MANURES. — THEIR SOURCES AND PREPARATION. 51 



of plants is also quite rich in ammonia. This mode of 

 manuring was practised by the ancient Romans, and is 

 specially adapted to warm climates where vegetation is 

 rapid and luxuriant. A good vetch that would make its 

 growth in the winter months to be turned into the soil in 

 the spring would be a most desirable addition to our cul- 

 tivated plants. The spotted Lucerne, (Californian clover), 

 is the best plant for this purpose on soils already pretty 

 good. 



Animal Manures. — This is the most important class, 

 and the greatest attention should be paid to collecting, 

 preserving, and economizing them. All animal manures, 

 when compared with the preceding class, are more rich in 

 nitrogen, and more easily decomposed and rendered 

 soluble ; but though the effect of this class of substances is 

 much more obvious, it is not so lasting. 



Its value consists in part of certain volatile and soluble 

 substances, which, in the common mode of preserving ma- 

 nure, are dissipated in the air or washed away by heavy 

 rains. In this climate it is necessary to shelter manure from 

 the sun and rain. All animal matter is either directly or 

 indirectly derived from vegetable substances ; hence, every 

 portion of the same that can be rendered soluble is a 

 valuable food for plants. Among the most important ani- 

 mal substances employed as manures are urine, and dung 

 of all kinds. The first of these is almost invariably wast- 

 ed, though in the case of the cow, it is of more value than 

 the solid excrements. It should be carefully saved by 

 bedding the yard and stables with swamp muck, wood 

 earth, or some other absorbent. Urine is particularly rich 

 in ammonia. This may be absorbed by the muck or by 

 sprinkling the floor of stables and the manure heap fre- 

 quently with fine charcoal or gypsum; this substance, 

 sprinkled upon the floors of stables, forms a compound 

 like the urate of commerce, so powerful that 500 pounds 

 will amply manure an acre. If you can obtain no other 



