MY VINEYAKD. 93 



CHAPTER XI. 



MANURES. 



The subject of manures is one which should receive the 

 careful attention of every tiller of the soil. Success in 

 farming is very often dependent upon the method employ- 

 ed in saving and using manures. On every farm, no mat- 

 ter how small, the compost heap should be an important 

 feature. It may be managed in such a way as not to be 

 in the least offensive, and the labor bestowed upon it will 

 always be a paying investment. The way in which many 

 farmers on the rich prairie lands treat their manure, re- 

 garding it as a worthless nuisance, and allowing it to go 

 to waste, is all wrong. The consequences of this course 

 may not be very injurious to them, but it must be to their 

 descendants. It is folly to suppose that land, however 

 rich, will not become ultimately exhausted by continual 

 cropping. For myself, I am careful that no refuse matter 



