The Composition and Use of Fertilizers. 



245 



tie, nine pounds; horses, six and one-half pounds. In addition to 

 using litter, it is wise to use some other materials for absorbing 

 and preserving the manure. Among such materials are gypsum 

 (land plaster), kainit, acid phosphate, etc. 



Gypsum (land plaster) has the power of holding ammonia and 

 preventing its loss. It must, however, be moist in order to be 

 effective. The best way to use gypsum is to sprinkle it on the 

 moist dung or urine. Stables in which the excrements are prop- 

 erly treated by this means are noticeably free from offensive 

 odors, as a rule. 



Kainit sprinkled upon manure tends to check fermentation and 

 also to attract and hold moisture. One precaution should be 

 observed in the use of kainit; it should be kept from under the 

 feet of animals, since injury may result to the feet of animals 

 treading on it. It is, therefore, best applied to fresh manure 

 and covered with litter. 



Acid Phosphate contains a considerable proportion of gypsum 

 and, to this extent, its action is like that of gypsum. The soluble 

 phosphate in the acid phosphate tends to unite with ammonia 

 and prevent its loss and also to check fermentation. 



A mixture of acid phosphate and gypsum is strongly recoil 

 mended by some, using them in about equal proportions. 



For average animals, the following amounts of different 

 preservatives may be used daily for each individual : 



<E | & 



05 ' Kf\ & 



fe»5 £ . .£P . £ <b 



Kind of Preservative. <dz ©a £5 «2 



§a §§ §§ §f 



o ' o o o 



fa fa fa fa 



Gypsum (land-plaster) iy 2 1%, A>/ 2 ZV2 



Acid phosphate 1 1%. 3 2V 2 



Kainit 1% 1% 4 3^ 



When a mixture of superphosphate and gypsum is used, take 

 one-half or one-third of the amounts indicated above. One great 

 advantage in using acid phosphate or kainit is that one is adding 

 to the manure an important form of plant food, in which the 

 manure is naturally deficient. The price at which one can get 

 these materials must determine whether their use is economical 

 or not. 



Mixture of different manures, such as cow and horse manures, 

 is advantageous, since one undergoes fermentation slowly and 

 the other rapidly. When mixed, the conditions of moisture are 

 more easily controlled. 



