SOILS AND FERTILIZERS 415 



the kind and quantity of absorbents used; (e) the management of 

 the manure. 



Each species of domestic animal produces a manure of differ- 

 ent quality, and with distinct characteristics. The most marked 

 difference, as noted by its composition, is in the amount of water 

 and organic matter which they contain. 



Cattle Manure. Cow or steer manure contains considerably 

 more water than that from other domestic animals. It ferments 

 and heats slowly, and is ranked as a cold manure. A cow will pro- 

 duce 40 to 50 pounds of dung or solid manure per day, and 20 to 

 30 pounds of urine or liquid excrement. A cow fed a balanced 

 ration will void about one-half of the nitrogen in the urine, about 

 one-fourth in the milk, and the balance in the solid excrements. 



Horse Manure. Horse manure contains less water than cattle 

 manure, and as the horse has less power to digest cellulose, the ma- 

 nure is more fibrous. Horse manure ferments easily, and hence is 

 called a hot or quick manure. In fermenting, horse manure gives 

 off ammonia or nitrogenous products, and rapidly deteriorates in 

 quality. Because of the rapid fermentation of horse manure, it 

 easily becomes dry and fires. To prevent fire-fanging and loss 

 through fermentation, horse manure, when in piles, should be kept 

 very compact and moist. Mixing horse manure with cow manure 

 will aid in preserving it, and contribute to the value of both for gen- 

 eral purposes. The quality of quick fermentation and heating makes 

 horse manure especially valuable for use in hotbeds, mushroom beds 

 and for cold, wet soils. Horse manure is more bulky, or weighs less 

 per cubic foot, than cow manure. A well-fed horse will produce 

 about fifty pounds of manure per day, about one-fourth of which 

 is urine. 



Hog Manure. Hog manure is a wet, cold manure. It ferments 

 slowly. Its composition varies considerably, depending upon the 

 food consumed. It is much like cow manure in its general char- 

 acters, but usually much richer. A pig produces 10 to 15 pounds 

 of manure per day. 



Sheep Manure. Sheep manure is usually richer and dryer 

 than that from any other domestic animal except poultry. It fer- 

 ments easily, and is classed as a quick-acting manure, but keeps well 

 when allowed to accumulate in pens where it is tramped hard by the 

 animals. When placed in piles or composts it is benefited by mix- 

 ing with cow manure. It is especially valuable for use on flowers 

 or vegetables, when a quick-acting manure is desired. A sheep pro- 

 duces about four pounds of manure per day. 



Poultry Manure. Poultry manure is the richest of farm man- 

 ures, but, like all others, it is variable in composition. It is rich in 

 all the fertilizing elements, but especially so in nitrogen, which is 

 due in part to the fact that the urinary secretions are semi-solid, and 

 voided with the solid excrements. Poultry manure ferments easily, 

 and is quick acting. It loses nitrogen and ammonia very easily, if 

 not properly cared for. It should be kept dry, and if possible also 

 mixed with some absorbent and preservative. Acid phosphate, phos- 



