Ma. 144.] ^7 



Another serious difficulty with whi«h we have to contend is the 

 one mentioned by Mr. Robinson at our last meeting, viz: washing 

 by rains. This can be prevented in most cases, as Mr. R. says, 

 'by level plowing, and always by underdraining, which will cause 

 the water of rains to filter through the soil instead of running 

 •over the surface, and carrying in mechanical suspension the finer 

 parts of the soil. 



While we recommend these improvements to the farmer, Mr. 

 Chairman, we must not forget that the same laws which aflect him 

 as an individual exert their influence over communities, towns, 

 counties, States, and whole countries. The internal government 

 of each of these must, in order to secure economy, exercise the 

 same care over the constituents of the soil as is required of the 

 former. The general government affords no true protection to 

 the interests of the country, until it keeps at its ports a strict 

 watch of the goings out and comings in of materials which may 

 affect fertility. Not only are the elements of our soil exported in 

 the shape of grain, &c., but vessels every week load with bones 

 at our seaports and towns, and carry them to England, where 

 they are used as manure. The great republic " strains at a gnat 

 and swallows a camel." It very justly derives revenue from 

 duties on foreign goods, while it very foolishly lets many times 

 its revenue slip through its fingers, in exported produce and 

 wastes, which its proper protection would avoid. The loss of va- 

 luable fertilizing materials is carried on so imperceptibly that it 

 escapes our attention. The sewers, gutters and vaults of New- 

 York city alone daily receive animal and vegetable refuse, worth, 

 as manure, over $12,000, being over $4,000,000 per annum wast- 

 ed by a single city. This is at the moderate calculation of two 

 <-ents per day for each person, without allowing anything for 

 horses and other animals. Nine-tenths of this waste could, and 

 should be prevented. Were I to make a strictly correct calcula- 

 tion of the wastes of the whole country, I fear that I should be 

 considered a candidate for the lunatic asylum. 



What we must have, sir, is such protection from the national 

 and State governments as will enable us to stop this hole in the 

 [Assembly, No. 144.] Q 



