BUILDINGS, AND THE MANUFACTURE OF MANURE. 79 



to rainfall, a constant supply will be necessary, and must be 

 used, otherwise the beasts will suffer or the liquor will escape, 

 carrying with it a certain though small proportion only of 

 valuable matter. The ingredients of fresh manure are neither 

 very volatile nor soluble, consequently the high-coloured liquid 

 which oozes from the fold-yard often looks more potent than it 

 is ; still, it should be retained, and when proper care is exercised, 

 first in the form of the yards, and next in the distribution of 

 litter, this can be done. When voided, excreta are not in a state 

 of putrescence, and if properly incorporated with litter and 

 sufficiently compressed, little or no fermentation takes place in 

 the open yard. This is shown by the action of the air upon 

 such manure when removed from the fold and placed in a heap. 

 The fermentative process commences at once, and a few weeks 

 effect a great change in the bulk and appearance of the manure. 

 The manure is in a comparatively fresh state until exposed to 

 the atmosphere. We are led to dwell on this subject in 

 consequence of some incorrect views, as we think, promulgated 

 in a lecture delivered to the Bakewell Farmers' Club by Mr. A. 

 M'Dougall, who quotes Sprengel as to the supposed loss manure 

 sustains in its manufacture. If urine is left exposed to 

 atmospheric influence, no doubt putrefaction occurs, and volatile 

 ammonia results ; but if the urine is either collected in a tank, 

 or, which is better, allowed to run into the yard and become 

 absorbed by the litter, there is no loss whatever, for reasons that 

 will be explained. 



Whilst, therefore, strongly recommending the use of disin- 

 fectants, such as the compound prepared by M'Dougall, and 

 which comprizes sulphurous and carbolic acids, to sprinkle the 

 floors of cow-houses, pig-yards, &c., we cannot agree in the 

 necessity for its use, either in the shelter sheds or open folds ; 

 although possibly such compound might be valuable to dust 

 into the manure heap when being turned. We have reason to 

 believe that M'Dougall's Patent Disinfecting Powder is valuable 

 in a sanitary and economical aspect, and no stock-keeper should 

 neglect its use. All we maintain is, that, foldyard manure not 

 being being in a putrescent state, such an agent is not required. 

 Whilst on this subject, we may be pardoned for explaining the 

 action of the disinfectant, which is a compound of two salts, 



