AGE AND KIND OF STOCK 143 



readily ferments and is a quick-acting fertilizer. 

 When mixed with horse and cow manure the mixture 

 ferments more evenly. Because of the small amount 

 of water, sheep manure is very concentrated in composi- 

 tion. It is valuable for general gardening purposes, or 

 whenever a concentrated quick acting manure is desired. 



178. Hog Manure. Hog manure is not constant 

 in composition on account of the varied character of the 

 food consumed. The manure from fattening hogs 

 which are well fed compares favorably in composition 

 and value with the manure produced by other ani- 

 mals. It contains a high per cent, of water, and, like 

 cow manure, may be slow in decomposing. On ac- 

 count of containing so much water, losses by leach- 

 ing readily occur. From a given weight of grain, 

 pigs produce less dry matter in the manure than 

 sheep or cows. The liquid excrements of well-fed 

 hogs are rich in nitrogen, containing, on an average, 

 about 2 per cent. The solid excrements when leached, 

 fermented and deprived of the liquid excrements have 

 but little value as fertilizer. 



179, Hen Manure. Like all other farm manures 

 hen manure is variable in composition. The nitrogen 

 is present mainly in the form of ammonium com- 

 pounds. This makes it a quick-acting fertilizer. 

 When fowls are well-fed the manure contains about 

 the same amount of nitrogen as sheep manure. Hen 

 manure readily ferments, and if not properly cared 

 for losses of nitrogen, as ammonia, occur. It is not 

 advisable to mix hard wood ashes or ordinary lime 



