364 



THE PRINCIPLES OF SOIL MANAGEMENT 



urine, usually from the same animal or animals, and the 

 litter used as bedding and also for the purpose of absorb- 

 ing the liquid manure and to render the whole easier to 

 handle. As these constituents differ greatly in their 

 physical and chemical properties, the proportions in 

 which they exist affect appreciably the properties of the 



manure. 



Fig. 106. A striking example of waste of manure. Leaching and fermentation 

 will remove over half of its value in six months. 



234. Solid excreta. The solid excreta furnishes most 

 of the body of the manure, and as it is already in a stage 

 of partial decomposition, and in a condition both physi- 

 cally and chemically to favor the further processes of 

 decomposition, it is largely to this constituent that the 

 fermentative action of manure is due. It is particularly 

 valuable for the effect it has upon the physical condition 

 of the soil and the encouragement it gives to decompo- 

 sition processes. 



Chemically, it is not so valuable as the liquid excreta. 



