CHAPTER XIII 

 CARE OF STABLE MANURE 



Common Source of Losses. When we bear 

 in mind that four fifths of all the fertility removed 

 from the land in the grains and coarse stuffs fed 

 on the farm may be recovered from the animals 

 and returned to the soil, we can appreciate the 

 consideration that the care of manure should have 

 on every farm. The careless methods that pre- 

 vail in most sections of the country are an in- 

 heritance from the day when soils were new and 

 full of fertility. These methods continue partly 

 through a lack of confidence in the statements 

 that the liquid portion of animal excrements, in 

 average mixed stable manure, has nearly as great 

 value as the solid portion. If this fact were ac- 

 cepted, many of the losses would be stopped. 

 Another reason for continuance of careless meth- 

 ods is failure to appreciate that the soluble portion 

 of manure is the highly valuable part, and that 

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