MANURES. 107 



the stables, to be mixed and turned over with the 

 manure by swine. In other cases the manures are 

 kept in the yard, and are covered with a thin layer 

 of muck every morning. The principle which ren- 

 ders these systems beneficial is that of the absorbent 

 power of charcoal. 



The composting of stable manure, although al- 

 ways advantageous, frequently requires more labor, 

 and more expensive accommodations than can be 

 given to it. There is no doubt that, where proper fa- 

 cilities can be obtained for carrying out the foregoing 

 directions, they will be found profitable. Those who 

 are obliged to use their stable manure with the least 

 possible amount of handling, or who cannot procure 

 muck or other organic matter to add to it, should at 

 least manage to keep it entirely sheltered from the rain 

 until it is hauled out on to the land. Manure kept 

 under a shed, necessarily loses some ammonia ; but 

 the amount of this loss has been found to be very 

 small, for the reason that, during the decomposition 

 of the straw and coarser vegetable parts, certain 

 organic acids and other compounds are produced, 

 which combine with or absorb most of the ammonia 

 as it is generated. 



The loss of ammonia, and of the soluble constitu- 

 ents of the ash, is greater when the decomposition 

 takes place without protection from the rain. 



The best plan is, undoubtedly, to have a cellar 

 under the stable to receive the manure as soon as 

 dropped, and to protect it, as far as possible, from all 

 atmospheric influences. 



