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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 excrements, horse-dung is the best, containing 

 most nitrogen ; 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 immediately covered, and 

 mixed with other manures, or some absorbent 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 immedi- 

 ately to be plowed under, or made into a Avell 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 manure produces a most 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 sustaining the plant. It 

 is best applied in damp weather, and the quantity per 

 acre is usually not large. The composition formed by 



