Farmyard and Green-Manures 123 



A pound a day to each grown animal, sprinkled around 

 in the stable, is sufficient. The same proportion and 

 amount may be used on the manure heap. The value of 

 this practice is, however, measured by the care of the 

 manure afterward, since the fixed constituents are still 

 liable to loss by leaching. 



The improvement of manures. 



Manures are improved as they are reduced in bulk, 

 and as the constituents are made available or directly 

 useful; this is accomplished by well-regulated fermenta- 

 tion or rotting. By well-regulated fermentation is meant 

 that which results in the decay of organic matter with 

 the least loss of nitrogen. The loss from fermentation is 

 greatest when the manure lies in loose heaps, the access 

 of air aiding the decomposition; the loss is least when 

 it is packed and moist. The mixing of the manures of 

 the various animals, hot and cold, also tends to reduce 

 fermentation. 



If the fermentation becomes too active, great heat is 

 developed, which causes the rapid escape of moisture; 

 the manure is burned and has a whitish and moldy 

 appearance, it is called "fire fanged." Under these 

 circumstances there is a loss of nitrogen. The "fire- 

 fanging" may be prevented by keeping the heap 

 moist. 



It is evident, therefore, that the improvement of 

 manures, while it reduces the bulk and increases avail- 

 ability of the fertilizing elements, requires care and labor. 

 Whether such improvement will pay or not depends, first, 

 upon the cost of labor, and second, upon the use to which 

 the manure will be put. Where labor is expensive, and 

 the manure is used for the growing of such gross-feeding 



