The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-21
EeononnIcal Methods on small Eastern BARNS.

Economical Methods on Small Eastern Farms.
Philadelphia Record. 20 aAE uanaga8
There are hundreds Of small farms upon
which no cattle are kept, and the matter Of max
ing manure s difficult because of lack of mate
rial. But as manure depends for it's value upon
its quality rather than upon it's bulk, quite
amount of fertilizing material may be prepared
and saved at small expense for labor. Fine
road dirt should be used as absorbent, and it
SHOULD be placed where it will be safe from rains
or dampness. The best method is to have an
old clubhouse Or shed constructed for
the purpose, and about eight inches of dirt
should be placed upon the floor, which may be of
boards, cement or stiff clay. Upon this layer
of road dirt should be thrown all the urine night
SOIL refuse of all kinds, poultry manure and
scrapings, with another layer of road dirt upon
the materials. After several layers have been
made the heap should be kept constantly damp
with soapsuds This process should be con-
tinued until the entire years accumulation is on
one large heap.
In connection with the road-dirt a bushel of
kainit should be used with every ten bushels OF
the road dirt. Kainit is composed largely of
sulphate of potash, with proportions of mag.
nesia, salt, lime and other substances. all of
which are necessary ingredients OF plant food.
The value of the kainit does not consist in its
fertilizing ingredients only, but also in its power
of fixing ammonia it being superior to plaster
for that purpose. 1t is also a very soluble sub
stance. and is easily appropriated by the plants
as as it is applied to the soil.
AS kainit is sulphate of potash, it partially be-
comes decomposed in the fermenting manure Tor
compost) heap, and arrests the escape of the
volatile ammonia by changing it to sulphate of
ammonia, while the fat acids Of the soapsuds
also form numerous compounds, and hasten the
decomposition of the mass. 1t is not ont of
place to state that the most valuable constituent
of such compost is the urine, which is very rich
in heterogeneous matter, and which is usually
wasted on many farms. If pig or few hens
are kept, the manure from them should be added
to the heap daily, before the volatile matter be-
gins to escape, which will not only be advant-
age. but conduee to the health of the pig and
poultry. Not an ounce of anything should be
wasted that may be serviceable. On light, sandy
locations mari may be used in place of hog drift
preferred.
it will be a very rich compost, and contain
greater fertilizing value than four times its bulk
of ordinary manure. while its exceedingly fine
condition, the ease with which it may be applied,
and its soubility In water render it the best and
most perfect plant food that can be used, pro-
vided bag of superphosphate be applied on each
acre of ground in connection with it. Such
mode of making manure will at first seem like
a slow one, but at the end of the year surprise
will be excited by the appearance of the heap,
which will contain sufficient fertilzing matter
for a farm of FIVE acres, while the constant daily
additions to the heap will induce thorough
cleaning of the grounds, pig pens, poultry house
and clubhouse as often as possible. If horse
or cow be kept of course, the manure will be
better for the suphate of potash will effectually
prevent loss in any respect.