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manure is, that though powerful and active, its effects are of short 

 duration. This may be so, but if true is by no means conclusive 

 against its use, because taking into view the interest on the cost of 

 manure, and on the cost of the land too, that which is powerful 

 and quick in its operation, though such should be of short dura- 

 tion, is much cheaper at the same price than a manure, that 

 though exercising a more lasting influence, is weak and sluggish 

 in its effects. 



Whatever means may be adopted for the purpose, one rule with 

 respect to cultivation, may be safely laid down as an established 

 axiom, and that is, that no land will produce a remunarative crop, 

 unless it contains, or is made to contain, an adequate supply of 

 vegetable nutriment, the labor of cultivation remaining under all 

 circumstances very nearly the same. One of the best and most 

 successful farmers in an adjoining county, remarked to me not 

 long since, that he had always found that the more money he 

 spent on his farm, the more money he made, and this when con- 

 fined to the improvement of land, as was intended in this instance, 

 will probably always hold true. Land devoid of nutriment for 

 vegetation, will not yield a harvest. "Ye cannot gather grapes 

 from thorns or figs from thistles." 



Air, water, light and heat are as indispensable to plants as to 

 animals, both as sources of food, and as exercising an influence 

 upon their growth and organization. The soil then should be 

 kept light and loose, for the admission of the two former to the 

 roots, and with respect to the latter, such measures as is possible 

 be taken to insure an adequate supply of these essential 

 elements. The vigorous growth of the plants cultivated too, 

 will be farther promoted by keeping the land free from all other 

 vegetation, for such is not only unsightly, but tends to exhaust 

 the ground of the necessary nourishment, thereby enhancing the 

 cost of its product. A crop of worthless weeds, is too expen- 

 sive to be permitted to cumber and disfigure the fields of the 

 farmer. 



