19-22.] The Future of British Agriculture. 3. 



matter. Possibly science may be able to stimulate still further 

 the action of the nodules at the roots in which this fertilising 

 power resides. But the potential value of the crop is as yet 

 limited by two of its characteristics. It cannot be grown con- 

 tinuously on the same land, and it is liable to more or less 

 frequent failures, though these may, of course, be mitigated by 

 an admixture of grass. If the study of the biology of the soil 

 solves the mystery of the failure and enables farmers to grow 

 the crop continuously on the same land, the full potentialities of 

 clover will be utilised to immense advantage. 



Further control over the natural limitations of soil condi- 

 tions, as w T ell as the proper nourishment of plant life, are 

 gained by the command and right use of farm-yard manure 

 and of artificial fertilisers. 



As the best of our all-round manures, " muck " is the basis 

 of the manuring system of the farm. Something between 35 

 and 40 millions of tons of farm-yard manure are produced 

 annually in this country. It is probably no exaggeration to 

 say that at least half is wasted from improper making and 

 storage. Its management is a first-class test of a first-class 

 farmer. Whether science will some day invent a method of 

 fixing which will prevent the leakage of the precious urine may 

 be doubted. The clamp, properly placed and made, at present 

 hoi 'Is the field as the best preventive of waste. Again, the 

 bacteriological process of rotting straw may be valuable where 

 there is an excess of straw. Its cost works out, I believe, at 

 something like 5s. per ton. But, for myself, before buying 

 the plant T should be inclined to try a larger head of stock. 

 Under the modern hygiene of the dairy, there is a danger that 

 the manure of dairy cattle may be wasted. To avoid contami- 

 nation of the milk, bedding can only be used sparingly and the 

 stalls must be cleaned out at least once a. day. It is a matter 

 which has not escaped the attention of science, and a remedy 

 will. T believe, be found. 



Large as is the supply of farm-yard manure, it remains in- 

 adequate. Tn this respect agricultural chemistry has supple- 

 mented the resources of farmers. But artificial fertilisers are 

 more than a supplement. Their best results are generaMv 

 obtainable in combination with farm-yard manure. Few 

 persons suppose that chemistry has shot its bolt, and that no 

 new combinations or ingredients may be discovered. In the 

 intelligent use of the substances already known much remains 

 to be done. Many men still do themselves as much harm as 



