Conservation of Stable Manures 



309 



tor soil fertilization and soil improvement. Each of the processes 

 has certain distinct advantages and disadvantages. The major ob- 

 jective of snch conservation is prevention of the nitrogen losses which 

 nsnally take place in the decomposition of manures. These losses 

 can be threefold: (a) volatilization of the nitrogen as ammonia, (b) 



20 



5 10 15 



Moisture content, per cent 



Fig. 123. Influence of moisture upon nitrate formation (from Traaen). 



losses of nitrogen by denitrification of the nitrate to atmospheric 

 nitrogen, (c) losses of nitrogen by leaching of the nitrate and of 

 soluble organic forms. Some of the phosphate and potassium in 

 the manure may also be lost by leaching, as a result of careless 

 handling. Another purpose in devising special methods of treating 

 manures is conservation of as much of the organic matter as possible 

 (Table 67). 



Among the different processes of conserving manures, those desig- 

 nated as "hot manure" and "cold manure" are the most common. 

 The "hot fermentation" process has recently received particular at- 

 tention. When the manure is first permitted to undergo aerobic de- 

 composition for a few days, to allow a rapid rise in temperature, and 



