45 



generally be prevented by the exercise of a little 

 forethought and care, involving no heavy pecun- 

 iary expenditure. In old-settled sections such 

 waste is unpardonable, and would be considered 

 inhuman, if plants were regarded as possessing a 

 sensitive organization. I can remember when 

 this kind of manure was simihirly neglected in 

 the more backward districts of England, and felt 

 puzzled to determine which inflicted the greater 

 evil on his country, the tenant-farmer who neg- 

 lected his manure to develop his crops, or the 

 game-preserving landlord, who caused them to 

 be eaten up. The possession of land is a sacred 

 trust, and society sanctions by law the right of 

 private ownership on the understood condition 

 that it be used in such a manner as to confer the 

 greatest benefit, not merely on the individual 

 owner or occupier, but on the community at 

 large. 



Among the most efficient means of agricultural 

 improvement in the temperate zone, at least, is 

 Draining, an artifice that has been attended by 

 the most beneficial results, particularly on wet 

 and heavy soils. I will say a few words both of 

 caution and encouragement on this subject. I 

 have found newly arrived settlers in the newer 

 parts of Canada, who had been accustomed to the 



