284 BEDDING. 



in manure, especially when the manure is in a loose and dry 

 condition. The heat produced by oxidation is liable to 

 become so great as to kill the microbes which are engaged in 

 preparing the manure for the plants. Hence the advisability 

 of keeping the manure damp and consolidated during its 

 preparative (" rotting ") period, or of mixing it with earth, 

 which will keep its particles cool and moist, and will absorb 

 the ammonia that is evolved. 



