STALL-MANURE AND STRAW. 



147 



ought in no respect to be considered as impugned ; I 

 have only sought to show that it has not, as, strict- 

 ly speaking, a manure, so high a value as that 

 which, in conformity with tradition, is very frequently 

 attributed to it ; that a farmer may obtain great crops 

 more cheaply and quickly by powerful composts than 

 by buying straw ; and that a tenant does not ruin 

 the fields intrusted to him, but rather improves them, 

 when he sells -straw for <£20, and in its stead pro- 

 cures for £10 guano, bone-dust, or oil-cake. 



Leaf-litter has, again, far less value as a ma- 

 nure than straw; first, because it is much less ca- 

 pable of absorbing urine, inasmuch as it lacks the 

 reedy character of straw ; next, because it is poorer 

 in manuring ingredients ; and, lastly, because it is far 

 more difficultly and slowly decomposed. In respect 

 of its mineral constituents, the following difference 

 was exhibited in the chemical examination of the lit- 

 ter formed within twenty years in a grove of fir-trees 

 (age twenty years). 



There were contained : — 



Leaf-litter is, accordingly, very poor in soluble sub- 

 stances, especially potash and soda ; hence a prompt 

 and energetic operation cannot be expected from it. 



