Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-02-05

Shrewd and conservative estimates
based upon reliable statistics show that
each horse or mule produces annually
s27 worth of manure (based on fertilizer
yslues), each head of cattle $50 worth,
each hog s. worth. Recent investigs-
tions indicate that at least half OF this
great wealth of fertilizing material Ia
lost.
Here, then, 10 big problem In war
thrift for every farmer in this country.
Some of this loss is unavoidable, but the
greater part can be saved. On the dairy
farm the best and cheapest way is to
draw the manure directly to the field
and spread IL as fast as it is made. II
plenty of good absorbent bedding is used,
the most valuable or liquid portion of
the manure can be saved. Rain, after
the manure Is spread upon the land,
only helps to carry the fertilizing materi-
ais where they can do the most good
provided, of course, that the land 10
reasonably level.
There are few farms, however, where
all the manure can be handled In this
way. Very often heaps of manure ao-
cumulste beside the barns from which
away. Ofsuch manure Prof. Van Slyke
of the New York station said: "Taking
| into consideration both the amount and
the availability Of the plant food leached
| from stable manure, Il is not an exag.
gsration to say that two-thirds OF the
plant food value Is leached away from
much of the stable manure used on
American farms"
The best method of storage 10 In q
manure pit. A pit feet deep. IL feet
long and 9 feet wide will enable the
average farmer to properly preserve the
extra barnyard manure until he car
find time to haul II to the field. Such !
pit may readily be constructed, with
farm labor, of cement, or of hollow tilt
with q thin coat Of cement to prevent
seepage. The cost will be trifing II
proportion to the saving effected.
The manure pit should be 90 located
that the liquid portion OF the manure
can be drained from the stable to th,
pit. Since about half of the value OF
the nitrogen and two.thirds that Of th,
potassium are In the urine, according Il
Van Slyke big saving may be effected
In this way.
Barnyard manure, considered as plant
food, 10 decidedly an unbalanced ration
II is high in nitrogen (ammonis) an(
llow In phosphorus. II used freely, 1t Il
apt TO force rank growth OF foliag'
without corresponding increase In th'
grain yield. So 10 10 good plan tt
lsprinkle acid phosphate over the manur
nit at the rate of 40 to so pounds per tor
of manure. This will help keep the fiie
from breeding In the pit. The sctt
phosphate will absorb some Of the liqui'
manure. The free ammonia, instead o
Escaping, viii be changed into ammoniuu
nhosphste and ammonium sulphate-
both valuable fertilizers. Manure o
treated is not apt TO heat and will max
A much better-balanced fertilizer tha
viii clear manure.
, Farm manure adds organic matte'
which 10 needed by most Of our uplan'
soils. II also favorably Affects the hs<
terial life Of the soil. The benefits from
: even light dressing are noticeable to
several years. Indeed, o given amour
of manure will accomplish much NOR
when spread thinly than when oonceu
ltrated op . smaller area.
81 II there should not be enough msnur
y 10 cover the entire acreage to be sown
fall grains use 200 to 400 pounds Of CON
plste fertilizer TO the acre. Or, u ths
cannot be had, uss fertilizer oontainin
IL 10 5 per cent Of ammonia and hig
percentass OF phosphorus acid. Sue
fsrtilixsr may most readily be SOW
Ibroadcast as seeding time with . dri
Icarryine fsrtilissE attachmsnt.