other legumes possessed the power to take nitrogen from the air and fix 

 it in the soil. 



We have just learned that rains, after a dry spell, wash from the 

 atmosphere with every gallon of water more than one-half grain of 

 ammonia containing one-half grain of nitrogen, and deposit it in the 

 soil, provided the soil is in a good physical condition and contains 

 humus. 



Other powerful forces exist in nature of which we know little. The 

 ingenuity of man will, however, when necessity demands, devise means 

 and methods to utilize them which are as simple as the clover, alfalfa, 

 cow peas, etc., are means to secure nitrogen from the atmosphere. 



Knowing, as we do, that life has been sustained for millions of years 

 from the soil and other forces in nature, we are just optimistic enough to 

 believe that if we will utilize scientifically such means and methods as 

 have been unfolded to us and will do our part to solve new problems, we 

 will not want. 



Preserving Manure 



Does it pay to preserve manure? Does it pay to harvest your grain, 

 husk your corn and store your hay? The first question is no less impor- 

 tant than the second. 



Manure has a commercial value based upon the amount of nitrogen, 

 phosphorous and potash it contains. 



It has an auxiliary value in the organic substance which is equal to 

 the plant food elements. 



According to our best authorities, the value of manure is as follows: 



Cattle , $2 . 02 per ton 



Horse 2.21 per ton 



Hog 3.29 per ton 



Sheep 3.30 per ton 



Chicken 7 . 07 per ton 



Liquid , 7.00 per ton 



The above values do not include the value of the organic substance. 



The United States Department of Agriculture in Farmer's Bulletin 

 No. 21 estimates that, if the manure from live-stock is preserved, its 

 value each year is as follows: 



Horse Manure $27 . 00 



Cattle Manure 19 . 00 



Hog Manure 12.00 



Sheep Manure 2.00 



The ideal way to preserve manure in order to prevent waste is to 

 spread while in a fresh state directly on the land. When that is done, 

 there is no loss from leaching or evaporation and very little from wash- 

 ing. 



When conditions prevent the farmer from hauling it direct to the 

 fields, he should use care to prevent losses. 



Manure wastes in two ways — leaching and evaporation. 



72 



