THE COMPOSITION OF FEEDS 195 



dairy cow are voided in the manure, these figures being averages 

 of those given in Fippin's table previously listed. The costs per 

 ton are current prices and the figures used for getting the value of 

 the fertilizing constituents were as follows: nitrogen, 15c per pound; 

 phosphoric acid, 4c per pound; potash, 5c per pound. 



Cost 

 Feed per ton 



Corn meal 36.50 



Ground oats 38.60 



Wheat bran 35.05 



Gluten feed 49.80 



Cottonseed meal 43% 58.05 



Linseed oil meal 59 . 05 



Of course, the figures shown in the above table will vary accord- 

 ing to feed prices and the values placed on fertilizing constituents. 

 More important, however, it must be remembered that the man- 

 urial values represent the maximum return and assume that all of 

 the manure reaches the soil without loss. No farmer obtains these 

 values in full and many get only a small percentage of them. How- 

 ever, the table is of value for two reasons : First, it shows that it 

 pays to conserve the manure; and secondly, it demonstrates that 

 the difference between the cost of high and low protein feeds be- 

 comes less when the value of the manure is considered. 



328. Care of manure. — The first thing of importance here is 

 to see that the urine is not lost since it contains such a large per- 

 centage of the nitrogen and potash. To prevent this loss there 

 should be plenty of bedding to absorb it, the gutters should be 

 tight, and in cleaning the stable any urine in the gutter should be 

 soaked up by the bedding and other manure. Fermentation causes 

 a large loss of nitrogen in manure. The strong smell common in 

 horse stables is due to ammonia, the form in which nitrogen 

 largely escapes through fermentation. The fertilizing constituents 

 may also be washed out of the manure by rains if it is stored out 

 doors. The best way to avoid both these losses is to draw out the 

 manure and spread it on the fields daily. Where this is not possible 

 it should be stored under cover in compact piles, preferably under 

 shelter. 



