Sandy soils are improved by the addition of humus and nitrogen. 

 The humus or organic material is of great value in holding moisture and 

 giving the soil permeability. 



The value of all these substances is greatly enhanced when made in a 

 compost with unburned lime, phosphate rock, gypsum, kainit or wood 

 ashes. 



In some countries, farmers not only maintain, but increase, the fer- 

 tility of their soil and produce remarkable yields by using muck, peat, 

 leaf mould and sediments from ponds and streams made in a compost. 

 Fish and meat scraps also improve the mixture. 



Poultry Manure 



Too often the farmer does not sufficiently appreciate the value of 

 poultry manure to give it the proper care and utilize it to the best advan- 

 tage. 



Poultry manure is richer in plant food elements than any of the other 

 farm manures. It is especially rich in nitrogen and phosphoric acid. 



On account of rapid fermentation, unless properly cared for, much of 

 the nitrogen is lost by evaporation. 



The droppings should be gathered from the floor of the poultry house 

 every few days and stored in a dry place. If stored damp and allowed 

 to remain so, much is lost by fermentation. 



It is a good plan to sprinkle dry muck, peat, dirt or mould on the floor 

 of the house. By so doing, the liquid is absorbed and the drying process 

 is hastened. Gypsum, kainit or ground phosphate rock are splendid 

 absorbents, besides they add to the richness of the compost. 



Caution 



Ashes should not be mixed with poultry manure for the reason that 

 they contain alkalies which increase fermentation, causing a loss of 

 nitrogen. 



Before using, poultry manure should be mixed with dry earth and 

 spread thin and evenly. 



If placed in the hill, care must be taken not to use too much. An 



excessive amount will burn the plant, but a very small amount will 



cause a remarkable growth. The writer knows of nothing in fertilizers 



as valuable as poultry manure to use in the truck garden, flower garden 



and in young orchards. 



Conclusion 



In concluding our appeal to farmers, we earnestly urge those who are 

 at all skeptical or in doubt regarding the value of barnyard and other 

 manures mentioned in this book, to make a thorough test of their worth. 



From the earliest civilization down through all the ages, manures 

 have been the source of successful agriculture and the chief staff in 

 maintaining the fertility of the soil. 



