[MACFARLANE] IMPROVED METHOD OF PRODUCING MANURE 89 
profitably sold as moss manure. By the above described method of 
manipulation this manure acquires a muclt higher fertilizing power 
than is possessed by night soil or barn-yard manure, and, being abso- 
lutely inoffensive, can be packed in bags or barrels and transported 
to great distances. 
The drawing shows the arrangement above described as a double 
closet for use outside of any dwelling by both male and female inmates. 
Of course, it may be constructed singly, or placed in an outhouse, 
shed or cellar, in such a manner as may be found most convenient. 
The arrangement can also take the form of a cabinet and be placed 
in any inner apartment of a dwelling, and moved from one apart- 
ment to another. When used in places where it is exposed to great 
cold there is danger that the contents of the receptacle may freeze, 
but this may be prevented by the introduction of the moss in a proper 
manner. As a rule, it is best to begin using the dry moss late in 
the fall, in which case it resists freezing until the spring. When 
properly attended to there is no necessity for removing the manure 
oftener than once a year. ‘The best time for removal is late in the 
fall, when it can be taken to a special floor for further treatment, or 
stored anywhere until spring. 
When the moss or other absorbent is used repeatedly and for a 
long time, there is danger of a slight escape of ammonia during the 
time when the manure is exposed to the drying process. This may 
be prevented by previously mixing with the absorbent a small pro- 
portion of such chemicals as are capable of fixing the ammonia. For 
this reason I prefer to prepare an absorbent made up of the following 
quantities : — Moss litter, turf powder, or peat dust, 100 lbs.; ground 
gypsum or land plaster, 20 lbs.; copperas, 2 lbs. German authorities 
recommend an addition to the dry moss of two or five per cent oil of 
vitriol in a diluted state, which not only causes the ammonia to be 
retained, but occasions the destruction of all germs of infectious 
diseases. Possibly for both purposes an admixture of, say, 10 per 
cent superphosphate of lime would be effective, while at the same 
time an unusually valuable fertilizer would be produced. 
As has been stated, the use of moss litter or peat dust for deodor- 
izing purposes has much increased of late, especially in Germany, but 
so far as I am aware, the mixture has always been collected in a 
movable tub or pail or other receiver placed under the seat, and not 
in a receptacle such as above described. The necessity of frequently 
removing such receivers and their contents is always a cause of much 
expense, and does not always secure cleanliness. Besides, no oppor- 
tunity is afforded under that system of properly saturating the dry 
Sec. III., 1902. 6. 
