MAINTAINING THE ORGANIC MATTER OF SOILS 165 



and the free access of air. Where possible it should be mixed with 

 cow manure to render it more compact. 



It' the animals are being fed in a shed or barn where the manure 

 may be left till it is hauled out there will be less loss than in any 

 other way. If a cement floor is used there will he no loss by leach- 

 ing and the tramping of stock will exclude the air so that very little 



FIG. 81. 



-it 



Fia. 81. How (loos this man handle manure-? The stains answer the question. 

 Fio. S2. When the spreader is filled the manure is hauled to the field. In this way there 



is very little loss. 



fermentation will take place. Various experiment stations have 

 demonstrated the higher value of manure and the lower loss when 

 kept, in this way. Compare figures 81 and 8X\ 



(c) Absorbents. Substances that act as absorbents of ammonia 

 and other constituents that would he removed easily are sometimes 

 mixed with the manure. Dry earth or dry peat may be used to 



