MANURES. 25 



manure, and converts it into sulphate of ammonia, which 

 is soluble but not volatile, yet is one of the most powerful 

 fertilizers. Or gypsum plaster of Paris as prepared for 

 agricultural purposes, may be added to the dry earth to 

 increase its absorbing powers, and to fix the ammoniacal 

 vapors. A hundred pounds to a cord of dry earth will be 

 sufficient. 



Where horses, cows and pigs are kept, it is not neces- 

 sary to keep their manure separate, but it is best to throw 

 it into one common pile and treat it as we have suggested. 

 The urine of the animals is of very great value, and every 

 care should be taken to save it, by using saw-dust, dry 

 earth or other absorbents in the stalls. All the soap-suds, 

 chamber-lye and kitchen slops should be thrown on the 

 compost heap, as they largely aid in making up its effect- 

 iveness. Poultry manure is sometimes needed for special 

 crops, it should therefore be kept by itself, mixing it liber- 

 ally with dry earth or gypsum, or these may be used with 

 great advantage by frequently sprinkling them on the floor 

 of the poultry house. 



Night soil is the most powerful of all manures, and 

 arrangements should always be made to preserve it by the 

 use of dry absorbents, such as dry earth, dry muck or char- 

 coal dust. A liberal use of these will destroy its oflensive- 

 ness, and enable it to be used as readily as any other 

 manure. The earth-closets, now coming so generally into 

 use, soon save their cost in rendering this manure available. 

 When used, it should be very largely diluted with an 

 absorbent, as otherwise it will kill the plants to which it is 

 applied. 



Lime acts chiefly as a decomposing agent, as it dissolves 

 the silica and other constituents of the soil and the vege- 

 table matter in it, and so renders them fit for plant food. 



