FARMYARD MANURE. 



21 



yards ; but I had no idea of the extent to which manure is 

 diminished in weight and deteriorated in fertilising properties 

 until I had tried a series of very conclusive experiments on this 

 point. With a view of ascertaining the amount of loss farmyard 

 manure sustains, on exposure to the weather in an open yard, I 

 spread 1652 Ibs. of fresh dung in an open yard to about the usual 

 thickness, and ascertained from time to time the weight of the 

 manure, and, at the same time, its composition. The results of 

 these weighings and examinations are contained in the following 

 Table: 



TABLE showing Composition of entire mass of Experimental fresh Farmyard 

 Manure, spread. In Natural State. Expressed in Ibs. and fractions of Ibs. 



This Table requires an explanatory notice. It will be ob- 

 served that the amount of insoluble mineral matters in the manure 

 increases greatly in every succeeding experimental period. Es- 

 pecially it is great in November, 1855. This increase is due 

 entirely to accidental admixtures of earthy matters, which could 

 not be excluded without losing some of the manure. It was found, 

 namely, impossible to collect the manure properly without mixing 

 with it some of the soil over which it was spread. On the 23rd 

 of August, 1855, the manure had shrunk to a very small bulk, 

 and on the 15th of November, 1855, the greater portion of the 



