42 



horns, and excrement of animals. It is more powerful than 

 vegetable manure, containing more nitrogen. 



Animals that have died from disease, made into a compost, 

 form a manure equal to guano. They are decidedly the best 

 manure, when attainable. 



The brain of animals, woolen rags, the waste from wool 

 mills, are considered in England as very valuable for manuring 

 Bones are also excellent. 



Of excrement, horse-dung is the best, containing most nitro- 

 gen ; hog-dung is next ; cow-dung is last, its enriching powers 

 being lost on the milk of that animal. 



In collecting excrements, care should be taken that the 

 liquid is gathered in a pit or tank. If left there long, it is apt 

 to ferment, and lose its nitrogen in the form of ammonia. In 

 such case, a little sulphuric acid and a few pounds of plaster of 

 paris should be put in. Manure should be protected from the 

 sun and rain. Horse manure, especially, should be imme- 

 diately covered, and mixed with other manures, or some ab- 

 sorbent earth. 



Bird manure (such as guano) is the best. Pigeon dung, and 

 that of ducks, geese, turkeys, etc., are very valuable. 



Fish manures are good when they are to be had. Fish 

 manure decomposes so quickly that it ought immediately to be 

 plowed under, or made into a well-covered compost heap. 



The Mineral. — Lime. — The best practice is to apply lime 

 in small quantities. Lime is applied in three states, quick lime, 

 slaked lime, mild lime, gypsum, or plaster of paris. This ma- 

 nure produces a must beneficial effect, when applied as a top- 

 dressing on pastures and meadows. During a drought, it seems 

 by its power of attracting moisture, to aid materially in sus- 

 taining the plant. It is best applied in damp weather, and the 

 quantity per acre is usually not large. The composition formed 

 by the dissolution of common salt in the water, used for slaking 

 quick-lime, is a very powerful manure. All saline manures 

 are very energetic. They fail, however, to produce a benefi- 

 cial effect, if applied in a dry season. The best time is just 

 before or after rain. Wood or coal ashes, though hurtful to 

 trees, are useful as a top-dressing for grass. Soot is an excel- 

 lent manure, giving a beautiful dark green color to grass. 



Composts are also no small portion of manurial studies. 



