76 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



against the first it is necessary to see that nothing leaches from 

 the manure-pile, or, at least, if it does, that it is put back. A 

 manure-heap may be arranged so that there will be drainage 

 from it into a tank, or, if on a clay soil, to an excavation, so 

 puddled that it will not leak, and this liquid dipped or pumped 

 back upon the heap. The leaching which causes loss is where 

 the barn-yard is so located that the water from the eaves of the 

 barn, or from adjoining land, flows through it, carrying away 

 the soluble portions of the manure. If the compost heap is kept 

 in proper shape, and is of sufficient depth, the rainfall will not 

 be likely to leach it, and will be an advantage. 



The shape of a manure-heap has much to do with its condi- 

 tion. If thrown up loose, in a conical heap, fermentation will 

 be so excessive as to cause a large loss of ammonia. The rem- 

 edy for this is to make the heap flat ; and, whenever you wish 

 to check fermentation, tramp it down solid. By this means you 

 can regulate the degree of fermentation perfectly. 



If any one doubts this, let him try the following experiment : 

 Draw out a cord of good horse-manure, and fork it out of the 

 wagon into a pile six feet high, built up, with a regular slope, 

 to a point at the top. In about twenty-four hours you will find 

 a violent fermentation, the heap will smoke like a chimney, and 

 there will be a pungent smell of ammonia, which will extend, 

 perhaps, a quarter of a mile, and last for several days. After 

 the fermentation has subsided, if you examine the pile you will 

 find all the upper part of it dry and fire-fanged. If you attempt 

 to fork it, you will find it in dry. flakes, which will adhere to 

 the fork-tines, and it will be in such a condition that it will be 

 impossible to spread it evenly. If, at the same time, you put a 

 cord of the same manure beside this, but build it in a flat pile, 

 three or four feet high, with perpendicular sides, and tramped 

 down as solid as you can, there will be very little escape of 

 ammonia, but a mild fermentation will go on, and when you open 

 the pile you will find it fine and moist, and in the best possible 

 condition for application to the soil. 



With a little care and intelligence the farmer can guard 

 against loss from either leaching or evaporation, but carelessness 



