52 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Another neglected source of manure is the hennery. Fowls 

 are high livers, their excrements are therefore rich, abounding in 

 urate of ammonia, and phosphate of lime, two most valuable sub- 

 stances in manure. The best method of preserving the droppings 

 of domestic fowls is to keep the floor, or ground under their roosts, 

 well littered with muck or earth, as both liquids and solids are 

 voided at once ; this litter is essential for its proper retention, and 

 the quantity of manure is greatly increased without materially 

 impairing its value. Dead animals, not used as food, should become 

 an ingredient in the compost-heap, decomposed flesh being one of 

 the most powerful of all fertilizers, and next in concentrated fer- 

 tility'' is night soil. Let us then save, and return to mother earth, 

 all that we can, so that she will return to us of her abundance, 

 without exhaustion. 



The application of manure to the soil in order to produce the 

 greatest benefit to the crop and land, should vary accordnig to 

 circumstances. Our soil, climate, and seasons differ so much, that 

 no definite rule can be laid down which can be applied with equal 

 advantage to all locations, and crops. IIow much of the manure 

 is lost by exposure to the elements, how much by leaching, and 

 how it shall be applied, whether in the fresh green state, or after 

 fermentation has taken place, are questions which are drawing 

 the attention of scientific and practical men. One writer says, 

 " farm-yard manure never possesses more of the elements of plant- 

 food, than in the original unfermented state." There is a fear in 

 tlie minds of many farmers, that if the manure be spread on the 

 surface of the soil, there will be great loss by evaporation. Dr. 

 Voelcker says, "that the loss by evaporation of ammonia is very 

 small, when the manurD is spread on the ground. The loss of 

 anunonia is chiefly when the manure is piled, and rapid fermen- 

 tation is going on, and great loss is by washing of rains." It 

 would seem that if long or coarse is to be applied, it should be 

 covered by soil. The true method will be to follow the example 

 of the painter, who mixed brains with his colors. The farmer 

 must use his brains as to the time and manner of applying his 

 manure. 



Mr. Gilbert said that it had been his practice for the past ten 

 years to stable his cattle at night in summer as well as winter, and 

 by having the barn well supplied with dried loam or muck, he 

 tliinks but very little is lost. A stock of cattle is, however, not 

 the only source for obtaining a supply of manure. Swine will 



