56 Farmyard Manure. 



Leaving any remarks on the organic composition of the manure 

 until the general composition at the different experimental periods 

 has been stated, I shall offer in this place merely a few observa- 

 tions on the differences which will be perceived on comparing 

 the ash analyses of the fresh manure with those that have just 

 been given. 



1. In the first place it will be seen that the proportion of 

 soluble fresh ash is very -much greater in the manure, when the 

 experiment was taken in hand on the 3rd of November, than 

 after a lapse of 6 months, during which the manure was spread 

 out in an open yard and exposed to the deteriorating influence 

 of the weather. Thus we find 



In fresh Manure, The same Manure, 



analysed Nov. 3, 1855. analysed April 30, 1855. 



Soluble ash 27-55 13-73 



Insoluble ash ... ....... 72-45 86-27 



100-00 100-00 



We have thus here a clear proof that the rain which falls on 

 the manure kept in an open yard, rapidly deteriorates its value 

 by removing from it a very considerable proportion of the most 

 valuable saline constituents. 



2. On comparing the insoluble ash of the fresh manure with 

 the. corresponding portion of the ash of the manure after having 

 been exposed in an open yard to the weather, it will be seen that 

 there is a much larger proportion of insoluble silicious matter in 

 the April analysis, but less potash and only about half the 

 amount of phosphate of lime which is contained in the insoluble 

 ash of the same manure before it had been spread out in an open 

 yard. 



3. The soluble portion of the ash of this manure in April con- 

 tains, it will be seen, more soluble silica and sulphuric acid than 

 the soluble ash of the manure in November, 1855. 



4. The influence of rain on manure spread out in an open yard 

 is best seen by comparing the composition of the whole ash of 

 the manure, analysed in April, with the analysis of the whole ash 

 of the manure in a perfectly fresh state. 



In the whole ash of the April manure is less soluble silica, 

 less potash, and much less phosphate of lime, than in the ash of 

 the manure in a fresh state. The most soluble, and at the same 

 time most valuable fertilizing substances thus are washed out by 

 falling rain, and consequently an ash richer in lime and insoluble 

 matters is left on burning the manure on the 30th of April. The 

 actual loss in weight which this experimental heap sustained in 

 the year, is given in the following Table. 



