“This will make about ten tons of manure. In this case, as in the other, we are to reduce the estimate one-half. Consequently, we have $7.35 as the value of this ten tons of manure in the field, or 73½ cents a ton. It costs, we have estimated, 50 cents a ton to handle the manure, and, therefore, it is worth _in the yard_, 23½ cents a ton.” “John Johnston’s manure is worth in the yard, $1.23 per ton. The Deacon’s manure is worth in the yard, 23½ cents per ton.” “There is some mistake,” exclaimed the Deacon, “you said, at first, that one load of John Johnston’s manure was worth as much as two of my loads. Now you make one load of his manure worth more than five loads of my manure. This is absurd.” “Not at all, Deacon,” said I, “you made the figures yourself. You thought Mr. Lawes’ estimate too high. You reduced it one-half. The figures are correct, and you must accept the conclusion. If John Johnston’s manure is only worth $1.23 per ton in the yard, yours, made from 1 ton of corn and 3 tons of straw, is only worth 23½ 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 3½ 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.