4-36 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



cretion are, when he knows how the animal has been fed, much 

 is gained. That he can acquire this knowledge from chemical 

 analysis very nearly, will be generally admitted. Analytical 

 tables to which farmers have access have been made, exhibit- 

 ing the elements of the excretions of different animals. The 

 urine is said to be far richer in nitrogen, alkalies, and alkaline 

 salts than the solid excrements ; yet how few of the farmers 

 save it in such a way as to be able to use it on their soil as a 

 fertilizer ! The humus-forming substances abound much more 

 plentifully in the solid excrements than in the liquid. It is the 

 remark of a modern writer and chemist, that " the solid excre- 

 ments of herbivorous animals are rich in humus-forming (or- 

 ganic) and seed-forming substances, (phosphoric acid, lime, and 

 magnesia,) but poor in forcing and leaf-forming substances, 

 and that the urine of the same animals is rich in substances 

 forming stalks and leaves, (nitrogen, potash, and soda,) but de- 

 ficient in the seed-forming mineral nutrients," and is better 

 adapted for forcing purposes. The quantity, quality, and con- 

 dition of the food, whether cooked or not, as well as the tending, 

 treatment, and employment of animals, all have an influence 

 upon the excrements which are to be employed as stimulants 

 for the soil. 



Every farmer should have a tank, or tanks, conveniently lo- 

 cated for the immediate reception and preservation of all urine 

 until required for use. This is one kind of economy that has 

 been almost entirely overlooked by farmers. Facts will justify 

 the assertion, that the best of our agriculturists lose nearly 

 half the fertilizing elements of the animal excrementitious sub- 

 stances before employing them upon the soil. To show the 

 importance of urine, read the following statement concerning 

 it:— 



If the urine of a cow, for a year, were collected, it would 

 furnish about G72 lbs. of solid extract, which contains as much 

 nitrogen alone as 5 GO lbs. of the best guano, and so large a 

 quantity of potash, that, by combustion, it will yield about 170 

 lbs. of potash, worth, in commerce, from $20 to $25. In view 

 of these facts, ^ the annual urine of a cow is taxed at three 

 guineas, or about $15, in Flanders, where agriculture has 

 reached its highest perfection. A celebrated English farmer 



