186 AGRICULTURE 



absorption of liquids, combined with the 

 power to fix ammonia. If a considerable 

 amount of moss litter is employed, the 

 resultant manure will be found to be better 

 adapted for use on light than on strong 

 land, because its power of absorbing and 

 retaining water reacts more beneficially in 

 the former case than in the latter. 



In order to save cartage at a busy time 

 of the year it is a common custom in many 

 parts of the country to empty the dungstead 

 once or oftener during winter, and to store 

 the material in temporary heaps in the field. 

 The process of removal from the place of 

 storage at the homestead to the field heap 

 means that the manure is left comparatively 

 loose, so that air enters freely, and volatiliza- 

 tion of ammonia, fermentation, and reduc- 

 tion in weight must go on to a greater extent 

 than if no disturbance had taken place. 

 Possibly, also, the temporary heap in the 

 field may be placed upon land that is by 

 no means impervious to the downward 

 passage of liquids, or it may be situated 

 on a slope which encourages the escape of 

 liquids over the surface of the ground. Do 

 what one will, it is impossible to avoid very 

 considerable loss from such temporary storage 

 heaps ; and, speaking generally, the practice 



