than in B-1. but only because the former is drier. Table 2 shows 

 that there has been a large actual loss. 



The free use of fine dry loam, or the admixture 

 Methods of of such materials as kainit, acid phosphate, 



Preservation. muriate of potash or land plaster, or of a 



combination of some of these will effectively 

 prevent loss of nitrogen. Loam alone must be used in quantities 

 so large as considerably to increase cost of handling. Either kainit, 

 muriate of potash or acid phosphate alone is effective, but the 

 mixture especially with the first holds the material too moist for 

 convenient handling. Plaster is of less value as an absorbent of 

 ammonia and if largely used the mixture may form hard, dry cakes. 

 Dr}' sawdust has been successfully used with acid phosphate 

 and kainit by the Maine Experiment Station. In bulletin 216, 

 that vStation recommends using with each 30 pounds of fresh drop- 

 pings (their estimate of the yearly amount of night droppings 

 from one hen) : 



10 pounds sawdust, 

 16 pounds acid phosphate, 

 8 pounds kainit. 

 The writer recommends: 



1. Where poultry is kept upon a small scale and where fine 

 dry earth can be readily obtained that this be sprinkled in moderate 

 quantities on the dropping boards whenever the accumulation is 

 removed, which should be daily. To each lOO pounds of fresh 

 droppings add a mixture of chemicals as follows: 



(a) Where the material will be used as top-dressing for grass 

 lands or for lawns: 



Acid phosphate, 20 pounds. 

 Kainit, 15 pounds. 



{b) Where the mixture will be used for field crops such as 

 corn or in the vegetable garden: 



Acid phosphate, 50 pounds, 

 Kainit, 25 pounds. 



In either case sprinkle the mixture in proper proportion over 

 each lot of fresh material as it is added to the accumulating stock 

 and mix before use. 



Mixture (a) with 65 pounds of dry earth (estimated amount 

 added) will weigh 200 pounds, and if we do not take into account 

 the small amount of plant-food elements which may be found in 

 the earth, it should have about the following composition: 



Nitrogen, 0.95 per cent. 



• Phosphoric acid, 2.00 per cent. 



Potash, 1.14 per cent. 



Provided the droppings in the original quantity are similar to 

 sample B-1, one ton of this mixture will supply plant-food about 

 as follows: 



Nitrogen, 19 pounds. 



Phosphoric acid, 40 pounds. 

 Potash, 23 pounds. 



Mixture (6) with 70 pounds of earth added gives a total weight 

 of 245 pounds. This will contain: 



Nitrogen, about 0.8 per cent. 



Phosphoric acid, about 3.5 per cent. 

 Potash, about 1.5 per cent. 



