130 Agricultural Chemistry. 



it can be detected by the sense of smell, that is, by the odor of 

 ammonia. The dry manures, as those of the horse and sheep, are 

 particularly subject to this loss of nitrogen, which is con- 

 tained in the escaping ammonia. Many from the farm have 

 suffered with "smarting eyes" when removing the accumulated 

 manure from the horse stable. This is due to the ammonia and 

 can be prevented partly by the use of land plaster or gypsum. 

 This fixes the ammonia in part, by forming ammonium sulphate, 

 which is a non-volatile body. In using gj^psum scatter it on the 

 floor immediately after the barn has been cleaned and before the 

 fresh bedding has been spread. From one-half to one pound per 

 animal each day is used in common practice. It is not impossible 

 that part of the beneficial results obtained by adding gypsi 

 in the manure and to the land comes from the additional sup] 

 of sulphur. 



Other preservatives, as kainite, muriate of potash and 

 phosphate, are often recommended as preservatives for mam 

 and to prevent the loss of nitrogen. They are reported to 

 injurious to the hoofs of animals and when used should be scat- 

 tered on the floor and carefully covered with bedding. There is 

 much difference of opinion as to their merits as preservatives, but 

 unquestionably they all can effect a partial retention of escaping 

 ammonia and thus act as "barn-sweeteners." They will also 

 serve the additional function of reinforcing the manure with fer- 

 tilizing materials. They may be used in the same quantity as 

 recommended for gypsum. Dry earth has been recommended i 

 for the same purpose and is especially useful in this regard, p{ 

 ticularly where it contains a large amount of humus. In 

 parts of the country dry peat or muck soil is in use in the 

 in connection with the bedding. It should never be used in qi 

 tities sufficient to make the manure dry, as this would result 

 still greater nitrogen losses. 



Haul the manure when fresh. Manure is never so valuable 

 when perfectly fresh, for it is impossible under the best system of| 

 management to prevent all loss of its fertilizing ingredients. Foi 



