48 



Farmyard Manure. 



Apparently the loss which the heap under shed sustained is 

 much greater than the loss which was incurred by keeping a heap 

 of fresh farmyard manure exposed to the influence of the weather 

 for the same length of time. It will be seen, however, by the 

 following analyses, that this greater loss is principally due to the 

 evaporation of water, which, not being replaced by falling rain, 

 is especially marked in the warmer months of the year. 



This will appear from the following Table, containing the results 

 of analyses made at the fixed experimental periods. 



Table showing the Composition of Experimental Heap (No. II.), fresh Farm- 

 yard Manure under Shed, in natural state, at different periods of the Year. 



As these analytical results do not admit of comparison on ac- 

 count of the great variations in the amount of moisture contained in 

 this manure at different periods, the composition of the manure in 

 a perfectly dry state may at once be stated. (See Table, p. 49.) 



These analytical results give rise to the following obser- 

 vations : 



1. It will be seen that the percentage of organic matter in 

 this manure steadily diminishes the longer the manure is kept, 

 whilst the percentage of mineral matters rises in a corresponding 

 degree. 



2. The decrease in organic substances, however, is much less 

 considerable than in the heap No. I., which had been exposed to 

 the influence of the weather. 



3. It will likewise be observed that the percentage of soluble 



