MANURES 403 



undesirable soil, and, when used as a mulch, in providing 

 protection from cold or preventing undue evaporation. 



On heavy land, turfs, leaves, vegetable refuse, and 

 stable manure containing a good proportion of straw 

 litter assist to lighten and let air into the soil. 



On the other hand, on light, sandy soils, manure of 

 heavier consistency, containing pig or cow dung, tends 

 to give the ground more adhesion and body. 



Horse manure, though so universally applied, is not 

 chemically so rich in fertilizing matter as some others, 

 but its cleanly and inoffensive character is in its favour. 



Sheep and poultry manures are rich in nitrogenous 

 constituents, and are therefore useful as top dressings 

 for growing plants. Night soil is highly esteemed by 

 rose growers, who dress their rose grounds with it in the 

 spring, but its stench is against it for use near the house. 



Liquid manures are valuable stimulants for flowering 

 plants, holding their fertilizing matter in a form which 

 enables it to be quickly assimilated. The following 

 liquid manures of organic origin are in common use: 



Farmyard drainings I part 



Water 3 parts 



Farmyard dung I bushel 



Water 30 gallons 



(It is better with this and other organic mixtures to 



enclose the solid matter in a coarse bag and immerse 



it in the water. It should soak for two or three days 



before use.) 



Horse, sheep, or cow dung ..... I bushel 

 Water 30 gallons 



Pig or poultry dung . \ bushel 



Water 30 gallons 



Soot i peck 



Water 30 gallons 



Soot \ peck 



Poultry dung \ peck 



Water 30 gallons 



(This last-mentioned mixture is regarded as one of the 



