FARM MANURES 



617 



When hay is included in any rotation it is evident that 

 the best results from manure may be obtained by placing 

 it on this crop. This, however, is often not advisable, 

 especially where the amount of manure is limited. A 

 commercial fertilizer may take its place on the hay, al- 

 lowing the farm manure to be utilized on special crops. 

 When applied to hay it should be spread as a light top- 

 dressing. When manure is used for such a crop as corn, 

 however, it is best plowed under, as the amounts added 

 per acre are often large. Farm manure in judicious 

 amounts may be harrowed in or plowed under in orchards. 



521. Resume. — From the general discussion already 

 presented, it is evident that barnyard manure, from the 

 standpoint of soil fertility, is the most valuable by-product 

 of the farm. A careful farmer will therefore attempt to 

 utilize it in the most economical way. The handling of 

 manure in such a manner that only a small waste will 

 occur from the time when the manure is voided until it 

 has reached the land again, is not an easy problem. 

 Manure is so susceptible to the loss of valuable ingredients, 

 both by leaching and by fermentation, that careful methods 

 must be employed. The utilization of tight floors in the 

 stable and of covered sheds or manure pits is to be ad- 



