FERTILIZERS. 



87 



The tanner's waste would decompose slowly, and there- 

 fore its components would practically be of less value than 

 in the other manures named. At 43 cents per thousand 

 pounds, night-soil would cost about $2.50 per cord. As 

 average night-soil is worth about $6 per cord, the professor 

 evidently means a purer article than we farmers usually 

 find. Most farmers will be surprised at the low value 

 given hen manure in the table, but it requires a pretty 

 good article to reach even that valuation. Hold fast to 

 the fundamental principle, that no more value in. potash, 

 phosphoric acid, and nitrogen can come from the manure of 

 any animal than is fed to it in its food, minus the quantity 

 of these elements taken up to maintain its vitality, and 

 perform its various functions, which in fowls includes the 

 eggs laid and the annual growth of feathers. And next 

 consider the fact that two bushels of corn will support an 

 average fowl a year, and that this grain contains about 

 38 cents in value of the three elements ; and, finally, that 

 of this, but about half can be found in the manure, of 



