The Use Of Leaves

Na turo, wlnuli doeth all Xhings well, scattorod hur leaves uon tho groiiod, and theroby protcots tho roots of the trees. In an open field, a tree will somo times die frorn the expoaure of tho ground i f the roots run uoar the surface. Niiked bou freezes deeply. In the woods thero is seldom frost in tlio ground. If any, alwaya loss thun in the open field. This is in consequence, not of tho collection of trees, which acts morely asa break to the wind, but very little guard ngninst the frost - but on account 'f the leaves which cover tho ground. - Now, leaves have a property svhioh very few pooplo are aware of It is in the manner of their lying together. Being of a thin, flit foim, they aro capsble of lying close together, like blankets - and that is what they are to the earth, protecting it from the cold, being non-conduotors, as well as forming a eo vering Iu those purts of a garden where the leaves of grape viiies or shrubbery strew the ground, plants are protected, while in the remainder all is barren. It is the leav-oB that have the virtue of preventing the frost. Some gardeuers hëap up with leaves their tender plants, and cover v.ith brush or evergreen bough to keep the wind from blowing avvay the leaves. This has been provcd to bo effeetual in preserving from frost. Leaves do not only act ns a rnulch (and they are the best kind of rnuloh) and prutection, but may be used as abáorb ents of manure. They are used lo advantage in the compost heap, on the barn yard, but more especially iu the Ktable, where thoy inako a warm, dry bedding, and take up readily the urine aud fluid parts of the excrement, and yield to a crumbl'ng state, which a an advantage over straw. As to obtaining the leaves, there is little difficnlty, Our country in the rnain is a wooded country. The forest floor is thickly covered Vv'ith leaves, often lying in heaps. Here is the great source whence the leaves may bo obtaiued, and to any desirable estent, raked together and carriud home iu a largo wagon-box. How mueh preferable is this to saw-dust, which absorbs but little, being already chargcd with moisture. The leaves are dry, their pores open like po many mouths to take n the enriching matter. Here is no expense - only the lift o troublo of securing the leaves Besides, there is fertility in leavoi). Our rich muck-Oeds are formed of them and their kiudred, the grass and weeds. A mulch of leavos appliod in tho Fall to our orchards, packed ana Hvcnred bv the rains and snows, mnkes the very best mulch in the world. ' 8aw-dust has its further objection in the acid it contains It sours, and thus hurts the ground. The same may be said of recent tan bark. Ötraw is good ; chalï is botter; hut the moisture ie pennitted to escape more readily through the e thau thrc'ugh le.ives, whioh will -pack close, and are yet porous, reta ining t!;e moisture. Le.ives will eventuülly be of great importanoe in fanniug. Use thüm uow.