FARM YARD MANURE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 118, 16 May 1912, Page 6

FARM YARD MANURE.

VALUE OF COMPOSTING

The atmosphere is the chief t. gent which produces the decomposition of the ammonia in this class of manure and-.causes it-to escape, and therefore the air must be shut out of the heap us much as possible. The free;the air can penetn;te the heap tv« more rapid is the decomposition ati<l . eons-eijuent loss of ammonia.. \ li ltitjo'jr.,'il.treatment of the manure dvn> not"'"exist unless .the heap is tightly compacted /ibsence of moisture in .the heap is it cause of loss, in the quality of farmyard manure. Tn summer the heat of the sun di ies ithe heap, and thus contributes to tlie loss through decomposition. Therefore the heap rhu«t not be allowed' to become too dry, even on the surface, and firom time to time in hot, d«\y weather, it should be watered. Jfc 3S also a good plan to ha-ve a shed roof over the.manure... On the other hand an excess of moisture is also injurious, and the heap should not be allowed to lie in water, as it may sometimes do in heavy rains unless mensuresi are taken to prevent it. .A. 'superfluity of water involves tne iWashing out ■of some of the soltfol*? nitrogenous compounds and part of the phosphoric acid and potash. For' ffchis reason a. trench should be .lug round the heap into which the superfluous water can run, and from this ,'af•tehviards thrown .over the heap ft-.OMi time to time as it gets dry. The proper management of farm-. yard- manure consists, in -hindering rapid!'■■decomposition and in preventing loos by' f!raining away. At the flame .time a certain cmount tf warmth in the heap is desirable to promote the slow process of rotting; as rotted farmyard manure produces the best results. Summarising, the manure should be spread evenly over [the he:.p; 'it'must be trodden firm; [the penetration nf air and the heat of tho stm must be prevened ■&& far ■as possible; the 'hoiip should not ice [.piled too■■• high. One thing also may -be.idone with advantage, and that "is tcv spi-ead moist earth now and iben over the heap in the course of its formation. The l.'.yerv of soil' absorb Ibe volatile ammonia and increase the organic proportion of the manure.