126 STALL-MANURE AND STRAW. 



to a close, if by means of ventilation all moisture is 

 evaporated, and the decaying body becomes com- 

 pletely dry. 



In common conversation, the words " putrefac- 

 tion," " mouldering," and " decay " are deemed sy- 

 nonymous in meaning, and the one or the other of 

 these words is used at the pleasure of the speaker to 

 designate the changes under our consideration. In 

 the majority of cases, it is indeed a matter of indif- 

 ference, and in a strict sense not at all incorrect, in- 

 asmuch as in most decomposing bodies all tjiree 

 processes are of simultaneous occurrence ; externally, 

 with free access of air, decay ; internally, with exclu- 

 sion of air, putrefaction ; in the midst, between both, 

 mouldering. Here, however, reference must be made 

 to a distinction in these processes, the knowledge of 

 which is important in a practical respect ; we mean, 

 the fact that we have to consider putrefying and 

 mouldering substances only as a half-prepared or 

 half-finished nutriment for the plants in cultivation ; 

 decaying substances^ on the contrary^ as a fully pre' 

 pared or perfected vegetable nutrient. By the putre- 

 faction and mouldering of manure its constituent 

 elements are put in training for a brisk decay, but 

 by decay are first transferred to those combinations 

 which are consumed by plants for their nutrition. 

 Putrefaction and mouldering may be compared, in 

 this respect, to the soaking, maceration, or parboil- 

 ing of our food ; decay, on the other hand, to its full 

 and finished dressing. Peat is composed of putrefied 



