12S AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE. 



so where, in addition to the natural grasses, the stock get 

 additions of cultivated feed. 



Making Manure. The dryness of the atmosphere, 

 and the occurrence of very heavy rains, are against the 

 making of manure in open yards or in pits, as followed in 

 Europe. But when cattle are put under the sheds at 

 night, this plan becomes successful fcere. While working 

 upon this system, and to overcome excessive evaporation, 

 the liberal application of dry, loamy soil to the surface where 

 stock camp is decidedly beneficial. This dry soil absorbs the 

 ammonia and other gases that are otherwise blown away, 

 and after lying for four or five months becomes as rich as 

 the very best portions of the heap upon which the soil is 

 scattered. The free application of dry earth in covered 

 stockyards and upon manure heaps has this additional 

 advantage : the manure can be hauled out on the field 

 with less loss from evaporation than when the compost has 

 been made in the ordinary way. Where cane megass 

 and refuse, corn stalks, coarse grass, &c., are available, 

 enormous quantities of manure can be made in this way in 

 the pig pen, or with the aid of a small lot of working 

 cattle that are yarded at night. 



The Australian Compost Heap. Of dry soil we have 

 already spoken. It is one of the valuable aids in favor 

 of manure-making in Australia, as will be more clearly 

 understood after study of this chapter, and especially of 

 page 133 referring to waste in ordinary farm-yard stuff. Few 

 things will be found to pay better than a shed under 

 which a dray can travel, and in which soil can be stored 



in dry weather, so 

 that it may be kept 

 fit for use when- 

 ever required. 

 Loamy soil is the 

 best for the pur- 

 pose. The richer 

 it is in vegetable 

 _ matter, the better 



The Australian Compost Heap. and more effective 



it is. With this agent, nothing need be lost ; it absorbs 



