AGE AND KIND OF ANIMAL 153 



power for digesting cellulose materials. Horse ma- 

 nure readily ferments and gives off ammonia products. 

 When the manure becomes dry, fire-fanging results, 

 due to rapid fermentation followed by the growth of 

 fungus bodies. Horse manure is generally considered 

 of but little value. This is because it so readilv de- 

 teriorates in value and when used it has frequently 

 lost much of its nitrogen by fermentation. When 

 mixed with cow manure, both manures are improved, 

 the rapid fermentation of the horse manure is checked, 

 and at the same time the cow manure is improved in 

 texture. It is estimated that horses void about three- 

 fifths of their manure in the stable. A well-fed horse 

 at ordinarily hard work will produce about 50 pounds 

 of manure per day, of which about one-fourth is urine. 

 A horse will produce about 6 tons of manure per year 

 in the stable. If properly preserved and used it is a 

 valuable, quick-acting manure, but if allowed to fer- 

 ment and leach it will give poor results. 



183. Sheep Manure. — Sheep produce a small 

 amount of concentrated manure, containing less water 

 than that produced by an}- other domestic animal. It 

 readily ferments and is a quick-acting fertilizer. 

 When mixed with horse and cow manure the mixture 

 ferments more evenly. Because of the small amount 

 of water, sheep manure is very concentrated in composi- 

 tion. It is valuable for general gardening purposes, or 

 whenever a concentrated quick-acting manure is desired. 



