118 NATUKAL MANURES. VI. 



the New Forest, in Scotland and Ireland, and in certain parts 

 of Germany. 



It is not so absorbent as other litters, but is of value on 

 account of its composition. This varies with the age at which 

 it is cut and other circumstances. A dried sample examined 

 by Homberger* contained '706% nitrogen, *13% potash, and 

 12% phosphorus pentoxide, while two samples examined by 

 J. Hughes contained in one case (young plants) 2 -42% nitrogen, 

 1-15% potash, and 0'6% phosphorus pentoxide, while in the 

 other (old plants) there were only O90% nitrogen, O10 potash, 

 and 0'30 of phosphorus pentoxide. 



Dried leaves. These are only rarely used and are not of 

 much value. According to numbers obtained from American 

 investigations! autumn leaves contain about 

 75% nitrogen, 

 10 to -50% potash, 

 06 to '30% phosphorus pentoxide. 



Saiodust is used in stables in large towns. It has good 

 absorptive powers, and according to Storer (just quoted) con- 

 tains about 



1-0% nitrogen, 

 10% potash, 



05 % phosphorus pentoxide. 



It renders horse manure very open and porous and therefore 

 favours rapid oxidation and fermentation, sometimes to a 

 harmful extent. It would be less objectionable as a litter 

 for cows. The turpentine found in pitch-pine sawdust may 

 seriously retard its decomposition in the soil. 



Tanners' refuse. This is sometimes used as a litter, but is 

 -of comparatively little value. Storer gives as its average 

 composition : 



Nitrogen ... ... -16% 



Potash... ... ... -08% 



Phosphorus pentoxide ... '04% 



* Jour. Chein. Soc. 1886, abst. 485. 

 t Quoted by Storer, Agriculture, &c., Vol. I., p. 446. 



