80 Report of the Acting Director and Chemist of the 



Care and Preservation of Farm-Manures. — In earing for farm 

 manures, the main object is to prevent the loss of compounds con- 

 taining nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid. From what has been 

 said above in connection with the sources of loss of fertilizing 

 materials in farm-manures, it can be seen that the sources of loss 

 can be avoided by absorbing the liquid manure, by regulating the 

 process of fermentation and by protecting the manure from leach- 

 ing. We will consider briefly some of the ways in which these 

 objects can be accomplished. 



The use of litter absorbs the liquid manure, preserves it to some 

 extent from immediate decomposition, and also holds more or less 

 of the ammonia produced by fermentation, thus preventing its 

 escape into the air. Of the materials in common use peat has the 

 largest power of absorbing and holding liquids ; peat-moss comes 

 next ; spent tan and saw-dust follow ; then come straw and similar 

 materials. It has been given as a safe rule to follow that the litter 

 should at least be equal to one-third of the dry matter of the food 

 consumed. The following daily amounts for different animals have 

 been suggested : Sheep, three-fifths of a pound of litter ; cattle, 9 

 pounds ; horses, 6|- 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. 



Gypswin (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 wliich the excrements are properly 

 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 ajjplied 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. 



