PROTECT THE MANURE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6871, 8 March 1883, Page 6

PROTECT THE MANURE.

An English farmer on using, for the first j time, manure that had been made undercover, ' had his crops ruined by luxuriant growth. He , used the same amount as he was accustomed to of the open yard manure, and the grain was lodged before it was ready to harvest, !Thi» is a strong argument in favour of a pro* taction for manure. On most soils it is very important to have it well decomposed, so that the plants may obtain an abundant supply of food from it at once j but daring the fermentation process, to render ite insoluble compounds available, serious losses of fertilising materials are very often sustained. If the fermentation of the heap it rapid, there is danger of losing the very valuable nitrogen as volatile ammonia, which, passing into the air, is as likely to aid a neighbour's crop aa our own. On the other hand decomposition may go on so slowly that ihe manure a unfit for immediate use when wanted. It is no easy matter to conduct the decomposition so that the most good maEure may bo made with the least loss. It i», however, demonstrated that hot sun, wicd*, and rains, are to be kept from the heap, and that is, the best manure is made under cover. A method of box-feeding has been adopts by many, which allows the manure to accumulate under the aaimal* for months. It u feund that thi* system does not imply offensive stailt, and that there is little loss of nitrogen—the element of the greatest value, and most* likely to escapo. It i» only necessary to use enough litter to obsoro all the liquids. Covered yard* would sseure much the same condiUoas for the manure by protecting it from the drenching rains, and the exclusion of air by compact treading, which prevents a too hasty fermentation, it is certainly worth while for every farmer who contemplates the* use of commercial fertilisers, to «w that he i* making the most of the manure which his animal* are siring him daily. Preserve and protect it diligeaUy.