408 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



On the basis of prices charged for commercial fertilizers it is 

 estimated that the average value of the manure annually produced 

 by each horse or mule is $27, by each head of cattle $19, by each 

 hog $12, and by each sheep $2. Probably less than half these 

 values are actually realized in practice. 



The urine is by far the most valuable part of the excreta of 

 animals. It is especially rich in readily available nitrogen, which 

 rapidly escapes into the air if special precautions are not taken to 

 prevent its loss. It is also rich in potash, but deficient in phos- 

 phoric acid. It should as a rule, be used in connection with the 

 solid dung, the one thus supplying the deficiencies of the other and 

 making a more evenly balanced manure. 



Barnyard manure is a very variable substance, its composition 

 and value depending mainly upon (1) age and kind of animal, (2) 

 quantity and quality of food, (3) proportion of litter, and (4) 

 method of management and age. Ordinary barnyard manure prop- 

 erly cared for may be assumed to contain on the average one-half 

 per cent each of nitrogen and potash and one- third per cent of 

 phosphoric acid. 



Mature animals, neither gaining nor losing weight, excrete 

 practically all the fertilizing constituents consumed in the food. 

 Growing animals may excrete as little as 50 per cent of the fertiliz- 

 ing constituents of the food, milch cows excrete from 65 to 85 per 

 cent, fattening or working animals from 85 to 95 per cent. As 

 regards the fertilizing value of equal weights of manure in its nor- 

 mal condition, farm animals probably stand in the following order: 

 Poultry, sheep, pigs, horses, cows. 



The term farm manures in its broadest sense is used to desig- 

 nate all materials (not included under green manures and com- 

 mercial fertilizers) that may be made or accumulated on a farm, 

 and which can be used for improving the fertility of the land, but 

 the term is most commonly used to designate the excrements of 

 domestic animals. 



The term stable manure is used to designate manure just as it 

 comes from the stables, and which is used in the fresh state. Yard or 

 barnyard manure is the term applied to manure which has accumu- 

 lated, or been kept for some time in a pile in the barnyard. The 

 name of fresh manure is applied to manure that is only a few hours 

 old, and as it comes from the stable. Rotted manure is the name 

 used to designate manure that has gone through considerable fer- 

 mentation, and more or less disintegrated. Mixed manure is the 

 excrements of different species of animals, with the bedding or other 

 material thrown together. Manure from a single species of animal 

 is designated by the kind of animal producing it. 



Perhaps one of the chief sources of profit on a well kept farm 

 is the manure obtained from stock. No farmer is desirous of farm- 

 ing economically who neglects this very important matter. Unless 

 properly cared for, manure is sure rapidly to lose much of its value. 



All manure does not possess the same agricultural value, neither 

 does the excrement from one animal possess the same value at dif- 



