126 Bureau of Farmers' Institutes. 



gen, until the manure had heated up. I do not remember the 

 degree of heat it has to reach to change nitrogen to ammonia, and 

 thus allow it to escape. 



The question brought out a variety of opinions as well as several 

 side questions as to the best way to utilize manure, opinions differ- 

 ing somewhat. 



Question. — "Will not manure spread on top, hold moisture as 

 well as that which we plow under ? 



Mr. Smith. — It probably would hold surface moisture, but we 

 have two objects in view when we plow under manure — the first 

 is to add fertility to the soil for the benefit of the crop which 

 is to follow; second, to furnish humus to hold moisture to liberate 

 the plant food already in the soil, as well as that in the manure. 



To Mr. Cook. — How do you apply manure? 



Answer. — During the winter we draw out the manure every 

 day and spread it where we are to grow corn the next year. That 

 made during the summer we use to top-dress grass land. We use 

 a disc harrow on our corn ground, which has been plowed six inches 

 deep. I want to stir those furrows just as deeply as I can and 

 not turn them upside down. 



Question. — If manure is drawn out every day in winter, will 

 it lose any of its value? 



Mr. Cook. — No; unless it has been spread on a very steep 

 hillside. In that case, should heavy rains come, some of it may 

 be washed down into the valley. As a rule, however, there will 

 be no loss. Such has been the result of our experiments and 

 observations. 



Question. — Shall I pile or spread my stable manure in the 

 field? 



Mr. Smith. — What do you say, farmers? 



A Farmer. — Spread it. 



Another Farmer. — It will depend. If the land is level, spread 

 it; if rolling, leave it in piles. 



Mr. Smith. — As a rule, manure will not waste when spread. 

 If vou were to draw out a load of manure to-day and spread it on 

 this snow, do you think there would be any loss? 



The Farmer. — It would depend on the lay of the land. 



Mr. Smith. — We increased the yield of hay on a quite hilly 

 field where we drew out and spread the manure every day in 

 winter. We increased the yield of hay from one to two tons per 

 acre. The trouble is, when manure is left in piles, the farmer 



