MANURES, THEIR KINDS AND USES. 31 



drained, especially under-drained. If badly drained and 

 presenting 'a slope in any direction, the washing surface- 

 water would carry off a large part of the soluble manure 

 from the surface. 



Manure for close crops, whenever a large supply per- 

 mits, should be applied broadcast, by preference; but 

 generally economy and the desire for a vigorous start 

 will demand its application in the drill. Only in the case 

 of plants standing far apart, as melons, is manuring in 

 the hill practicable, unless only a part of the manure is 

 so applied. The great majority of the roots would soon 

 extend beyond its limits, and the plant would suffer in 

 the later stages of growth. 



BARN-YARD MANURE. 



This consists of the mixed droppings of such animals 

 as are allowed to run in an open lot, the surface of which 

 is strewn with more or less of absorbents. It may be re- 

 garded as a combination of the solid and fluid excrements 

 of the different animals, and is of variable quality, owing 

 to waste by leaching rains. If horses and mules alone 

 are enclosed, its value would be that of an inferior stable 

 manure. Notwithstanding its variable value, it is often 

 used as a standard. 



COW MANURE. 



Although the fresh, solid excrement of the horse is 

 richer in ammonia than that of neat cattle, the latter, 

 on the other hand, is not subject to loss by heating. It 

 contains more urea (supplying nitrogen) in the urine, and 

 there is a greater quantity both of solid and liquid excre- 

 ment voided; hence the manure of a cow must be con- 

 sidered more valuable than that of a horse, particularly 

 when the former has had nutritious food, 



