398 POTTLTBY CirLTTJRE 



sible, prevent the escape of nitrogen into the air in the form of 

 ammonia. In order to do this the droppings must be deprived 

 of a part of their moisture as soon as possible. This can best 

 be done by mixing some dry material with it which will act as 

 an absorbent. It is a good plan to spread an absorbent on the 

 dropping boards. Those materials giving the best results are 

 sifted coal ashes, land plaster or gypsum. Enough of the 

 material should be used to dry up the moisture. Wood ashes 

 and lime should not be used, as they set the nitrogen free. 

 The storage-house should have a floor and cracks that will 

 allow air to pass into the mass of manure so as to ensure that 

 it be kept dry. The building must not leak, as wetting the 

 manure should be guarded against. 



The best results will be obtained if it be used at once on the 

 growing crops. If manure be placed on the bare ground dur- 

 ing the winter months, fully one-half of the fertihzing value 

 will be lost through leaching. 



Poultry manure can also be stored in boxes and these boxes 

 be kept dry in a place. Holes bored in the sides of these boxes 

 will, to a certain extent, allow of a circulation of air through 

 it and prevent fermentation. 



Poultry manure makes an excellent fertilizer for grass and 

 fodder crops. For top dressing it is recommended to mix 1000 

 pounds of hen droppings, 60 pounds of superphosphate, and 40 

 pounds of potash. For raising garden truck, mix 1000 pounds 

 droppings, 250 pounds superphosphate, 100 pounds sulphate of 

 potash. We are told that this formula is equal to fertilizers 

 ordinarily sold at $40 a ton. 



For a fertilizer for corn use 1000 pounds hen droppings, 40 

 pounds superphosphate, and 100 pounds muriate of potash. 

 Of this mixture use }-^ ton to the acre of corn and 1 ton to the 

 acre of oats. 



For mangles, use on each acre of ground 3000 pounds of hen 

 droppings, 750 pounds of superphosphate, and 300 pounds sul- 

 phate of potash. 



It has also been recommended that to each 30 pounds of 

 fresh droppings there should be added 10 pounds of sawdust, 

 16 pounds of acid phosphate, and 8 pounds of kainite. In 

 this the sawdust absorbs much of the moisture, and the acid 



