----------------------------+-------------+------------

--+----------
| April 25.   | Sept. 22.    |  Loss
|             |              | per cent.
----------------------------+-------------+--------------+--

--------
Gross weight                | 4,000  lbs. | 1,730   lbs. |   57
Nitrogen                    |   19.6  "   |     7.79 "   |   60
Phos. acid                  |   14.8  "   |     7.79 "   |   47
Potash                      |   36    "   |     8.65 "   |   76
Value of plant food per ton |   $2.30     |    $1.06     |
----------------------------+-------------+--------------+--

--------

This shows a loss of more than half the bulk of the manure and more than half the plant food contained in it.

CHECKING THE LOSSES

The first step to be taken in preserving the manure or in checking losses is to provide sufficient bedding or litter in the stable to absorb and save all the liquid parts.

The losses from fermentation of hot manures like horse manure may be largely checked by mixing with the colder manure from the cow stable.

Losses from fermentation may also be checked.

By piling compactly, which keeps the air out.

By moistening the pile, which lowers the temperature and checks the access of oxygen.

The manure may be hauled directly to the field each day and spread on the surface or plowed in.  This method is the best when practicable because fermentation of the manure will take place slowly in the soil and the gases produced will be absorbed and retained by the soil.

Gypsum or land plaster is often sprinkled on stable floors and about manure heaps to prevent the loss of ammonia.

Copperas or blue stone, kainite and superphosphate are sometimes used for the same purpose.  There is, however, nothing better nor so good for this purpose as dry earth containing a large percentage of humus.

Losses from washing or leaching by rain may be prevented by piling the manure under cover or by hauling it to the field as soon as produced and spreading it on the surface or plowing it under.

APPLYING THE MANURE TO THE SOIL

From ten to twenty tons per acre is considered a sufficient application of barn manure for most farm crops.  Larger amounts are sometimes applied to the soil for truck and market garden crops.

Barn manures are applied to the soil by these methods: 

The manure is sometimes hauled out from the barn and placed in a large pile in the field or in many small piles where it remains for some time before being spread and plowed or harrowed in.

Some farmers spread it on the field and allow it to lie some time before plowing it in.

It is sometimes spread as soon as hauled to the field and is immediately plowed in or mixed with the soil.  This last is the safest and most economical method so far as the manure alone is concerned.