FARMYARD MANURE 185 



less loss of plant food, and, as a conse- 

 quence, well-decomposed farmyard manure 

 is relatively richer in nitrogen, phosphoric 

 acid and potash than manure which is 

 comparatively fresh. 



Many attempts have been made to create 

 conditions in the manure heap which will 

 prevent undue loss in weight, and at the 

 same time preserve the nitrogen as far as 

 possible. Saturation with liquids is one 

 way of arresting fermentation, and of pre- 

 venting the escape of nitrogen, but with 

 excessive moisture there is undoubtedly in- 

 creased danger of loss by drainage. It has 

 also been suggested that superphosphate, 

 gypsum, kainit, and other substances, should 

 be thinly sprinkled over the manure while 

 it lies in the stalls and yards, or as it comes 

 from the various houses, but it cannot be 

 said that experiments in this direction have 

 demonstrated results of much practical value. 

 On the other hand, the spreading of a con- 

 siderable amount of soil over the heap at 

 frequent intervals, will do something to 

 arrest the loss of ammonia, and prevent 

 excessive decomposition. Good results, also,, 

 will attend the use of a certain proportion 

 of moss litter along with straw bedding, 

 the former having greater capacity for the 



