a, a very volatile salt which rapidly
changes to a vapor and is lost in the atmosphere. This causes a great
loss of nitrogen during the rapid decomposition of the manure. This
loss can be detected by the well known odor of the ammonia which is
particularly noticeable about horse stables and piles of horse manure.

Besides these gases a number of compounds of nitrogen, potash, etc.,
are formed which are soluble in water. It is these that form the dark
brown liquid that sometimes oozes out from the base of the manure
heap.

At the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station, the
following experiment was carried out to find out how much loss would
take place from a pile of manure:

"Four thousand pounds of manure from the horse stable were placed out
of doors in a compact pile and left exposed from April 25th to
September 22d. The results were as follows:"

----------------------------+-------------+--------------+----------
| 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 lan