78 



As drying increased, pockets of house fly larvae began to show up 

 in areas now suitable for their development. Tilling stirred the flies 

 and caused them to reorient at the manure surface, but it is doubtful 

 that tilling at this rate prevented them from completing their cycles. 

 Pockets of maggots tilled one day had reformed by the next. Soldier 

 flies were still not present in large numbers and the manure was now 

 becoming drier than they preferred. 



By the end of the second week, manure began to break up into chunks 

 ranging from 3 to 10 cm in size (Figure 11). Although this was a sign 

 that the moisture level of the manure was decreasing, numerous pockets 

 of house fly larvae were proof that the manure was still not dry enough 

 to retard their development. The manure pack now held its shape over- 

 night and no longer threatened to overflow onto the walkways. 



By the end of the third week, manure was becoming more friable. 

 In most areas, manure had broken into 3~to 5~cm chunks which were 

 crusty on the outside and wet on the inside. Drying continued and 

 pockets of house fly larvae became fewer in number. The manure pack 

 was gradually losing volume due to the drying process. This was evident 

 from the increased space in the manure collection area, i.e. the space, 

 after tilling, between the walk and the manure pack, and by the decrease 

 in the amount of manure thrown onto the walks while the tiller was in 

 operat ion . 



At this time, the farm owner decided that the manure was dry enough 

 to be removed from the houses. Despite my suggestions that he wait 

 until a later date, the manure was removed and the tilling program 

 terminated. 



