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be kept in the yard so as to avoid, as far as is possible, heating, and a 
little care in spreading fresh additions evenly will be all that is necessary; 
to remedy this, in a great measure, gypsum, or plaster of Paris strewn 
over the heap would also be advantageous, as it would change the vola¬ 
tile carbonate of ammonia into the fixed sulphate. The custom also of 
adding lime to heaps to hasten their decomposition is injurious. The 
reason for this view is, that by decomposition a large proportion of am¬ 
monia escapes and is consequently lost; still, for crops that are of a 
quick growth, short well rotted manures are preferable, inasmuch as 
their action is quicker. M. Picted says, that “ an experience of more 
than seven years has convinced me that we shall be great gainers by 
using manure as soon as it comes from the stables,” but this is plainly 
impracticable, and our endeavors must then be confined to the preserva¬ 
tion of it in its natural state as nearly as possible. 
To preserve the liquid manure and also the drainings of the heap, in¬ 
stead of reservoirs, which would be too expensive for the majority of 
farmers, it will answer nearly as well to spread the yard with something 
capable of retaining moisture, as sand or peat, or any dry porous sub¬ 
stance. The value of this manure is vastly underrated, and little or no 
pains are taken for its preservation, while analysis shows it to be by far 
the most valuable fertilizing product of the farm yard.—(vide the pre¬ 
ceding note on the analysis of urea.) 
The relative value of long and short Manures is a subject which was 
formerly much agitated, but which seems now nearly at rest, but we 
know not which side claims the victory. 
If the principle above stated be true, viz : that the value of manures 
is directly proportional to the azotized principles they contain or produce 
in the process of decomposition, it must be clear that the full effect of 
manure cannot be obtained except it be applied before decomposition has 
taken place; for since by the separation of elements—the effect of de¬ 
composition—the volatile ammonia passes into the atmosphere, and its 
primary effect is wholly lost. But, as we have said before, by the appli¬ 
cation of gypsum or plaster of Paris, or by a layer of loose earth, the 
carbonate of ammonia is either fixed or condensed ; but even then it can¬ 
not be doubted that a great proportion of its efficacy is lost, as such sub¬ 
stances are more easily assimilated in their nascent state than otherwise; 
