CHAPTER X 







ANIMAL MANURES 



69. Quality. The quality of animal manure depends 

 largely upon three factors: The composition of the feed, the 

 age of the animal fed, and the handling to which the manure 

 is subjected. The causes which account for the influence of 

 the age of the animal have already been discussed in Sec. 

 67, and they show the importance of feeding mature animals 

 as much as practicable, where the composition of the manure 

 is a consideration. The use of feeds rich in nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid, and potash, where the price of such feeds 

 permits, produces the most valuable manures. Cottonseed 

 meal, a feed rich in the elements named, sells for a reasonable 

 price, and can be fed in moderation to advantage to all 

 farm animals except hogs. It is the cheapest source of 

 protein on the market. In buying feeds and in com- 

 pounding rations, the plant food content of the feed should 

 receive consideration. 



70. Liquid Manures. It is very important that an abun- 

 dant supply of absorbent litter be used in the stables, to 

 take up the liquid manure. It is best to use a litter that 

 readily nitrifies and that carries as high per cent of plant 

 food as possible. Table IX gives the compositions of some 

 materials suitable for bedding. Some of the materials, corn 

 stalks for example, should be shredded before being used. 



Table X emphasizes the fact that most of the nitrogen and 

 potash is voided in the liquid manure, and it further shows 

 that an abundant supply of absorbent litter should be used 

 to conserve properly the liquid manure. The manure fur- 

 nishes an excellent medium for bacteria, and, consequently, 

 hastens the availability of the plant food in the litter. 



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