:u<; /-;<y YPTIAS A ainci L a HE. 



that the power of absorption is the most important 

 consideration in the choice of any material for this purpose. 

 It also controls and regulates the fermentation of the whole 

 mass. The nature of the manure heap in Europe when 

 straw is employed is very different to that produced in 

 Egypt where ordinary soil or Nile mud (chirb) resulting 

 from the clearance of canals is used, A considerable part 

 of the value attaching to the use of farm-yard manure in 

 Europe arises from the effect it has on the mechanical 

 condition of the soil, largely induced by the fermentation 

 and decomposition of the organic matter which it contains. 

 By the various complex changes which are set up, beneficial 

 results follow, but an Egyptian manure heap from its 

 nature is poor in organic matter. Analyses of fresh English 

 farm -yard manure, composed of a mixture of that of the 

 horse, cow and pig gave a total percentage of organic matter 

 of 28% but a water content of 66%. Manure six months 

 old gave similarty 16* 5% of organic matter and 75% of 

 water (Voelcker). Manure heaps in Egypt, however, only 

 contain when comparatively fresh from 8 to 10% of 

 organic matter and are thus relatively poor in this material. 

 Old heaps only contain from 6 to 8%. It is needless to 

 point out that the use of earth as litter, instead of some 

 form of vegetable matter, accounts for this poverty. In 

 a newly made heap of good manure in Egypt, the organic 

 matter amounts to about 11 or 12%, though owing to 

 fermentation this is reduced by one-third or even more. 

 The heaps, however, are much drier, and in a fresh heap 

 the water rarely amounts to more than 16% which is 

 considerably reduced by age. As an absorbent and retentive 



