Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-01-22
SAVING MANURE.

There are several things to which the
farmer should give his attention in the
care of the manure heap. Putrefaction
or rather decomposition, needs TO be
promoted; such absorbents as will pre-
vent the dissipation of ammonia into the
atmosphere ought to be employed and
the robbery, by teaching, of whatever
sun and air have seen fit to leave prevent
ed. To accomplish the first of these OBJ
jects comparative dryness of situation is
required. Dampness is a necessary ele-
ment Of decay, but we think all that is
absolutely wanting for this purpose is
contained ny the weddings of cattle
Another requirement is the compactness
of the heap. Heat is sooner generated
where the manure is somewhat solid
the moisture is better preserved, and fire
fanging' or burning, is not so much to be
feared. The following mode, practiced
by Mr. Mechi, of Triptrehall, England
is considered by eminent English agri-
culturists to be the most perfect in use
The whole of his cattle, sheep and pigs
are kept under cover, on SPARED wooden
flooring, which permits their droppings to
fall through the openings into cellars or
chambers. To accomplish the end sought
more efectual!y, the straw is all cut up
into short lengths saturated with liquid
oil cake, or linseed, and mixed with ground
corn, and in this way his entire amount
Of straw is used solely as food, no bed
ding being required.
This system, when first brought into
vogue, was assailed by many of the wri-
tiers on agricultural subjects, and con.
demned in no measured terms, 'as pre-.
posterous, expensive, unsatisfactory II
Its results, and contrary 10 the nature o.
animals to feed The CycIopedia of Eng
HSh agriculture, in reply to the assertion:
says : These points must be decided no.
by theory, but by prolonged experience
With regard to the point which lies il
the way of this article-the value of ma
nure made by Mr.. ltechi's plan, it ap
pears self-evident proposition that the
5 mannre SO obtained must, from the alb
? sence of anything like active fermenta
t ton, be superior to all other kinds deri
a we'd from the ordinary modes pursued
4 just IN proportion to the loss sustained
n from fermentation by one or the other O
these The great gain in the value o
manure thus made, is claimed upon til,
assumption that ammmonia-the yer,
base Of enrichening substances-is almos
: wholly retained, that the mode most eff
tectually prevents the escape of this eIe
ment of fertility.
e In Belgium, according to Schwertz
d manure is accumulated in the stables.-
y The cattle are placed on kind of plai
:. form, raised above the pavement of til
IS table, and the droppings being withdraw
n from under them, are trodden down an
l. are allowed to accumulate upon the foo,
2 In Switzerland, Boussingault says, til
e urine that is passed by the cattle flow
d along a gutter which communicates wit
e a large reservoir containing water,
which not only are the solid excrement
diiIused, but in which the litter is WASHED
this being changed only twice a weel
The reservoir is constructed under til
floor of the cow-house itself, in order I
&c be protected from the frost. The fe
mentation ola mass so diluted is scarceI
"a perceptible, and, save from leak age. thel
is no loss ofdecompOsing animal matte
The liquid manure is raised by means
pump, and carried to the meadow in tai
placed upon carts. Rural NeU Yorke