NITROGENOUS MANURES 1 27 



159. Peat and Muck. Many samples of peat and 

 muck are quite rich in nitrogen. The nitrogen is, 

 however, in an insoluble form, and is with difficulty 

 nitrified. When mixed with stable manure, particu- 

 larly liquid manure, with the addition of a little lime 

 fermentation may be induced, and a valuable manure 

 produced. Muck and peat should be dried and sun- 

 cured, and then used as absorbents in stables. Peat 

 differs from muck in being fibrous. If the muck gives 

 an acid reaction, lime (not quicklime) should be used 

 with it in the stable, as directed under farm manures. 

 When easily obtained muck is one of the cheapest 

 forms of nitrogen. 



COMPOSITION OF DRY MUCK SAMPLES. 17 



Nitrogen. 

 Per cent. 



Marshy place, producing hay 2.21 



Marshy place, dry in late summer 2.01 



Old lake bottom 1.81 



160. Leguminous Crops as Nitrogenous Manures. 



The frequent use of leguminous crops for manurial 

 purposes is the cheapest way of obtaining nitrogen. 

 When the crop is not removed from the land but is 

 plowed under while green, the practice is called green 

 manuring. This does not enrich the land with any 

 mineral material but results in changing to humate 

 forms inert plant food. Green manuring, with le- 

 guminous crops, should take the place of bare fallow, 

 as its effects upon the soil are more beneficial. With 

 green manuring, nitrogen is added to the soil while 

 with bare fallow there is a loss of nitrogen. Legu- 

 minous crops, as clover, peas, crimson clover, and cow 

 peas, should be made to serve as the main source of 

 the nitrogen for crop production. 



