon the promises and representations of the dealers. Alas ! 

 for the frailty of human nature ! " Opportunity makes the thief." 



How many fertilizer mixers and dealers, arc there in the world 

 who are too high-souled to profit by this situation ? 



If once the custom of analyzing all purchased manures becomes a 

 thing of course looked upon as part and parcel of the commercial 

 transaction ; if once our farmers will take the trouble to ascertain 

 the monetary value of all the ingredients employed in making man- 

 ure, they will be able to distinguish what is good from what is 

 worthless, and by ceasing to buy cheap "rubbish," will deal a death- 

 blow at those miserable swindlers who trade in stuff which is "only 

 made to sell." 



The foregoing remarks are prompted by our strong desire to sup- 

 press an evil, the dire effects of which are so widespread as to in- 

 directly strike at every interest. 



If we are to have cheap food it must be produced in abundance ! 



How can it be produced in abundance if agriculturists are baulked 

 in their efforts at improvement, and ruined by their purchase of ma- 

 terials which can give them no return ? 



The extensive sale of these so-called fertilizers under high-flown 

 names, has done much to disgust those who have been victimized, 

 with all ideas of progress, and has inspired them with such distrust 

 of artificial manures, that, rather than make fresh trials and run 

 fresh risks, they prefer to see their lands in a state of comparative 

 sterility. 



There surely must be there naturally is a large number of 

 manure manufacturers in the United States of strict integrity and 

 undoubted honor, and we would suggest to these, that they have a 



