BUILDINGS, AND THE MANUFACTURE OF MANURE. 81 



times, in order to secure great uniformity, the heap is turned, 

 and during the process M'Dougall's powder might be freely 

 scattered, as it would probably be useful in decomposing the 

 compounds alluded to, and possibly saving a small quantity of 

 ammonia — very little, however, as the bulk that has been set 

 free in the decomposing process is already united with the 

 products of vegetable decay, forming highly soluble but non- 

 volatile compounds. These are liable to be washed away ; hence 

 the necessity for placing the manure on an absorbent, and the 

 utility of the soil covering. It will be seen from what has been 

 advanced that the danger is not from volatilisation, but from solu- 

 tion ; therefore, the sooner decomposed manure is spread upon the 

 surface, the better for its safety ; once there, the drenching shower 

 may work in elements which the grateful soil will give account of. 

 The wind and sun can only remove moisture, and not injure. 



In some situations, where the rainfall is considerable, and 

 where litter is scarce, it will be found impossible to absorb the 

 moisture as it falls, and in such cases a drain from the centre 

 of the yard is required to convey the liquid into a tank, from 

 whence it should be carted or pumped on to the land. Such 

 liquid in reality contains very little manurial matter, because 

 the ingredients of fresh manure are, as has been stated, not 

 readily soluble. Still there must be a portion of the urine, and 

 it is important that, whether more or less, such should not be 

 wasted. We have no great faith in tanks or liquid-manure 

 carts — the first are seldom water-tight, and the use of the latter 

 is frequently neglected; and therefore we prefer, where it is 

 possible, the process of absorption by litter. The efficaciousness 

 of the latter could be greatly increased if reduced into short 

 lengths, as the absorbing surface is thus greatly increased. In 

 the case of box- made manure, the value of litter when in short 

 lengths, is very much enhanced, and the expense of reduction 

 will be repaid in the saving of straw and the more perfect 

 character of the manure, which can often be cut out like cheese, 

 and is, when thus made, exceedingly rich. With properly 

 constructed yards, and due attention as to the distribution of 

 litter, good manure may be made, and all the moisture absorbed — 

 manure that, according to the proportion of fsecal matter it con- 

 tains, will be found as valuable as that which is made under cover. 



