258 



FARM MANURE 



intestines due to bacteria. These bacteria are present in very 

 large numbers in the voided excrement and are valuable in 

 promoting further decomposition in the soil. Although on 

 this account feces contain plant food that is more available 

 than it was in the original animal food, nevertheless, it is 

 not a quick acting fertilizer. All of the fertilizing constituents 

 in feces have to undergo decomposition to be soluble and 

 available to plants. 



The amount of the various fertilizer ingredients in solid 

 excrement varies with different animals. Table XIV gives 

 the average percentage composition of the excrement of the 

 common farm animals, horse, cow, pig, sheep, and hen. 

 The table also gives the amount voided per year for each 

 animal, taking the indicated weights as rough averages. 



Table XIV. — Composition and Amount of Animal Excrement 



It is to be noted that the solid excrement of the horse is 

 much drier than that of the cow, hence its decomposition 

 is more rapid and the temperature of the mass rises very 

 considerably. This fact is made use of in making "hot- 

 frames" in the early spring. Fermenting horse manure is 

 the source of heat. 



195. Liquid .Excrement. — The liquid excrement, or urine, 

 of animals contains waste food material which has been 



