TALKS ON MANURES. 



CONTENTS OF A HEAP OF MANURK AT DIFFERENT PERIOD3. FERMENTED CXDBB 



COVER. 



It \vill be seen that the heap of manure kept under cover con- 

 tained, on the 30th of April, less soluble organic matter, kss soluble 

 mineral matter, less soluble nitrogenous matter, and hss total ni- 

 trogen than the heap of manure exposed to the weather. This is 

 precisely what I should have expected. The heap of manure in 

 the shed probably fermented more rapidly than the heap out of 

 doors, and there was not water enough in the manure to retain 

 the carbonate of ammonia, or to favor the production of organic 

 acids. The heap was too dry. If it could have received enough of 

 the liquid from the stables to have kept it moderately moist, the 

 result would have been very different. 



We will postpone further consideration of this point at present, 

 and look at the results of another of Dr. Vcelcker's interesting 

 experiments. 



Dr. Voelcker wished to ascertain the effect of three common 

 methods of managing manure : 



1st. Keeping it in a Iwap in the open air in the barn-yard, or 

 field. 



2d. Keeping it in a heap under cover in a shed. 



3d. Keeping it spread out over the barn-yard. 



" You say these are common methods of managing manure," 

 remarked the Deacon, " but I never knew any one in this country 

 take the trouble to spread manure over the yard." 



" Perhaps not," I replied, " but you have known a good many 

 farmers who adopt this very method of keeping their manure. 

 They do not spread it but they let it lie spread out over the 

 yards, just wherever it happens to be." 



Let us see what the effect of this treatment is on the composi- 

 tion and value of the manure. 



We have examined the effect of keeping manure in a heap in 



