Animal manures

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33626, 30 August 1974, Page 11

Animal manures

Animal manures are ofi value chiefly for their; organic content. The plant, food value is somewhat vari-1 able and usually of such bal-( ance that supplementation in; the form of specific fertili-; jsers is most beneficial. The! release of nutrients to plants; (is usually very much slower; than from inorganic mat-! 'erials. If applied in a fresh state! - in the vicinity of plants par- j iticularly young ones some: [damage to them is likely! (from the release of gases' l during the process of decomposition. > Well rotted material not only contains more plant Ifood than fresh stuff but 'will not utilise beneficial (bacteria to assist in its own break-down at the expense of the plants growing in the vicinity. Poultry manure is one of the most commonly used

[sources of natural manure 'and generally contains some form of litter such as sawIdust or straw. As such it (contains a relatively high (percentage of nitrogen and a ■considerably higher phosphorus content but has a (lower potash level when [compared with such other (sources as horse, cow and 'sheep. Anima! manures, alone or ■ mixed with litter, make a 'valuable addition to the (compost heap where layers (should be utilised between that of plant refuse, etc. It will aid decomposition and produce a compost that is richer in nitrogen. It can be composted on its own but is probably best when dried. It can then be pulverised to break up all ! lumps and stored until required. ■ In this condition it is not unpleasant to handle and can be easily spread.