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387. ANALYSIS OF HEN MANURE. 



Sent on from Townsend, Mass. 



Valuation per 2000 lbs., $10.55. 



The material was dry and contained the usual admixture of feath- 

 ers, short pieces of coarse vegetable matter, earthy substances, etc., 

 yet not in an extraordinary degree. The value of the hen manure de- 

 pends not less on the care which is bestowed on its keeping, than on 

 the kind of food the fowls consume. The excretion of birds, on ac- 

 count of their peculiar character, undergoes a rapid change ; a large 

 amount of ammonia is soon formed, which reduces materially its 

 manurial value, in case it is allowed to escape. A liberal use of 

 plaster, of kieserite, or of good loam is highly recommeudable for 

 the absorption of the ammonia. The safest way to secure the full 

 benefit of the droppings is to gather them quite frequently, and to 

 add directly any of the previously mentioned materials. A sandy 

 soil is of little use as an absorbent. 



388. ASHES OF CHESTNUT RAILROAD TIES. 

 Sent on from Waltam, Mass. 



The material was of a dark brown color, and evidently not the 

 pure ash, for it contained 77.83 per cent, of worthless eartln matter. 

 The ash in the above described state does not pay carrying any consid- 

 able distance ; it is worth much less than leached ashes. 



C. A. GOESSMANN, Dm 



Amherst, Mass. 



The Bulletin of the Experiment Station will be sent free of charge to 

 all parties interested in its work, on application. 



