84 The Sugar-Beet in America 



that do but little work and eat much rich food produce 

 the best manure. 



Liquid manure is richer in plant-food elements than 

 the solid, but it lacks the organic matter so beneficial to 

 most soils. Good husbandry requires the saving of both 

 the liquid and the solid manure, which can easily be kept 

 together if sufficient bedding material is used to absorb 

 the liquid. 



Handling farm manure. 



Experience has demonstrated that the best way to 

 handle manure is to haul it out and spread it on the 

 land while it is fresh. This prevents any serious loss from 

 leaching or fermentation, which are the methods by which 

 manure deteriorates. When left carelessly exposed to 

 the weather for six months, manure loses about half its 

 value. This loss can be overcome in a large measure by 

 proper storage without expensive equipment. The plant- 

 foods contained in manure are readily soluble and but 

 little rain is required to dissolve and carry them away. 

 If manure is left scattered in the open yard, -it is wet 

 through by every rain and the greater part of the plant- 

 food is washed out before the season is over. If manure 

 has to be stored for any length of time, it should be piled so 

 that it cannot be leached. This may be done by putting 

 it under cover or by making the pile of proper shape. 



Manure is filled with bacteria and fungi which are 

 constantly at work. Some of these make the manure 

 heat, causing a loss of considerable nitrogen. Since these 

 destructive organisms work best in manure that is fairly 

 loose and dry, their action is most easily prevented by 



