108 Fertilizers 



Muck is used mainly as a source of humus, and serves 

 an excellent purpose as an absorbent in cattle stalls or 

 yards. Fresh muck, while varying in composition accord- 

 ing to its source, may be said to contain on the average 

 75 per cent of water and about .75 per cent of nitrogen, 

 and only traces of potash, phosphoric acid and lime. 

 Air-dry muck also varies in composition, largely owing to 

 the different proportions of vegetable and mineral matter 

 contained in the different products, as well as the amount 

 of water absorbed in its dry state. The richer it is in 

 vegetable dry matter, the richer in nitrogen. The value 

 of the muck as a source of humus is measured by its content 

 of nitrogen, while its value as an absorbent depends upon 

 its content of organic matter. It should also be re- 

 membered that it is generally very acid in character. 

 Analyses show its lime requirement to be as high as four 

 tons calcium oxide to the acre-foot, hence its use presup- 

 poses the addition of acid to the soil and the necessity for 

 lime to correct this condition. The value of muck for 

 either of these purposes is further modified by the labor 

 necessary to secure it in a dried condition. This product 

 is of doubtful value as a source of immediately available 

 nitrogen. 



The usual method of securing it is to throw it out of the 

 bed into heaps, and allow it to dry before it is used, either 

 upon the field or in the stables. Where a muck bed exists 

 upon a farm, it should first be studied in reference to its 

 possible drainage. If it can be drained, it is liable to prove 

 more useful where it lies than for the other purposes 

 mentioned. 



At the present time, muck is air-dried, bagged and placed 

 upon the market as " humus." It is very doubtful whether 

 material of this character can justly be termed "humus" 



