54 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



task of absorbing the liquid and keeping the stable passably 

 dry. The foregoing outline of our practice, I think, might be 

 improved by adding, during the summer, a daily feeding of 

 wheat-bran, which would supply the manure with phosphates 

 that are carried from the farm in the milk. 



In regard to the economy of soiling, it can be said that it 

 effects a saving of land and manure, but requires an increased 

 expense for labor. An observing neighbor remarked with 

 reference to the production of milk, that in May and June 

 the advantage was with the pasture, but thought he obtained 

 more milk in the course of the season by soiling and feeding 

 in the barn. The epicure remarked, while helping himself to 

 the middle of the fish, that the good lay between the two 

 extremes. It may be so in this case, and we would advise 

 every farmer, no matter how extensive his pastures, to pro- 

 vide some forage crops which shall supply what the pastures 

 will lack during the months of August and September. 

 Doubtless the farmer of the future, when population shall 

 have increased and land also risen in value, will find soiling 

 not only an economy but a necessity. 



