284 IMPROVEMENT OP THE SOIL 



different substances used for manure, their comparative value, 

 the best methods of preparing, preserving and applying them, 

 and the theory of their action in the soil. These topics, 

 therefore, will receive particular attention in the following 

 sections. 



Sect. 1. Mixed Manures, or those wliicli consist of Salts and 

 Gcine. 



This class includes by far the greatest number of sub- 

 stances which are employed as manures. It includes, 1. the 

 solid excrements of animals, such as those of the cow, horse, 

 hog, sheep and fowls, night-soil and poudrette ; 2. animal 

 substances which contain nitrogen, such as flesh, fish, bones, 

 hair, wool and soot ; 3. animal and vegetable bodies, which 

 are destitute of nitrogen, as oils, fats and spent lye of soap- 

 boilers. 



I. Solid excrements of animals. By an examination of 

 several kinds of excrements, and their known effects, we can 

 learn the reason of their influence ; and, by comparison, as- 

 certain what elements give them their cojTiparative value. 



1. Cow dung is taken, by Dana, as *' the type of manures," 



or standard of value, with which all others may be compared. 



The following is Dana's analysis of 100 parts of fresh fallen 



cow dung. 



Water 83.60 



r Hay 14.60 



Organic matter^ -l Bile, and resinous and biliary matter 1.275 



[Albumen .175 



r Silica .14 



Sulphate of potash .05 



Geate of potash .07 



. Muriate of soda .08 



] Phosphate of lime .23 



Sulphate of lime .12 



Carbonate of lime .12 



Loss 0.14 



Salts. 



100.000 



