The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-24
The Value OF Liquid Manure.
Iphfla 5aIDhia Paoord

The manure on the farm is usually valued
ia proportion to the solid matter contained
therein, while the liquids are given but lit
fle consideration by some farmers. A COM
parison of the value Of the liquids with the
solids will easily demonstrate that the
liquids contain a larger amount of available
matter than the solids, and is also much
richer in nitrogen. IL is estimated that the
amount of liquid manure produced annu-
ally By single animal is 200 pounds for
pig, 1900 pounds foT horse, 1900 pounds
Tor q COW and 500 pounds for sheep. That
from the pig contains fourteen pounds of
ammonia; that from the horse contains
thirty-seven pounds of ammonia; that from
the COW nine pounds, and that from the
sheep eight pounds. While the value of the
liquids from the Disseminating for the
nitrogen, potash and q trace of phos-
phoric acids 81, the value of the solids
Is but 81 cents, owing to the fact
that while the liquids contain less phOs-
phorie acid than the solids they are 80 very
rich in nitrogen as to possess commercial
value seven times greater than that of the
solids. IL We compare the liquids and solids
from the horse the result will be three times
as much nitrogen in the liquids as in the
solids, but the solids being much richer in
potash and phOsph0ric acid, nearly balance
the deficiency of those substances in the lia-
uids. Yet the value of the solids is estimated
ct SIC, and that ofthe liquids at 1915. The COW
produces, In value, worth OF SOHO manure
and 50 OF liquid manure, the ammonia in both
being nearly equal, but the solids excelling in
phosphoric acid and potash. While the es-
innate of the amount of liquid manure from
the sheep is placed at 500 pounds, the amount
of the solids is only fifty pounds, and though
liquids largely predominant in both potash
and nitrogen. The value of the liquids is
$3.50 per annum, while that of the solids is
estimated sc only fifty cents
The estimates given are from carefully
conducted experiments, and, though liable
to variation to certain extent, enable Us to
estimate the true value OF the many millions
of gsllons of liquid manure annually lost to
agriculture and the country by omission to
save such waste and apply il properly. On
every farm there should be suitable methods
devised for collecting the liquids and con-
Quoting them TO q proper receptacle, where
they may be intimately mixed with proper
sbsorbents. Upon this matter we have made
suggestions before, but there is another i'm
portant consideration, which is, that when
crops are supplied with solid manure that
has been deprived of the liquid portion, dis
appointment often results to the crop, the
plants lacking nutriment, though grow
ing on q highly-manured soil. To
demonstrate this, let US notice the wheat
plant 1t has a strong preference for
nitrogen, and that element If deficient in
the coil, must be supplied. or the plant viii
not come to full growth and maturity.
While the farmer may strictly do his duty
TO the soil by the profuse application Of
solid manure, he will supply an excess of
potash with probably insufficient nitrogen,
If such manure is produced by the horse or
COW, and if the manure used be from the
pig or sheep the wheat plant will be bene-
flied 80 slightly as to produce but an inferior
crop. Should the farmer, however. apply
both The liquid and solid portions of the ma
nure to the crop, the combination, being a
perfect plant food, will contain a full pro-
quired-potash, nitrogen and phosphoric
acid-snd any excess remaining over will be
retained on heavy soils, to some degree, foI
succeeding season. The liquids being more
soluble, move valuable and more immedi
stely available as plant food, should receive
who cultivate the soil.