Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-12-16
THE VARIOUS KINDS OF MANURE.

Opinions vary much as to the value of
different kinds OF animal excrement, when
used AZ manure The dung o. swine prob
ably the most powerful, The dung ofsheep
is generally of two kinds. Thatwhich forms
the upper stratum of our sheepfolds is
commonly dry and brittle, possessing little
cohesion; while that below is more unct.
uous and of different consistence-being
decomposed. In auv condition it is not suit
able for elevated lands which are dry; but
on low, moist, OF rather wet lands, it is
properly regarded as the best ameliorant
that can be applied. When sheep dung is
kept in close heap and rather moist, it
decomposees rapidly; but when not COM
pacted, with chance for its moisture to
escape, the process of decomposition is
more tardy. When applied to the soil or
voied over the surface by the animals it
decomposes more rapidly than most any
other animal excrement. and produces
more speedy and energetic effects. A too
large application often, from its great ener
gy, proves injurious TO the crop, and pushes
vegetation with an unhealthy rapidity, and
should Therefore be used in less quantitieus,
both as regards weight and volume, THAN
any other manure. From the excrement
of sheep, both solid and liquid, there is
eliminated large quantity OF ammonia.
This gas in not without its value to the
farmer, Of this we are not now prepared
to speak. In preparing dung for agricul-
tural purposes, it is well to mix it with
liberal quantity of some dry material which
will absorb the volatile products of de-
composition and become good loan, muck,
refuse hay, straw, and other similar sub
stances, are valuable. But whatever ma
teal is made use OF for this purpose, it will
be necessary to pitch the mass over fire.
ouently, and the more carefully this is done
the more valuable will be the manure when
used.
Tne excrment fpoultry-hens, turkeys,
&c, though limited in quantity on most
farms. is very energetic and of great value
In its nature it is very different from the
dung ofquadrupeds, and appears to con-
tain substance which is mostly composed
of aIbumen. Vanqueline aualyzed this
dung and discovered market difference
between that voided by brooding hens.
Isl OaS D6cn aSSerleu UN luOSe "uO ba'e
experimental carefnly!with the excrement
of fowls, and particularly that of hens,
that in order to derive the greatest pos
sible benefit from it, care must be taken to
comminute it finely before applying it, and
to apply it only to the saIhce without GOV
ering it up When it becomes necessary to
use it as a starting manure. it should al
ways be mixed with some qualifying man
ure-such as plaster. ashes, or common
mould. This is Necessary in order to abate
its natural energy and cause it to probably
act for a longer time. In compost 1t /:
probably the most valuable ingredient that
can be used. A steep made of this sub
stance may be proftably used in irrigating
gardens. It has sometimes been recon-
mended as an infallable remedy for the
various evils resulting from the ravages o
the "striped bug" as we'll as from the at
tacks of various other, ,insectiveous denreda
tors-the attacks of which so often prove
detrimental to certain plants. A very val
liable artificial guano is made by mixture
of hen excrement, muck, and other articles
but care must be exercised in using If, al
it is too powerful for many plants, anC
should not be placed in contact with eth
er the roots or stalks,-Gern'antoaoR Tel
egrdph,