plan now adopted by the farmers in this county (Frederick).
Where woods are accessible, leaves and mould are hauled in and added to
the manure-heap; in fact, every substance that can be worked into the
manure-heap is freely used. Well-rotted stable-manure is worth from
$1.50 to $2.50 per cord, according to condition and locality.

Very Respectfully Yours,

HERMAN L. ROUTZAHN.

Letter from Prof. E. M. Shelton, Prof. of Agriculture, Kansas State
Agricultural College.

KANSAS STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE,

MANHATTAN, Kansas, May 5, 1876.

DEAR SIR.--In reply to your first question, I would say that
stable-manure in this vicinity, is held in very light estimation.
Indeed, by the householders of this city, and quite generally by the
farmers, manure is regarded as one of those things--like drouth and
grasshoppers--with which a mysterious Providence sees fit to clog the
operations of the husband-man. The great bulk of the stable-manure made
in this city is, every spring, carted into ravines and vacant
lots--wherever, in short, with least expense it can be put out of reach
of the senses.

It must not be understood by this that manure has little influence on
the growing crops in Kansas. Nowhere have I seen such excellent results
from application of home-made fertilizers, as in Kansas. For those
sterile wastes known as "Alkali lands," and "Buffalo wallows," manure is
a speedy and certain cure. During two years of severe drouth, I have
noticed that wherever manure had been supplied, the crop withstood the
effects of dry weather much better than where no application had been
made. Four years ago, a strip across one of our fields was heavily
manured; this year this field is into wheat, and a dark band that may be
seen half a mile shows where this application was made.

These facts the better class of our farmers are beginning to appreciate.
A few days ago, a neighbor, a very intelligent farmer, assured me that
from manuring eight to ten acres every year, his farm was now in better
condition than when be broke up the prairie fifteen years ago.

I know of no analysis of stable or farmyard-manure made in Kansas.
Concerning the _weight_ of manures, I can give you a few facts, having
had occasion during the past winter to weigh several loads used for
experimental purposes. This manure was wheeled into the barnyard,
chiefly from the cattle stalls, during the winter of 1874-5. It lay in
the open yard until February l