How to Save Liquid Manure.

Ashburton Guardian, 8 April 1880, Page 4

How to Save Liquid Manure.

{Prairie Fanner .)

An inquiry has come to hand in regard to the value of liquid manure—the urine of domestic animals —and the simplest mode of saving it. When it is recollected that it is to the urine in it, that barnyard manure chiefly owes its fertilising properties both as regards nitrogene and salts, the value of liquid excrementary matter will he appreciated. Some of the most eminent authorities deny that thei'e is any available nitrogene in horse manure. In 100 pounds of barnyard manure when it has been properly cared for, as has been found by anaylsis, there are sixty-live pounds of water. Of the remaining thirtylive pounds twenty-five are inert carbonaceous matter, leaving but 10 per cent of inorganic substances and 0. G of nitrogen as true fertilising matters. This, it must be borne in mind, is based upon good manure, and not such as has been thrown from stables and subjected to sun and rain which drive out and leach out about everything which will cause a plant to grow, leaving little or nothing that is

soluble. But urine, rotted with water contains a large quantity of nitrogen, and many valuable salts also, already dissolved and suitable at once for plant food. The urine of all animals is very much alike in chemical constituents.

For preserving the liquid, various methods are employed. The floors of the stalls in which the animal stands are laid with a slight incline, from which the urine runs oft’ into a small gutter immediately in the rear of the stall, and is conveyed to some receptacle provided for it under, or very near, the barn. The following description of such a tank was recently given by Professor G. 0. Caldwell : “First of all, a suitable water-tight covered receptacle must be provided, which should be deep rather than shallow, and have a capacity of ten to twelve gallons for every adult animal in the stalls, on the supposition that it will be emptied once or twice a week. This tank may consist simply of a hogshead sunk in the ground ; but it will be cheaper in the long run if built of stone, laid in a mixture of coal-tar, pitch and sand, liquefied by heat, or of brick first warmed and soaked in tar, and then laid in the same manner. The tank should have a banking of clay. A supply of water should be provided in addition to that coming from the stalls, which may he turned into the tank at pleasure; with this the manure can he diluted before it is applied, and the manure pile can be kept moist, for it is poor policy while making liquid manure to let the solid manure burn up by too rapid fermentation.”

The urea which exists in urine constitutes its chief value, and when the latter begins to ferment, the former changes into carbonate of ammonia, and escapes rapidly into the air unless means to prevent it are employed. The tank should be kept covered, and sulphuric acid, plaster, or peat, can he mixed with it, to prevent the ammonia from passing off, which will be detected by its pungent odour When it is desired to apply it to the field or to the crops light carts or hogsheads are employed. ,