STABLE MANURES 



43 



Analyses and Value of a Ton of Manure of Various 



Animals 



The commercial values as expressed in the last column 

 of the above table vary greatly. It is probably seldom 

 that horse manure from city livery stables is worth as 

 much as $2 a ton for the actual supply of plant food. 



78. Horse manure. — The bulk of manures purchased in 

 the cities is horse manure. It is much drier than most 

 other manures, looser in texture and acts more quickly 

 than cow manure. It is practically the only kind of ma- 

 nure used in the making of hotbeds. Its decomposition 

 in compost piles is very rapid and it must be carefully 

 managed to prevent the loss of ammonia. 



79. Cowr manure. — Cow manure is highly valued by 

 vegetable growers as a slow-acting manure. It is much 

 slower in decomposition than horse manure and may 

 be safely applied nearer the time of planting. Limited 

 quantities can often be bought at reasonable prices in 

 small towns. 



80. Hog manure is also slow in action and generates 

 very little heat in decomposing. It is valued by vege- 

 table growers, although very small quantities are used. 

 Some market gardeners near eastern cities have hogs 

 fed mainly with the refuse from kitchens, and kept gen- 

 erally in cellars or covered sheds that are frequently very 

 foul. Such practice is not to be commended from a sani- 

 tary point of view. 



81. Sheep manure is a hot manure, and when sufH- 



