BRACKEN-FERN AND LEAVES AS LITTER. 19 



matter than that produced by the use of straw. 1 These 

 experiments are interesting as demonstrating the fact 

 that in peat-moss we have a substance which is capable 

 of acting as an excellent substitute for the more costly 

 straw, which might increasingly be used as a fodder, 

 with great benefit to the farmer. 



Another substance which has been suggested as an 

 excellent litter is the common bracken fern. According 

 to some analyses made by Mr John Hughes, the 

 bracken, especially if cut in a young state, is a sub- 

 stance of considerable manurial value. When dried 

 it is very much richer in nitrogen, potash, and lime 

 than straw. Its absorbent properties, however, are 

 probably not so great. Where it can easily and cheaply 

 be had, as in many parts of Scotland and Ireland, it 

 might well be used for littering purposes. 2 



Dried leaves have also been used as a litter. Autumn 

 leaves, however, contain a very small percentage of 

 fertilising matter. This is due to the fact that the 

 most of their potash, phosphoric acid, and nitrogen 

 pass into the body of the trees at the approach of 

 winter. According to Professor Storer, dried leaves 

 only contain from .1 to .5 per cent potash, .006 to .3 

 per cent phosphoric acid, and about .75 per cent of 

 nitrogen. Leaves, however, besides being poor in 

 manurial ingredients, make a bad litter, as they fer- 

 ment but slowly. There is in this fermentation a 



1 See Appendix, Note VII., p. 57. 



2 For analyses see Appendix, Note VIII. , p. 57. 



