lky. It is worth more because the ton of
corn-fodder contains a greater quantity of valuable plant-food than the
ton of straw. The clover is still richer in this valuable plant-food,
and the manure is much more valuable; in fact, the manure from the ton
of clover is worth as much as the manure from the ton of straw and the
ton of corn-fodder together."

"I would like to see you prove that," said the Deacon, "for if it is
true, I will sell no more clover-hay. I can't get as much for clover-hay
in the market as I can for rye-straw."

"I will not attempt to _prove_ it at present," said the Doctor; "but the
evidence is so strong and so conclusive that no rational man, who will
study the subject, can fail to be thoroughly convinced of its truth."

"The value of manure," said I, "does not depend on the quantity of water
which it contains, or on the quantity of sand, or silica, or on the
amount of woody fibre or carbonaceous matter. These things add little or
nothing to its fertilizing value, except in rare cases; and the
sulphuric acid and lime are worth no more than the same quantity of
sulphate of lime or gypsum, and the chlorine and soda are probably worth
no more than so much common salt. The real chemical value of the manure,
other things being equal, is in proportion to the nitrogen, phosphoric
acid, and potash, that the manure contains.

"And the quantity of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash found in the
manure is determined, other things being equal, by the quantity of the
nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash contained in the food consumed by
the animals making the manure."

CHAPTER XII.

FOODS WHICH MAKE RICH MANURE.

The amount of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash, contained in
different foods, has been accurately determined by many able and
reliable chemists.

The following table was prepared by Dr. J. B. Lawes, of Rothamsted,
England, and was first published in this country in the "Genesee
Farmer," for May, 1860. Since then, it has been repeatedly published in
nearly all the leading agricultural journals of the world, and has given
rise to much discussion. The following is the table, with some recent
additions:

TD: Total dry matter.
TM: Total mineral matter (ash).
Ph: Phosphoric acid reckoned as phosphate of lime.
P: Potash.
N: Nitrogen.
V: Value of manure in dollars and cents from 1 ton (2,000 lbs.)
of food.

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