FARM MANURE 



547 



manure was sampled for analysis when put out in January and 

 again when taken up in April : 



TABLE 112. COMPOSITION OF STEER MANURE BEFORE AND AFTER EXPOSURE 

 FOR THREE MONTHS (Pounds per Ton) 



The results show that practically all of the potassium is water- 

 soluble, and that more than half of this and two thirds of the water- 

 soluble nitrogen was lost during three months' exposure to the 

 weather of winter and early spring at Wooster, Ohio. Gypsum 

 markedly reduced the solubility of both nitrogen and phosphorus. 



Manure should either be hauled to the field and spread as soon -as 

 possible after it is produced, or it should be allowed to accumulate 

 in the stalls or covered sheds in compact and moist condition, suf- 

 ficient bedding being used to keep the animals clean (and this is 

 a more sanitary practice for a well- ventilated dairy barn than to 

 stir up the manure daily to clean the stable), and then hauled and 

 applied at convenient intervals. In no case should it be allowed 

 to heat and ferment before being spread on the land, if its full 

 value is to be secured. 



