96 THE PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE. 



but very slowly changed by contact with ammonia and 

 other substances which exist in small quantities in the 

 atmosphere. This course is not very practicable, as sev- 

 eral years are required to effect a complete change. 



2. By mixing it with some alkaline substance, as lime, 

 wood ashes, or some of the salts of potash. If united in 

 a compost with a small quantity of these substances, the 

 desired change is soon obtained. 



3. By mixing it with stable manure. This is a very 

 profitable method of treating it. A twofold purpose is 

 accomplished : the manure furnishes the alkaline ele- 

 ments for the muck, and the muck retains those elements 

 of the manure which would otherwise escape into the air 

 by fermentation. For this purpose, one part of manure 

 is regarded as sufficient for three parts of muck. 



Muck as an Absorbent. Muck, like ordinary vegetable 

 mold, possesses the property of absorbing large quanti- 

 ties of water. As taken from the swamp, two thirds or 

 three fourths of its weight is water. In drying, its bulk 

 is greatly reduced. This property renders dried muck 

 an excellent absorbent for the liquids of the stable. 

 These liquids are exactly suited to produce the proper 

 changes in the muck. 



Muck may be profitably applied to land not well sup- 

 plied with humus, or vegetable mold. 



The Value of Muck. The elements of which ordinary 

 muck is composed give it a nominal value about equal to 

 that of stable manure. Its real value is reduced, of 

 course, by the labor and expense of procuring, compost- 

 ing, etc. 



There is a wide difference in the quality of muck from 

 different localities, depending upon the nature of the sub- 

 stances out of which it has been formed. 



