FARM MANURE 143 



173. Factors which Influence the Composition and 

 Value of Manure. — 



I. Kind and amount of absorbents used. 



II. Kind and amount of food consumed. 



III. Age and kind of animals. 



IV. Methods employed in collecting, preserving 

 and utilizing the manure. 



Anv one of the above, as well as many minor factors, 

 may influence the composition and value of stable 

 manure. 



174. Absorbents. — The most universal absorbent 

 is straw. Wheat straw and barley straw have about 

 the same manurial value. Oat straw, however, is 

 more valuable. The average composition of straw 

 and other absorbents is as follows : 



Straw. Leaves. Peat. Sawdust. 



Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 



Nitrogen 0.40 0.6 1.0 0.1 



Phosphoric acid 0.36 0.3 •• 0.2 



Potash 0.80 0.3 .. 0.4 



When a large amount of straw is used the per cent, 

 of nitrogen and phosphoric acid is decreased, while the 

 per cent, of potash is slightly increased. Sawdust 

 and leaves both make the manure more dilute. Dry 

 peat makes the manure richer in nitrogen. The ab- 

 sorbent powers of these different materials are about as 

 follows : 13 



