CROPS AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT 



mediate action of the nitrogen is desirable. Vege- 

 table growers often prefer a slower and more con- 

 tinuous action, and the rotting of manure under 

 right conditions changes the liquid nitrogen into 

 compounds that act more slowly. 



The solid material in horse manure contains 

 less water than that of the cow, and this absence 

 of water permits quick fermentation when air is 

 present. The use of large quantities of such 

 manure per acre is not liked by vegetable-growers. 

 Rotting under control in a covered barnyard has 

 a beneficial effect for this reason when a hot ma- 

 nure is not wanted. The covered shed costs some 

 money, and there is a loss estimated at 10 per 

 cent under the best conditions, but when manure 

 cannot be drawn fast as made, there is compensa- 

 tion in improved condition for certain soils and 

 crops. 



Composts. The compost, involving the hand- 

 ling of manure and soil, has no rightful place on 

 the average farm. The gardener or trucker using 

 great quantities of manure per acre must let 

 some of the fermentation occur before he incor- 

 porates it with the soil, or harm will result. He 

 wants reduction in volume, and such change in 

 its character that it will add to the retentive power 

 [136] 



