160 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



stance under which it is formed. That which consists princi- 

 pally of the leaves of hard wood trees (as previously described) 

 is good manure in its crude state, though exposure to a winter's 

 frost may improve it by pulverization, and making it more 

 soluble by dissipating any noxious acid it may contain. But 

 that which is taken from swamps, and especially from moss, 

 generally requires more preparation to make it good manure. 

 It is commonly used as an absorbent of urine and the liquids 

 of the manure-heap. Simply as an absorbent it is valuable. 

 Its afiniity for ammonia is said to be greater than that of 

 charcoal, which some chemists say will absorb ninety times its 

 weight of ammoniacal gas. So far as muck is wanted merely 

 for this purpose, it may be that the difference in its composition 

 will not much affect its value ; but as it is to be finally added 

 to the soil, the ultimate result must of course depend on its 

 composition. 



There can be no doubt of the benefit of using muck in 

 stables, manure-cellars and yards to such an extent as may be 

 necessary to absorb the liquids and bring the mass of manure 

 into a condition that will admit of its being readily carried to 

 the field. In connection with this, another object is effected, 

 namely : the preservation of fertilizing gases, which are to a 

 certain degree fixed or retained by the muck. 



We know that the use of muck, even for the purpose just 

 mentioned, is objected to by some farmers. They say the poorest 

 sand is better than any muck to mix with manure. Not having 

 witnessed any experiments in reference to the subject, I will not 

 venture to decide the question involved, though I cannot see 

 how pure silicious sand can be worth much for manure. Still, 

 I have so often heard the statement alluded to from respectable 

 farmers, that I regard the matter as deserving investigation. 



In comparing sand and muck, in regard to their value for 

 mixing with manure, much, doubtless, depends on the char- 

 acter of the soil to which they are applied. Muck tends 

 to make soil more light, and where lightness is already a 

 defect, sand saturated with urine might be preferable to muck 

 used in the same way, because the former would produce more 

 compactness. It can hardly be supposed, however, that the 

 absorbent power of sand can be e(|ual to that of muck in pro- 

 portion to weight — sand being much heavier in proportion to 



