Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. 791 



of the same plants again. As ditferent varieties of vegetation call for 

 different proportions of the elements of plant nutrition the nature of 

 the compost may, when desired, be modified to meet the exact 

 requirements of each case. The same remark will apply to crops at 

 different stages of their growth, but this involves, in practice, the 

 addition to the heap of substances other than stable manure, such as 

 animal offal (the very best material for the purpose when it can be 

 obtained), guano, night soil, bone dust, phosphates and the like, for 

 further mention of which there is not room within the limits of the 

 present sketch. The more easy transport of the liquid manure con- 

 sequent on its mixture with the muck is of much practical importance, 

 but need not be enlarged upon, as the convenience of handling and 

 distributing with a shovel, as compared with the use of barrels, 

 wheeled tank, and sprinklers, is very evident. 



Adjourned. 



April 26, 1870. 



Xathan C. Ely, Esq., in the .chair ; Mr. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 

 Country Homes fok City Boys. 



At a previous meeting tlie subject of finding places on farms for 

 such children of the streets as may wish, or whose parents may 

 desire to change their base, was considered, and a committee, con- 

 sisting of Messrs. Frank D. Curtis, Chairman ; J. B. Lyman and H. 

 L. Reade, was appointed to look into the matter. Having done so, 

 they submitted the following report, which was adopted : 



Many denizens of the town look with longing eyes to the waving 

 fields of the husbandman and the home laden with plenty. To 

 them it doubtless seems that the happy farmer has nothing else to do 

 but to enjoy the fruits of the earth in their season, and bask in the 

 sunshine of rural felicity. To all such, who know nothing of the 

 practical experiences of a farmer's life — and no life has more of 

 the practical — agriculture would not be a success, and, not being a 

 success, would consequently abound in perplexities, disappointments, 

 and lead eventually to disgust. ''A love of nature," however ardent, 

 qould not counterbalance these evils. Farming, to be fully enjoyed, 

 must be understood. A novice who is willing to put himself under 

 tuition, could reap the enjoyment of an education and its ultimate 

 benefits. Conceit is no handmaid to the farmer. The hands must 



