MANURIAL VALUE OF FEEDING STUFFS 219 



fertilizing value than the feces, except with the pig, which voids a 

 watery urine. The fertility in urine is also in solution and much more 

 readily available to plants than that in the feces. Obviously, plenty 

 of bedding should be used to absorb this valuable fertilizer. 



A manure pile under the eaves, against the side of the barn, or 

 manure lying for months in an open barn yard, is a sight all too com- 

 mon on American farms. When manure is exposed to the leaching 

 action of rains, the losses are great, even amounting to half of the total 

 value in periods of 2 to 5 months. Unfortunately, the loss falls on the 

 constituents which are most soluble and therefore most quickly available 

 to plants. 



Thru fermentation a large share of the nitrogen in the manure may 

 be lost as ammonia or gaseous nitrogen. The strong smell common in 

 close horse stables is due to the escaping ammonia produced by the 

 breaking down of nitrogen compounds in the urine. In the hot fer- 

 mentations which take place in dry, loosely-packed manure, the tem- 

 perature may rise high enough to cause "fire fanging," when as much 

 as 80 per ct. of the nitrogen may be lost. Phosphoric acid and potash 

 are not lost thru fermentation, but heavy losses may occur thru 

 leaching. 



Care of manure. — To prevent loss in manure, the urine should be 

 saved by having tight gutters and using plenty of bedding. If possible, 

 the manure should be drawn directly to the fields and spread each day. 

 When this cannot be done it should be stored, preferably under cover, 

 in well-packed piles kept moist to prevent hot fermentation. If hogs 

 or cattle have access to the shed, they aid in firming the pile. In 

 Europe manure is often stored in pits or cisterns. When it is necessary 

 to leave manure out of doors, the pile should be made high and com- 

 pact, so that rains will not soak thru, and should be built with the sides 

 perpendicular and the top sloping toward the center. It is impossible 

 to prevent all waste in caring for manure, but under proper manage- 

 ment not over 10 to 20 per ct. of the nitrogen and practically none of 

 the phosphoric acid and potash will be lost. 



QUESTIONS 



1. How is the fertilizing value of feeding stuffs and farm manures computed? 



2. About what part of the fertilizing constituents do mature work horses void 

 in the manure; fattening pigs; dairy cows? 



3. Give examples of feeds which are rich and of others which are low in fer- 

 tilizing constituents. 



4. What is the manurial value of a feed? 



5. A farmer who intends to fatten some steers has on his farm shelled corn, 

 corn silage, and clover hay. To provide a well-balanced ration, he sells 10 tons 

 of corn and buys as much cottonseed meal as he can with the proceeds. Using 



