II26 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



The Excrements of Horses are richer in nitrogen than 

 those of the cow or pig, but less rich than the dung of sheep ; 

 the}' have a somewhat denser texture, and cohere but loosely. 

 For this reason, the droppings are readih' distributed through 

 the soil, and pass quickl}" into decay. In consequence of this 

 faculty of decomposition, the nutrient elements they contain 

 become rapidly fit for absorption and assimilation by plants ; this 

 effect is shown by early plant development. The ^olid 

 excrements of horses are less lasting in the soil than those whose 

 action is more tardy. 



The Excrements of Coavs contain the smallest quantity of 

 nitrogen of the animals enumerated, but a fair proportion of 

 potash. They pass but slowly into putrefaction, and become 

 less heated when lying in heaps ; heating in manure is ex- 

 clusively a result of decomposition. In addition to this the 

 substance of these excrements does not acquire a crumbly 

 texture, but becomes sticky and compact, by which its distribu- 

 tion in the soil, as well as its decay, is rendered more difficult. 

 The slow but persistent action of this manure renders it 

 extremely useful for making up garden beds, when a lasting 

 effect is desired; particularly is this the case in Vine-borders and 

 Carnation-beds. Sometimes for Vine-borders one-half each of 

 horse-manure and cow-manure is to be recommended, because 

 a too-forcing manure in certain soils induces the production of 

 stems and leaves, thus using up the small supply of phosphoric 

 acid and of potash, to the great detriment of fruit-buds, blossoms, 

 and fruit. As a consequence, most of the blossoms are barren 

 and fall off, whilst only a few berries develop, and they but 

 meagrely. 



The Excrements of Sheep contain more nitrogen and more of 

 the mineral ingredients — potash and phosphoric acid — than those 

 of cows or horses ; but rather less lime than the excrements of 

 pigs. As sheep droppings contain a comparatively small proportion 

 of water, they are tolerably easy of decomposition, although 

 possessing a closer and more compact texture than horse 

 droppings. When mixed with their proportion of urine, sheep 

 droppings form a very powerful manure. 



For pot-plants, horse and sheep droppings combined, soaked 

 in water, hanging a bagful of fresh soot in the tank or tub, makes" 

 a capital liquid manure. 



The Excrements of Pigs vary exceedingly in their composition, 

 because the feeding of these animals is far more varied than that 

 of horses, cows, or sheep. As it gives out but little heat in its 

 decomposition it is called a " cold " manure. Large quantities 

 of undecomposed food are frequently found in the excrements 

 of pigs ; it therefore particularly favours the development of 

 injurious animals in the soil, especially the black millepedes. It 



