[77] 



The following is an analysis of the excrements of the 

 sheep : 



ASH OF DUNG. ASH OF URINE. 



Silica 50.11 Sulphate potash 2.98 



Potash .'8.32 Sulphate soda 7.72 



Soda 3.28 Chloride of sodium 32.01 



Chloride of sodium 14 Chloride of potassium 12.00 



Phosphate iron 3.98 Carbonate of lime 82 



Lime 18.15 Carbonate of soda 42.2 



Magnesia 5.45 Magnesia 46 



Phosphoric acid 752 Phosphate of iron, lime and 



Sulphuric acid 2.69 magnesia 70 



Silica ... 1.06 



99.64 



100.00 



These analyses show conclusively that the manure pos- 

 sesses an intrinsic value far greater than is generally sup- 

 posed. It is naturally rich, and sheep chew so finely that, 

 unlike other animals, they never sow the seed of weeds, the 

 finest being thoroughly masticated. Of course the value of 

 the manure is to some extent modified by the character of 

 their food, as it is much richer when fed, for fattening pur- 

 poses, on oil cake or corn. The following table will show 

 its value as compared with other manures : 



Water. Phosphoric Acid. Potash. Nitrogen. Ammonia. 



Pig dung 840 Ibs. 8.0 Ibs. 5.0 Ibs. 7.0 Ibs. 8.5 Ibs. 



Horse 743 " 12.2 28.0 " 5.4 " 6.5 " 



Cow 864 " 5.2 " 10.7 " 3.5 " 4.2 " 



Chicken 850 " 15.2 " 5.5 " 21.5 " 26.1 " 



Sheep 670 " 22.7 " 7.0 " 7.1 " 8.5 " 



Human 750 " 3.3 " 1.0 " 15.0 " 18.2 " 



The fertilizing effects of sheep manure is better under- 

 stood by the English farmer, who keeps sheep as much for 

 the manure as for profit in other respects. This will be 

 practiced in time by our farmers, but little attention to or 

 appreciation of its use is now seen. An English farmer 

 will sow a field of turnips, and by means of hurdles confine 

 sheep to a particular lot until the turnips are all devoured,, 

 by which time the ground will be black with their drop- 



