The Composition and Use of Fertilizers. 239 



Definition of Stable or Farmyard Manure. — Stable jor 

 farmyard manure consists of the solid and liquid excrements of 

 animals fed upon the farm, mixed or unmixed with straw and 

 waste products of the farm. 



Variation in Composition of Farm Manures. — The compo- 

 sition of stable manure varies greatly, depending on several con- 

 ditions, among which the following may be mentioned: 



(1) The kind and age of the animal producing it. 



(2) The quantity and quality of the food eaten. 



(3) The character and amount of material used for litter. 



(4) The length of time the manure has been kept. 



(5) The manner in which it has been cared for. 



Influence of Kind of Animal on Manure. — Horse Manure 

 is difficult to mix thoroughly with litter on account of its being 

 very dry. It is called a " hot " manure, because, on account of 

 its loose texture, it easily undergoes decomposition or fermenta- 

 tion, producing a high degree of heat. On this account it is very 

 liable to lose more or less of its nitrogen in the form of ammonia. 

 It should have very careful treatment in respect to the litter used 

 and also in the application of preservatives. It is a quick-acting 

 manure. Horses are usually fed with greater uniformity in re- 

 spect to character of food than other farm animals and thero is, 

 therefore, greater uniformity in the composition of horse manure. 

 The urine of horses is particularly rich in nitrogen and potash. 

 It has been estimated that horses excrete somewhat over half their 

 manure in the stable, or, on an average, about six tons a year. 



Sheep Manure is quite dry and is commonly the richest of farm- 

 produced manures. Like horse manure, it undergoes fermenta- 

 tion easily and is classed as a " hot " or quick-acting manure. It 

 is similarly very liable to lose ammonia. 



Pig Manure varies greatly in composition, but is generally rich, 

 though containing considerable water. In decomposing, it pro- 

 duces little heat and is, therefore, called a " cold " manure. It is 

 classed as a slow-acting manure. "When pigs arc well fed, their 

 liquid excrement is rich in nitrogen. 



Cow Manure contains as a rule, less fertilizing materials than 

 any of the preceding manures. It contains a large amount of 

 water, and, in decomposing, generates little heat and is slow acting. 

 A well-fed cow, producing milk, excretes 20 to 30 pounds of liquid 

 manure and 40 to 50 pounds of solid manure. About one-half of 

 the nitrogen produced is in the urine. 



