136 



Agricultural Chemistry. 



manure is so piled there is danger of injurious fermentations, 

 with consequent losses of nitrogen. In addition, the leaching 

 from such piles increases the amount of plant food directly be- 

 neath and hence produces a rank growth. It is not uncommon 

 to lind the next season 's crop spotted by a more luxuriant growth 

 and deeper green color on the areas where the manure heaps havt 

 been placed. This condition is highly undesirable, as it cai 

 the crop to mature at different ages and also endangers loss 

 lodging. A crop with a large plant-food supply will have 



Uneven grain and grass. This bad condition comes from leaving the 

 manure in small piles. It should be spread when hauled. 



longer season of growth than one with a meagre supply. If the 

 manure is spread directly from the wagon, the danger of uneven- 

 ness of growth is largely avoided and the cost of labor reduced. 

 When very coarse manure is used, it is advantageous to supple- 

 ment the spreading from the wagon by the use of a drag tl 

 will break up the larger lumps and thus spread it more uni- 

 formly. 



Depth to cover manure. Where the manure is so coarse as 

 interfere with tillage, it will become necessary to plow it under. 

 Judgment must be exercised as to the depth to which it shouk 

 be covered. As a general rule, it should not be so deep as 

 prevent access of air and moisture, which are necessary to ii 



