14 

 III. 



NOTES ON BARN-YARD MANURE. 



The general character and composition of the samples of barn-yard 

 manure sent on to the Station for an examination have frequently been 

 found to differ so materially, as may be noticed from the subsequent 

 statement, that it calls for a special discussion on this occasion. 



COMPOSITION OF BARN-YARD MANURE. (Lbs. per loo Ibs. Manure). 

 (Results of many years observation). 



HIGHEST. 



Moisture, 75-oo 



Phosphoric acid, .75 



Potassium oxide, .80 



Nitrogen, .67 



It is a well known fact that the general character and the chemical 

 composition of the barn-yard manure, which controls the agricultural 

 and commercial value of the article, depends materially on the fol- 

 lowing points : 



1. On the kind, age and function of the animals which serve in 

 its production. 



2. On the kind of feed consumed and a rational system of feed- 

 ing. 



3. On the character and amount of the material used in the 

 absorption and preservation of the animal excrements, both .liquid 

 and solid, produced by the animals on trial. 



4. On the age of the material obtained and the special care taken 

 to secure, in a fair degree, its preservation previous to its incorpora- 

 tion into the soil. 



Without any attempt to discuss here again in detail the particular 

 importance of each of the points previously mentioned, it has 

 occurred to the writer that it might be of interest to call the attention 

 of our farmers to a practice in Germany, which has, no doubt, proved 

 very useful in stimulating a special interest in studying the various 

 modes of saving and preserving the barn-yard manure for the pur- 

 pose of securing its full benefit in the interest of an economical and 

 rational system of farm management. 



