FARM MANURES 



for digesting cellulose material. Horse manure readily 

 ferments and gives off ammonia products. When the 

 manure becomes dry, fire-fanging results, due to rapid 

 fermentation followed by the growth of fungous bodies, 

 and there is a heavy loss of nitrogen. Horse manure 

 is sometimes considered of but little value. This is 

 because it so readily deteriorates that when used it has 

 often lost much of its nitrogen by fermentation. When 

 mixed with cow manure, both are improved, the rapid 

 fermentation of the horse manure is checked, and at 

 the same time the cow manure is improved in texture. 

 It is estimated that horses void about three fifths of 

 their manure in the stable. A well-fed horse at ordi- 

 narily hard work produces 50 pounds per day, of 

 which about one fourth is urine. A horse produces 

 nearly 6 tons of manure per year in the stable. If 

 properly preserved and used, it is valuable and quick- 

 acting ; but if allowed to ferment and leach, it gives 

 poor results. 



190. Sheep Manure. Sheep produce a small amount 

 of concentrated manure, containing less water than that 

 of any other domestic animal. It readily ferments and 

 is a quick-acting fertilizer. When combined with horse 

 and cow manure the mixture ferments more slowly. 

 Because of the small amount of water it contains, sheep 

 manure is very concentrated in composition. It is val- 

 uable for general gardening purposes and whenever a 

 concentrated, quick-acting manure is desired. 



