70 THE SOIL OF THE FARM. 



one-lialf of the whole value of the manure. The soluble 

 nitrates are washed away by tlie raiu, and the loss of 

 course is greatest in rotten manure, whicli contains a 

 great deal of its nitrogen in a soluble condition. 



The loss by volatilization is not so great. Where the 

 manure is kept in a proper condition as to temperature 

 and moisture, little ammonia will escape into the air so 

 long as the manure is not disturbed by turning, as during 

 fermentation organic acids are produced in such abundance 

 as to combine with the greater part of the ammonia, and 

 form soluble salts of ammonia. 



Manure made under cover is preserved from waste by 

 rainfall and drainage; but there is danger of it becoming 

 too dry if the litter is abundant, unless it is moistened at 

 intervals. To feed cattle in covered yards, taking care to 

 si^read tlie litter evenly, and not to supply more than is 

 sufficient to keep them dry, is a great economy so far as 

 their manure is concerned. Box-fed manure and manure 

 from roofed yards have been proved often enough to be 

 greatly superior to that which is made in yards which 

 receive, not only the rainfall proper to their own area, but 

 that of adjoining roofs unprovided with eaves and down- 

 spouts for its removal. 



When manure heaps are formed, a thick layer of dry soil, 

 ditch cleanings, vegetable refuse, or peat sliould be laid 

 down for a bottoming, and the earth or other admixture 

 sliould be iuterstratified in layers with the manure 

 throughout, so as to absorb any liquid which may tend to 

 escape from it; and the whole should also be to]ii)ed with 

 a firm beaten layer of earth in order to exclude the rain. 

 Dry peat is an excellent substance for mixing with manure, 

 as it not only absorbs the liquid portions of it, but 

 somewhat fixes the ammonia. A good peat will absorb 

 about two per cent, of amm:)inia, and when dry will stdl 

 retain from one to one and one-half per cent., or nearly 



