Farm Manure. 



115 



Factors which influence the composition of manure. The 

 composition of the excrement varies greatly, dependent on the 

 following factors: 



(1) The character of the ration. 



(2) Age and kind of animal. 



(3) Kind and amount of absorbents used. 



Considerable variation in the composition of the excreta of 

 various animals must necessarily be expected. 



Influence of the ration. The total value of the manure pro- 

 duced by a given number of animals is dependent on the quality 

 and quantity of the feeding stuffs used in the ration. That the 

 different materials used for feeding vary greatly in their fer- 

 tilizing value is clearly shown in the following table, which gives 

 the quantity of fertilizing materials in one ton of a few of the 

 common feeding stuffs and farm products. Additional figures 

 are to be found in a table of the appendix: 



Pounds of Fertilizing Constituents in One Ton. 



The figures represent the fertilizing values of the different 

 feeds, provided they are used directly as manures. It is clear 

 that the richer the ration is in nitrogen, phosphoric acid and 

 potash, the more valuable will be the manure produced by the 

 animal. It is necessary now to inquire what proportion of the 

 fertilizing content of the food is recovered in the excrement. 



