orn and 3 tons of straw, is only worth 23-1/2 cents per
ton."

"And now, Deacon," I continued, "while you have a pencil in your hand,
I want you to make one more calculation. Assuming that Mr. Lawes'
estimate is too high, and we reduce it one-half, figure up what manure
is worth when made from straw alone. You take 4 tons of wheat straw,
feed out part, and use part for bedding. It will give you about 10 tons
of manure. And this 10 tons cost you 50 cents a ton to load, draw out,
and spread. Now figure:

"Four tons of straw is worth, for manure, according to Mr. Lawes' table,
$2.68 per ton. We have agreed to reduce the figures one half, and so the

10 tons of manure from the 4 tons of straw is worth $5.36
Drawing out 10 tons of manure at 50 cents 5.00
--------
Value of 10 tons of straw-manure _in yard_ $0.36

"In other words, if John Johnston's manure is worth only $1.23 per ton
in the yard, the straw-made manure is worth only a little over 3-1/2
cents a ton in the yard."

"That is _too_ absurd," said the Deacon.

"Very well," I replied, "for once I am glad to agree with you. But if
this is absurd, then it follows that Mr. Lawes' estimate of the value of
certain foods for manure is not so extravagant as you supposed--which is
precisely what I wished to prove."

"You have not told us how Mr. Johnston manages his manure," said the
Deacon.

"There is nothing very remarkable about it," I replied. "There are many
farmers in this neighborhood who adopt the same method. I think,
however, John Johnston was the first to recommend it, and subjected
himself to some criticism from some of the so-called scientific writers
at the time.

"His general plan is to leave the manure in the yards, basements, and
sheds, under the sheep, until spring. He usually sells his fat sheep in
March. As soon as the sheep are removed, the manure is either thrown up
into loose heaps in the yard, or drawn directly to the field, where it
is to be used, and made into a heap there. The manure is not spread on
the land until the autumn. It remains in the heaps or piles all summer,
being usually turned once, and sometimes twice. The manure becomes
thoroughly rotted."

Mr. Johnston, like the Deacon, applies his manure to the corn crop. But
the Deacon draws out his fresh green manure in the spring, on sod-land,
and plows it under. Mr. Johnston, on the other hand