BARNYARD MANURE 



95 



While these losses may be higher than would occur in mixed 

 manures, it is evident that it is very easy for manure to lose 

 one half its fertilizing value when exposed in piles around 

 the barnyard. 



105. Fermentation of manure. Manure piled in loose heaps 

 ferments rapidly. This is particularly true of piles containing 

 horse manure from which much ammonia escapes. Advantage 



FIG. 41. Education makes the difference 



The buildings shown here and in Fig. 40 are on the same farm. Wh'en this young man, 



a graduate of an agricultural college, came into possession of this farm he hauled to the 



fields 600 loads of accumulated manure from the barn and barnyard 



is taken of this fact in making hot beds for forcing vegetables. 

 When fermentation goes on rapidly, large quantities of am- 

 monium carbonate escape into the air and the nitrogen is thus 

 lost, instead of being transformed into nitrates for the use of 

 plants. The presence of air stimulates bacterial growth, while 

 the absence of air retards it. If manure is kept moist and well 

 compacted, fermentation is held in check. The fact that cow 

 manure is usually wet and compact explains its rather slow rate 

 of fermentation in comparison with horse manure. 



