372 



THE PRINCIPLES OF SOIL MANAGEMENT 



the average. In calculating the values of the manures 

 produced by these animals, nitrogen is reckoned at 

 fifteen cents per pound, phosphoric acid at six cents, 

 and potash at four and one-half cents. The composition, 

 amount and value of the manures without litter are 

 given in the following table. 



Table LV 



Composition, Amount and Value of Manures (Without 



Litter) from Different Animals 



243. Poultry manure. The droppings of poultry 

 are nearly twice as valuable, pound for pound, as cow 

 manure, when calculated on the value of the nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid and potash they contain. It is in the 

 former constituent particularly that poultry manure is 

 rich. A thousand pounds live weight of fowls produce 

 from thirty to forty pounds of droppings daily. These 

 contain when fresh between 50 and 60 per cent of water 

 and over 1 per cent of nitrogen. The nitrogen is largely 

 present as ammonium compounds. It quickly undergoes 

 fermentation, with loss of nitrogen. Lime or alkalies 



