160 IMPORTANCE AND VALUE 



that effect is speedily obtained which is slowly ob- 

 tained by natural decay, and both these manuring 

 agents are brought into such a condition that their 

 principal action now happens in the first, instead of 

 the second or third year after their application to 

 the soil. 



3. What is the best mode of applying the manure ? 

 In what form ? At what time ? In what quantity ? 

 The replies to these questions must be left to 

 practical experience, which will soon discover the 

 right course. In many cases theory can certainly 

 give useful intimations, but not special instructions, 

 inasmuch as climate, soil, situation, and many other 

 circumstances, make various modifications necessary, 

 which can only be ascertained and established by 

 experience. 



4. What is the value of the manure ? This inquiry 

 is evidently of great moment to the farmer, espe- 

 cially in times when he is in danger of buying a 

 manure for twice, nay, three or four times, as much 

 as, when compared with others, it is actually worth. 

 How, then, is the farmer to protect himself against 

 losses of this description ? We answer, by interro- 

 gating chemistry. In deciding upon the value of 

 artificial manures, external signs and evidences are 

 wholly insuflB.cient and insecure ; they must be sub- 

 jected to a keener and more thorough scrutiny, to 

 wit, a chemical analysis. If this, however, is to ben- 

 efit the farmer in the manner above stated, he must 

 be able to deduce, in a simple and intelligible way, 



