XX CONTENTS. 



Dampness . . . . . . . . . 257 



Composition of manure ....... 257 



Products of fermentation ....... 257 



Analyses of farmyard manure 



Dr Voelcker's experiments 259 



Variation in composition - . . . . . . . 259 



Amounts of moisture, organic matter (containing nitrogen), 

 and mineral matter . . . . . . .260 



Its inanurial value compared with nitrate of soda, sulphate 

 of ammonia, and superphosphate . . . . .260 



Comparison of fresh and rotten manure 



The nature and amount of loss sustained in the process of 



rotting 261 



Ought manure to be applied fresh or rotten ? . . . 262 

 Relative merits of covered and uncovered manure-heaps . . 263 

 Methods of application of farmyard manure to the field 



Merits and demerits of the different methods . . .265 

 Setting it out in heaps . . . . . . .265 



Spreading it broadcast, and letting it lie . . . . 266 



Ploughing it in immediately . . . . . .267 



Value and function of farmyard manure 



As a supplier of the necessary elements of plant-food . 268 

 As a " universal " manure . ...... 269 



Proportion in which nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash 

 are required by crops . . . . . . .269 



Proportion in which they are present in farmyard manure 270 

 Farmyard manure poor in nitrogen . . . . .270 



Lawes' and Gilbert's experiments . . . . .271 



How it may be best reinforced by the use of " artificials " . 271 

 Indirect value of farmyard manure as a supplier of humus 



to the soil 273 



Its influence on soil-texture ...... 273 



Its influence in setting free inert fertilising matter in the 

 soil .......... 274 



Rate at which farmyard manure ought to be applied . . 275 

 Lasting nature of farmyard manure ..... 276 



Its economic value . . . . . . . . .276 



APPENDIX TO CHAPTER VII. 

 NOTE 



I. Difference in amount of excreta voided for food con- 

 sumed ... 279 



