Cash Value of Manure.

Southland Times, Issue 19185, 24 October 1903, Page 8 (Supplement)

Cash Value of Manure.

A bulletin recently issued l>y the l.'-S---■Jeiiariiuont of Agriculture empuasises tne \ulue of manioc and its economical employment upon me l.inn. it sa\s experiments show that the lertiiiMng value oi the manure oi our domestic animals lor one year is as follows : — For tlie noise *. i , tor the cow £*<j, ior tne hog jl „ ami for the sheep Ms. Computing the total value of tiie fertilising ingreiu-ent-j accoruing to the number of animals reported iv tne ii\e stock, census of lyuu We have lor me enormous aggregate, in round numbers, JuGyis,oUU,oou — not an insignificant ligure by any iineaus. The result, although approximate, is correct in representing the commercial value ol tno fertilising elements, nitrogen, phosplioric acid and potash, as found in the animal excreta.

Of course'it is impossible for the fanner in general to go to the expense and trouble, of shedding his barnyard to guaru against extremes of tirought or moisture, exposure and heat, or lor tne erection of a loau-to in connection with nis stable, and the consequent attention involved, but it is possible and hignly practicable for every farmer to attach such importance to this valuable farm product (for such it is), as to utilise it in the most practicable manner possible in sustaining tho fertility of his farm and in increasing the mechanical and oflysical conditions of the soil.

Some of the more important points in the summary are given below : — 3. Barnyard manure represents fertility drawii from the soli, which must be returned if productiveness is to be maintained .

2. The value of manure obtained in cattle feeding often represents largely the (irohts of feeding;.

H. Manure contains thn fertilising elements of the soil, renders the already present elements more available, improves mechanical condition, makes it warmer, and enables it to retain more moisture or draw it up from below.

4. The urine is the most valuable, part of the excreta., containing, much nitrogen and potash in easily available forms, lhe nitrogen easily escapes into the air unless the manure is mixed with the solid excrement or straw.

5. Poultry manure ranks highest il fertilising value, while sheep, pig, horse and cow manure follow in respective order.

b. tn a given class of animals the value of their manure is detormined more largely hy their food than by any other factor.

7. Deterioration of manure results from fermentation or by leaching or weathering.

». When possible it is generally best to apply manure in the fresh condition, especially for improvement of the mechanical condition of heavy soils. Well rotted manure is best for improving condition of light sandy soils.

ii. Fresn manure has a forcing effect, and it is therefore better suited to the growth of grass and forage plants, than to cereals.

10. Direct application of fresh manures to root crops often proves injurious.

.11. Manures should be spread on the land uniformly and not left in heaps And it might be added that evenness of application is best obtained by use of the manure spreader. Unless the manure is applied evenly, the soil is only fertilised in spots, and the best results cannot be expected.