OFFICIAL INSPECTIONS 62. II5 



manure is saved and proper absorbents are used, barnyard 

 manure is still an unstable product. It rapidly undergoes 

 changes. The deterioration of manure results from fermen- 

 tation, and from weathering or leaching. Farm manure loss 

 from destructive fermentation may be largely prevented by the 

 use of proper absorbents and by keeping the manure moist and 

 compact. The loss from leaching may be prevented by storage 

 under cover or in water tight bins. 



If .practicable, manure should be removed and spread on the 

 field at short intervals and in that case the loss of valuable 

 constituents is not very great. When the manure must be 

 stored for some time the difficulties of preservation are greatly 

 increased. These matters are fully discussed in the Farmers' 

 Bulletin referred to at the beginning of this article. Every 

 farmer is urged to get a copy of this bulletin, study it and put 

 its general principles into practice. If the present shortage of 

 potash should lead the Maine farmer to conserve millions of 

 dollars worth of plant food which are now being neglected 

 through lack of care in the collection and handling of farm 

 manures it would largely help to offset the losses that may come 

 in 191 5 from a potash shortage. 



Results of the Inspection. 



The tables giving the analyses of the samples collected by the 

 direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture during the year 

 1914 follow. 



EXPLANATION OF THE TABLES. 



Under the head of "Nitrogen" in the tables are found eight 

 columns of figures under the following headings : 



1. The nitrogen from nitrates. In this column is given the 

 percentage of nitrogen present as nitrate. Nitrate nitrogen is 

 wholly and quickly available. 



2. Nitrogen from, ammonia salts. In this column is given 

 the nitrogen from ammonium salts, chiefly sulphate. Ammonia 

 nitrogen while not usually as quickly available to the growing 

 plant as nitrate nitrogen is completely available. 



3. Water soluble organic nitrogen. This is the soluble ni- 

 trogen from organic materials, such as dried blood, dried fish 

 or meat, tankage, cottonseed meal, etc. It dissolves in water 



