182 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



it, however, is slow in its action as a deodorizer. One of 

 the most active and cheapest deodorizers is sulpliate of iron, 

 or green coj)peras. Tliis material can be had at a cost of 

 three cents per pound ; and we might quote a familiar adage, 

 and say, "A little goes a great way." This substance is 

 soluble in two parts of cold water, or three-fourths its weight 

 of boiling water. It can readily be applied in a fluid state, 

 and will be found to be efficient in destroying the ill odor 

 so objectionable in the use of this manure. The objection 

 raised to its use is, that it combines with the phosphoric 

 acid of the manure, and forms an insoluble salt of iron, thus 

 withholding from the plant one of the most valuable elements 

 contained in the manure. If the odor be killed, we should 

 feel inclined to risk the loss of a portion of the phosphorus. 

 We might also mention in this connection the use of muri- 

 atic acid, also a cheap agent, and acting almost instanta- 

 neously in its combination with the ammonia evolved in the 

 fermentation of the manure. When the manure has lain in 

 the tank or cistern until it is sufficiently fermented and 

 deodorized, it should then be taken out and mingled in just 

 proportions with an absorbent, which will serve the double 

 purpose of putting the material into convenient shape to 

 handle, and at the same time act as a divisor for an even 

 distribution of this active and valuable fertilizer. The next 

 question is. What shall this absorbent be ? This will depend 

 on the facilities at hand, or most easily procurable by the 

 farmer. Dry clay, road-dust, the vegetable refuse of the 

 farm, dried peat or muck, especially the latter, which in 

 itself is a deodorizer, and a most valuable manure, from its 

 consisting almost entirely, in a dried state, of organic matter. 

 We have used very largely charcoal-braise, and, as the result 

 of our own experience, place it in the highest rank, first as 

 a deodorizer, secondly as an absorbent. Most readily does it 

 act as an absorbent, and will fix the volatile ammonia with- 

 out the use of muriatic acid or ground gypsum. Any quan- 

 tity of this material can be had in the charcoal-burning 

 regions, and at an expense simply of the labor of handling 

 and cost of freight. For garden use, and where the soil is of 

 stiff and light-colored clays, it acts most admirably in lighten- 

 ing up the soil, rendering it more friable, and also blackening 

 its color, thereby attracting the rays of the sun, and warming 



