CHAPTER V 



FARM MANURES 



178. Variable Composition of Farm Manures. - - The 

 term ' farm manure ' does not designate a product of 

 definite composition. Manure is the most variable in 

 chemical composition of any of the materials produced 

 on the farm. It may contain a large amount of straw, 

 in which case it is called coarse manure ; or it may con- 

 tain only the solid excrements and a little straw, the 

 liquid excrements being lost by leaching; then again 

 it may consist of the droppings of poorly fed animals, 

 or of the mixed excrements of different classes of well- 

 fed animals. 



The term ' stable manure ' has been proposed for that 

 product which contains all of the solid and liquid excre- 

 ments with the necessary absorbent, before any losses 

 have been sustained. 16 The term ' barnyard manure ' is 

 restricted to that which accumulates around some barns 

 and farmyards, and is exposed to leaching rains and the 

 drying action of the sun. 



179. Average Composition of Manures. - - The solid 

 excrements of animals contain from 60 to 85 per cent 

 of water ; when mixed with straw, and the liquid ex- 

 crements are retained, the mixed manure contains 



158 



