CHAPTER XXIV 
THE HOLSTEIN MILK MACHINE 
Durine the month of March the teams hauled 
more gravel. They also distributed the manure 
that had been purchased in the fall for mulching 
the trees. While the ground was still frozen this 
mulch was placed near the trees, to be used as 
soon as the sun had warmed the earth. The 
mound of dirt at the base of each tree was of 
course levelled down before this dressing was 
applied. I never afterward purchased stable or 
stock-yard manure, though I could often have 
used it to advantage; for I did not think it safe 
to purchase this kind of fertilizer for a farm where 
large numbers of animals are kept. The danger 
from infection is too great. Large quantities of 
barnyard manure were furnished yearly out of my 
own pits, and I supplemented it with a good 
deal of the commercial variety. I try to turn 
back to the land each year more than I take 
from it, but Ido not dare to go to a stock-yard for 
any part of my supply. It was not until I had 
mentally established a quarantine for my hogs 
that I realized the danger from those six car- 
loads of manure; and I promised myself then 
144 
