1907.] 



The Value of Poultry Manure. 



719 



traced to slugs by Mr. John Riley, of Putley Court. Similar 

 injury occurred in plantations near Evesham, but it appears to 

 have been attributed to frost by local growers. 



The Blackbird. — A very serious pest in fruit plantations during 

 the past year has been the blackbird, which caused endless loss 

 in bush and orchard fruit, especially in Kent, Herefordshire, 

 and Worcestershire. There is no doubt that this bird has 

 unduly increased in numbers in recent years. Its ravages were 

 particularly noticed in apple plantations. 



Frkd. V. Theobald. 



THE VALUE OF POULTRY MANURE. 



Whilst it is recognized that proportionately to the weight of 

 fowls and to the amount of food consumed the quantity of 

 manure produced by the various species of poultry is of con- 

 siderable importance to farmers and other cultivators, the data 

 available are very incomplete. Until recent years, with few ex- 

 ceptions, fowls were kept upon farms to so limited an extent 

 that the value of their manure was of minor consideration, but 

 with increased numbers the position is rather different. For the 

 purpose of throwing further light on this question, a series of 

 observations has been made during the past twelve months at 

 the College Poultry Farm, Theale, and analyses of various 

 samples of manure have been made by Mr. J. W. Taylor, 

 Agricultural Chemist at the University College, Reading, on 

 which estimates as to their relative values can be based. 



Arrangements. — In order to ascertain the average amount of 

 manure produced by individual birds, several observations have 

 been made, the results of which are remarkably uniform. The 

 specimens selected for this purpose were taken from the ordinary 

 stock upon the College Poultry Farm. Excepting in the case of 

 those put up for fattening, they had not been specially fed, 

 but were average birds. In the case of A, B, and C, these were 

 taken direct from the grass fields to the cages, where they were 

 allowed to remain twenty-four hours before any record was 

 made, in order that they might settle down to their new con- 

 ditions, The cages were provided with dry wooden floors, on 

 which the manure remained, and no sand or soil was used as 



