187 



have generally been loosely constructed, allowing the free circulation of 

 air which has dried out the manure. We have already seen the losses 

 caused by diy fermentation. On this account barn cellars, so common 

 in New England, possess decided advantages as receptacles for manure. 

 The common practice of allowing swine to "work over" the manure in 

 these cellars is a wise one, since it mixes the manure and keeps it well 

 packed and moist. In fact, if these cellars are provided with impervi 

 ous bottoms to hold the liquid manure, this system of storing manure 

 is probably the mcst perfect practised. 



In the method practised in France, the manure heap is under cover 

 and well compacted. Loam, peaty earth, or similar materials are added 

 to moderate fermentation. The impervious floors on which the heap 

 is placed, as explained on page 180, are so arranged that the teachings 

 may be collected and returned to the heap, thus keeping it moderately 

 moist. To prevent mixing fresh manure with old, two floors are pro- 

 vided, 60 that the manure on one may ferment undisturbed while the 

 other is used. 



The method in which the manure is carried regularly from the stable 

 and placed in shallow pits with impervious bottoms, where it is closely 

 packed by allowing animals to run over it, is practised to a consider- 

 able extent both in this country and in Europe, and, as recent experi- 

 ments at the Pennsylvania Station indicate, it is probably as safe a 

 method as stoi ing in an open shed where no special precautions are 

 taken to keep the manure moist throughout. The objections to it are 

 that the manure is subjected to extremes of drought and moisture and 

 must suffer injury in consequence unless special precautions are taken 

 to guard against these extremes. 



A third method, which originated in Europe and is practiced to some 

 extent in this country, is that in which the soil in the stable is removed 

 to a level below that of the outside and the bottoms tamped or 

 cemented. The manure is allowed to accumulate under the animals 

 until it is hauled to the fields, bedding being used in abundance. The 

 feeding troughs are made adjustable so that they can be raised or 

 lowered as required. The manure becomes highly compacted and is 

 kept in a favourable condition of moisture, so that fermentation pro- 

 ceeds slowly and uniformly. At the same time the manure is com- 

 pletely protected from the action of the weather. As would naturally 

 be expected under the circumstances, the manure obtained is stronger 

 than that allowed to ferment in heaps in the ordinary way. This 

 method is highly regarded where it is practised and it is claimed that 

 the health of the animals does not suffer. 



It is hard to understand, however [says Storer], how the hoofs of the animals can 

 always escape the diseases that are apt to be caused by certain minute organisms 

 ■which appear to harbour in fermenting dung, and no man can tell without trial how 

 well the system would answer for dairy farms in this country, i. e., in the warmer 

 parts of it. Doubtless it would serve well enough, however, in the case of fatten- 

 ing cattle. 



Whatever the system adopted, ihe following general rules should be 

 observed in the storage of manure : (1) Spread the manure out uni- 

 formly; (2) guard as much as possible against the access of air; (3) 

 keep the manure always moist, but not too wet; (4) protect the heap 

 from sunshine. 



