96 MANURES. 



was explained in a former section (Sec. 2), and we 

 will now examine merely its action with regard to 

 manures. When properly applied to manures, in 

 compost, it has the following effects : 



1. It absorbs and retains the fertilizing gases evap- 

 orating from decomposing matters. 



2. It acts as a divisor, thereby reducing the 

 strength (or intensity) of powerful manures thus 

 rendering them less likely to injure the roots of 

 plants ; and also increases their bulk, so as to pre- 

 vent fire-fanging in composts. 



3. It in part prevents the leaching out of the solu- 

 ble parts of the ash. 



4. It keeps the compost moist. 



The first-named office of charcoal, i. e., absorbing 

 and retaining gases, is one of the utmost importance. 

 It is this quality that gives to it so high a position 

 in the opinion of all who have used it. As was 

 stated in the section on soils, carbonaceous matter 

 seems to be capable of absorbing everything which 

 may be of use to vegetation. It is a grand purifier, 

 and while it prevents offensive odors from escaping, 

 it is at the same time storing its pores with food for 

 the nourishment of plants. 



2d. In its capacity as a divisor for manures, char- 

 coal is excellent in all cases, especially to use with 

 strongly concentrated (or heating) animal manures. 

 These, when applied in their natural state to the soil, 

 are very apt to injure young roots by the violence 

 of their action. When mixed with a divisor, such 

 manures are diluted, made less active, and conse- 



