42 FERTILITY AND FERTILIZER HINTS 



can penetrate the anaerobic fermentation takes place. The aerobic 

 bacteria convert the nitrogen present in the organic matter of 

 the manure, into ammonia, in which form it passes off into the 

 atmosphere. Because of the great amount of carbon dioxide 

 formed during this action some of the ammonia is converted into 

 carbonate of ammonia which is also volatile. 



2. The anaerobic bacteria convert ammonia salts to nitrogen, 

 v^ome of these bacteria have the power of reducing nitrates to 

 nitrites, and to ammonia. The anaerobic bacteria do not bring 

 about such losses as the aerobic bacteria, so it is important to 

 keep the manure heap well compacted to prevent the action of 

 the aerobic organisms. 



Keep the Manure Moist. — Dry manure ferments more readily 

 than wet manure. To prevent active fermentation the manure 

 heap should be kept moist. It is not necessary to add enough 

 water to leach it. Water excludes the air and promote anaerobic 

 action which is beneficial.* 



The temperature in fermenting horse, sheep and poultry ma- 

 nure often goes higher than 150° Fahrenheit (65° Centigrade). 

 The highest temperature is usually near the surface as the fer- 

 mentation is most active there. 



Composting manure is helpful in increasing the availability of 

 that plant food. It also kills many weed seeds. There is less 

 loss of plant food when the manure is applied to the soil fresh, 

 than when allowed to rot. It is not generally convenient to haul 

 the manure from the stable to the land as other work is of 

 more importance, so that the manure has to be stored until 

 the regular farm work becomes slack. When manure is com- 

 posted it should be kept compact and moist and the heap should 

 be shaped to shed water. A layer of earth on the top of the 

 manure compost will tend to absorb some of the gases. 



Voelcker^ gives the following as the composition of fresh and 

 rotted manure. 



' I.yon and Fippin, Soils. 



