288 IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOIL 



head, it is important to inquire after the best modes of saving 

 and preparing them. 



This knowledge may be obtained from the nature of the 

 changes which take place in them, in passing to a state in 

 which they can be absorbed by the roots of plants. 



1. If these substances are exposed to the influence of rains, 

 nearly the whole of the soluble geinc* the urine and soluble 

 salts will be dissolved out, and washed away ; hence, they 

 should always be put under some kind of covering, such as a 

 shed or barn cellar, which will prevent this waste. The 

 practice of throwing manure from the stables into the open 

 yard,t is as wasteful, as it would be for the manufacturer of 

 soap or potash, to leave his ashes exposed to rains for a long 

 time before leaching them. This evil may be corrected in 

 part, by the shape of the 



(1) Cattle yard, which should descend from all parts to- 

 wards the centre; and by covering the bottom of the yard 

 with swamp muck or peat earth, to absorb the juices which 

 pass through. As apart of the manure is voided in the yard, 

 such a shape is needed in order to secure it. About one 

 third of the manure may be saved by these means. But, 



(2) A barn cellar is the preferable mode of preventing 

 this waste, because it is more convenient, and more perfectly 

 secures the desired object. This should be of the same shape 

 as the cattle yard, and lined in the same manner with muck. 

 If now the hogs are permitted to work over the refuse of the 

 stables, and the night-soil, a task which they will perform 

 with admirable skill, provided a little corn is occasionally 

 added, the leaching process will be entirely prevented, and 

 the whole will be thoroughly mingled together. 



* The term soluble geine,is used to include Iiumic, crenlc and apo- 

 crenic acids, and their soluble salts. 



t Some recommend the practice of frequently sprinkling plaster 

 over the manure and in stables, to absorb the gaseous ammonia, which 

 will otherwise be lost. 



