FARM MANURES l6l 



while the per cent of potash is slightly increased. Saw- 

 dust and loam both make the manure more dilute. Dry 

 peat makes the manure richer in nitrogen. The ab- 

 sorptive power of these different materials is about as 

 follows : M 



The proportion of absorbents in manure ranges from 

 a fifth to a third of the total weight of the manure. 



182. Use of Peat and Muck as Absorbents. Because 

 of the high content of nitrogen in peat and the power 

 which it possesses when dry of absorbing water, it is 

 a valuable material to use as an absorbent in stables. 

 As previously stated, peat is slow to decompose, but 

 when mixed with the liquid manure it readily yields to 

 fermentation, particularly if a little land plaster or marl 

 be used in the stable along with the peat. Peat has 

 high absorptive power for gases as well as for liquids, 

 and when used the sanitary condition of stables is im- 

 proved and the air is rendered particularly free from 

 foul odors. 



M 



