FEKMENHXG MANURE. 



53 



The following table shows the composition of the heap when 

 first put up, and also at the three subsequent periods : 



TABLE SHOWING COMPOSITION OF THE WHOLE HEAP ; FRESH FARM-YARD MANURE 

 (NO. I.) EXPOSED EXPRESSED IN LBS. 



" It will be remarked," says Dr. Voalcker, " that in the first ex- 

 perimental period, the fermentation of the dung, as might have 

 been expected, proceeded most rapidly, but that, notwithstanding, 

 very little nitrogen was dissipated in the form of volatile ammonia ; 

 and that on the whole, the loss which the manure sustained was 

 inconsiderable when compared with the enormous waste to which 

 it was subject in the subsequent warmer and more rainy seasons of 

 the year. Thus we find at the end of April very nearly the same 

 amount of nitrogen which is contained in the fresh ; whereas, at 

 the end of August, 27.9 per cent of the total nitrogen, or nearly 

 one-third of the nitrogen in the manure, has been wasted in one 

 way or the other. 



"It is worthy of observation," continues Dr. Yoalcker, "that, 

 during a well-regulated fermentation of dung, the loss in 

 intrinsically valuable constituents is inconsiderable, and that in 

 such a preparatory process the efficacy of the manure becomes greatly 

 enhanced. For certain purposes fresh dung can never take the 



