The Manuring of Vineyards. 63 



Kraal or Stable Manure. 



This material, produced on the farm, is the most economical and, 

 perhaps, the best of all manures. Every farmer should produce as 

 much manure on his farm as possible. 



The composition and value of farmyard manure is affected by 

 several factors, such as the composition of the materials used for 

 feed and bedding, the kind of animals producing the manure, the 

 am.ount of water in the manure (the drier the richer), and the age 

 and treatment of the manure. 



American authorities state, as a general average, that fresh 

 mixed cattle and horse manure contains about 10 lb. nitrogen, 6 lb. 

 phosphoric oxide, and 10 to 12 lb. potash per ton. 



The keeping of live stock to consume products and convert them 

 into manure has long been recognized as one of the easiest and most 

 efficient methods of maintaining the fertility of the soil. A large 

 proportion of the plant-foods eaten by the animals is recovered in 

 the manure, and is returned to the soil in a readily available form 

 for crops; further, it adds a great deal of valuable humus to the soil. 



It is impossible to discuss the subject fully here, and for more 

 detailed information the reader is referred to the bulletin, " Farm- 

 yard Manures," Local Series No. 79, by T. D. Hall (obtainable from 

 the Department of Agriculture, Pretoria, at Id.). 



The outstanding points to be borne in mind are, firstly, that the 

 liquid excrement of farm animals contains more valuable plant-food 

 than the solid, so that great care should be observed to prevent loss 

 of the liquid. Liberal amounts of straw and little or other absorbent 

 material should be used for bedding, so that the liquid will be 

 absorbed. Secondly, the handling and storage of the manure before 

 it is carried to the lands is of great importance. 



If it is carelessly thrown into a heap and left exposed to the 

 weather, very serious losses take place, due to fermentation nnd 

 leaching. In an experiment at Cornell University, it was found that 

 4000 lb. of manure (horse) after five months exposure lost 2230 lb. 

 weight, and the material left was worth but little more than one-third 

 of its original value. Many other investigations have confirmed this. 

 To avoid such losses, the manure should be allowed to accumulate in 

 covered sheds in compact and moist condition, and carefully watched 

 to see that it does not heat and ferment. In the case of kraals, 

 abundance of straw, chaff, vine shoots, etc., should be carted into 

 the kraal, and a cement pit should be built near the lowest point, so 

 that any liquid which drains off will be collected in the pit, and can 

 be baled out and spread over the surface of the kraal again. 



The farmer should take every possible precaution to get the most 

 out of his manure. The money value of the annual loss throughout 

 the country due to improper methods of handling runs into millions 

 of pounds. 



It should be noted that manure is not a " complete " or properly 

 balance fertilizer when used alone, but requires additional phosphoric 

 oxide to balance it up (see the formulae below). 



Eight to nine tons per morgen will supply as much nitrogen and 

 potash as we require, but less than half as much phosphoric oxide. 



Assuming that the manure contains 10 lb. nitrogen, 6 lb. phos- 

 phoric oxide, and 10 lb, potash per ton, its plant-food value to-day 

 is approximately 15s. to 16s. per ton, and it has a great additional 

 value due to the humus it contains. 



