744 
OBITUARY. 
in a proper condition. They will absorb from the air nitro¬ 
gen in the form of ammonia and nitric acid, and the atmo¬ 
sphere itself gives to the land every year in the form of rain 
a very large quantity of these substances. This at once 
raises the subject of draining, for if land is clogged up with 
water to the surface, it is unable to benefit by the valuable 
manures which descend in the rain, which, instead of soaking 
through the ground, is compelled to run off the surface with¬ 
out giving half their manuring value to the crops. Again, 
undrained land is unable to extract the manures from the 
air, for this process is only carried on by reason of its porosity, 
and therefore, if the water cannot pass readily away, the 
ground remains full, the air is unable to pass among it, and 
thus it is unable to derive any benefit from it.— ffibberd’s 
Gardener’s Magazine . 
OBITUARY. 
It is with sincere regret that we record the death of Mr. 
John Ellis, M.K.C.V.S., of Liverpool. He died on the 22 nd 
September, at his residence, Hale Bank, after a very short 
illness, aged 53. His diploma bears date August 9th, 
1832. 
Mr. Ellis was among those of whom in early life we enter¬ 
tained high hopes. Nor have these been blighted; but he 
has been cut down while yet in full maturity, and when* as 
we think, still richer fruit, ripened by age, might have been 
obtained had he been spared. How true is the simile of 
the prophet, Man is as grass, or the flower of the field, which 
may be smitten by the rude blast as it passes over, or 
withered by the scorching sun-ray ! But if escaping these, at 
eventide he will be cut down by the inexorable mower— 
Death. 
“ Thus friend after friend departs— 
Who has not lost a friend ?” 
In addition to the above, we have likewise to record the 
death of Mr. Wm. Cook, M.R.C.V.S., Willesborough, Kent, 
which took place on the 22nd September, after a very short 
illness. His diploma is dated May 24th, 1853. 
EEEATUM IN NO. 441 . 
Page 672, line 2 7, for cancer read canker. 
