132 



Agricultural Chemistry. 



pumped over the more solid portion, keeping it moist and further- 

 ing decay with minimum loss. This process makes excellent 

 manure but requires time and labor. The more economical way 

 for the American farmer to prevent leaching, when manure mi 

 be stored, is to keep it under cover. A cheap lean-to or shed 

 all that is needed. Where it is possible, a water-tight floor shoulc 



be provided. 



Where neither cement cistern nor covered shed is available 



and it becomes absolutely necessary to store the manure, the hej 



When the manure must be stored and there is no cover, build the pi 



as shown above. 



should be made so high and compact that the hardest rain wi 

 not soak through. The sides should be perpendicular and tl 

 top dipped toward the center. It is advantageous to have 

 manure saturated with water, but large losses of plant food we 

 result should the water drain away from the heap. 



Hot fermentation can be controlled by keeping the manure pi 

 moist and compact. These two conditions exclude the air 

 the pile and prevent the action of that class of bacteria whic 

 causes hot fermentation and in addition, require free oxygen 

 their activity. When the heap shows a tendency to dry 01 

 water should be added and each daily addition of manure to 

 pile firmly packed into place. This allows decomposition to 



