22 MANURES. 



and three feet deep, as the trenches will cost less to exca- 

 vate, and the hard subsoil might prevent the free passage 

 of the water into the drains. 



MANURES. 



It is useless to expect success in gardening, unless there 

 is a plentiful supply of manure liberally applied to the soil. 

 It is this which induces a rapid growth and produces that 

 succulence and ciispness so desirable in vegetables. In a 

 large majority of cases it is difficult to obtain, unless in the 

 neighborhood of towns and cities, and especially on farms, 

 for farmers generally need all they get from their stables 

 for their farm crops, and begrudge what is necessary for 

 the garden. Hence it is of great importance to husband 

 every substance that has fertilizing powers, and so prepare 

 it that it will produce its greatest effects. 



Of all materials containing fertilizing powers, none is 

 equal to the excrements of animals, for they contain all 

 the elements of plant life, but not always in the proper 

 proportions, therefore they need to be combined and pre- 

 pared for the special uses to which they are to be applied. 

 In the preparation of them it is necessary to bring them 

 into a less concentrated and more comminuted form than 

 they are naturally, and at the same time preserve the 

 gases they contain; these gases being the principal ele- 

 ments in plant food. 



Comminution of the mass is brought about by fermenta- 

 tion, and this is only another term for combustion or burn- 

 ing. This we see in horse manure that has been piled up 

 and allowed to become overheated ; on opening such a pile 

 of manure, we see in it white masses or streaks which are 

 only the ashes of the manure, the rest of the material 



