2I 4 



FARMYARD MANURE 



FJECES. 

 Per cent. 

 Water. Nitrogen. Phosphoric Acid. Alkalis. 



Horse . 76 .5 .35 .3 



Cow . 84 .3 .25 .1 



Pig , 80 .6 .45 .5 



Sheep .58 .75 .6 .3 



URINE. 



. Phosphoric Acid. Alkalis. 



trace. 1 . 5 



trace. 1.4 



.13 -2 



.05 2.0 



The urine is rich in nitrogen and alkalis and poor 

 in phosphates. Over 98 per cent, of the potash and 

 soda of the food is found in the urine, while most of 

 the phosphorus, magnesium, and lime compounds are 

 obtained in the solid excreta. 



The various substances in the liquid and solid excreta 

 soon undergo chemical changes. The urine begins to 

 ferment while it is in the stable, and further extensive 

 decomposition occurs throughout the whole mass of the 

 farmyard manure soon after it is placed on the heap, or 

 allowed to accumulate in the yards. These changes are 

 brought about by the agency of vast numbers of bacteria 

 and fungi. Heat is developed mainly as the result of 

 the oxidation of organic carbon compounds, and the 

 heap is seen to " steam " in autumn or winter when the 

 temperature is low enough to condense the water vapour 

 which is given off. Much of the organic substance dis- 

 appears as carbon dioxide and other gases, and the bulk 

 of the manure is soon visibly decreased and its weight 



