MANURE 289 



(2) Liquid Manure Method. This method is used in Ger- 

 many, Belgium, and Holland. The liquid manure is carried to an 

 underground tank by means of stone troughs. The solids are 

 kept separate. The liquid manure is pumped out and applied to 

 the soil about six times a year, or oftener. 



(3) Deep-Stall Method. The animals are kept in deep stalls 

 with paved floors. Sufficient bedding is used to keep the animal 

 dry and the manure is allowed to accumulate in the stall. The 

 feeding rack and water vessels are hung on chains, so that they 

 can be raised as the manure accumulates. The manure is taken 

 out once or twice a year. When the climate is cool, this method 

 has given good results. At the Pennsylvania Station, 1 there was 

 a loss of only 5.7 per cent, of the nitrogen, 5.6 per cent, potash, 

 and 8.5 per cent, potash, compared with 34.1 per cent, nitrogen, 

 19.9 per cent, potash, and 14.2 potash lost from similar manure 

 in a covered shed. 



(4) Absorption Method. The liquids are absorbed with straw, 

 peat, sawdust, or dirt, etc., and taken out with the solids. The 

 manure is allowed to accumulate, or hauled out to the fields daily. 



( 5 ) Feeding Off and Pasturing. When the crops are pastured 

 or fed off, the manure is dropped directly in the field. 



Application of Manure. The kind and amount of manure to 

 be applied depends on conditions. The least loss takes place when 

 the manure is applied as fresh as possible. Manure decays more 

 rapidly in an open soil than in a close soil (clay). If it is desired 

 to improve the mechanical condition of a clay, fresh manure should 

 be applied, but the fertilizing constituents act more rapidly in a 

 clay soil when manure is well rotted. Fermenting manure seri- 

 ously injures the quality of tobacco, sugar beets, and potatoes. 



The manure may be (a) placed in heaps, and then spread, (b) 

 spread broadcast and ploughed in, (c) applied in hill or drill with 

 seed. The first method is objectionable, as the small heaps may 

 lose fertility rapidly, and the spots made much richer than the 

 remainder of the field. The second method is good if the manure 

 1 Bulletin 63. 



