P'ARM MANURES 



43 



Rotted 

 Per cent. 



Water 



Soluble organic matter. . . . 

 Soluble organic nitrogen. . 

 Soluble inorganic matter- . 

 Insoluble organic matter- . 

 Insoluble inorganic matter 



75-42 

 3-71 

 0.30 

 1.47 



12.82 

 6-58 



It is seen that manure that is composted contains the fertilizer 

 elements in a more available form than in fresh manure. 



The organic matter is decreased by allowing manure to rot. 

 Snyder^ says : "A ton of composted manure is obtained from 

 2,800 pounds of stable manure." There are of course some 

 losses of nitrogen in composting manure, the extent of these 

 losses depending upon the compactness and dryness of the ma- 

 nure. 



The principal benefits derived from composting manure are ; 

 the improvement of the physical condition, and decomposition 

 takes place in the manure that ordinarily would have to be 

 performed in the soil. 



Sometimes manure is composted with earth, sod, leaves and 

 wastes from the farm. 



Store Manure Under Cover. — Whenever manure is left out of 

 doors exposed to the rain losses occur. Many farmers preserve 

 manure in different ways. Some use covered yards where the 

 stock are allowed to exercise and the manure is kept compact 

 by the tramping of the animals. In this practice bedding should 

 be used to absorb all of the liquids and to allow the animals 

 to be comfortable. The site should be well drained and kept 

 dry. The manure from sheep, hogs, young stock, etc., is often 

 preserved in this way. Some farmers keep the manure in cel- 

 lars under the stable. The fermentation of manure in the cellar 

 of a stable is liable to produce foul odors and is especially ob- 

 jectionable in dairy barns. Another method of storing ma- 

 nure that is used in the older farming sections, especially in 

 dairies, is to build covered cement pits just outside the bam and 

 dump the manure from trucks. The liquid portions arc drained 



' Soils and Fertilizers. 



