VALUE OF SHEEP MANURE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1649, 30 January 1883, Page 4

VALUE OF SHEEP MANURE.

♦ Sheep manure, from its coldness, does not formont like horse dung, and therefore retains its value much longer than the excrement of the horse or man. It ranks among the very best of the manuies produced by animals, especially from those sheep that are fed with rich food for iattcning purposes. As has already been stated, tho mastication of sheep is so perfect there is no danger of weed seeds coming up after having passed through the stomach of a sheep. Both the mine and the dung are \cry rich in fertilising propeitics. Uica, the active principle ot urine, has a very large quantity of nitrogen in it, and sheep's urine contains, according to one of our best analysts, 2S parts of urea in eveiy 1000 parts and 12 parts of salt, among which is a large pioportion of phosphoric acid. In 100 parts of the dung of sheep theie arc 68 per cent, of water, 193 of animal and vegetable matter, and 127 per cent, of saline mattcis. This lfl-,3 per cent, ot oiganic matter contains as much nitrogen, which is the value of manures chiefly, as 43 parts of shore dung, 63 parts of hog manure, or 125 parts of cow dung, and is equal to 100 parts of the ordinary stable or barnyard manure. It is much drier than other manures, having but little water, comparatively speaking. For instance, let a horse receive 100 parts of dry fodder, and he will defecate 216 pounds of fresh manure, which, being dried, makes 46 pounds of dry manure, while the sheep, with the same food, would give but 128 pounds of fresh manure, making 13 pounds of dried. This is manure made with the ordinary method of feeding, such as hay, fodder, and such grass as they can pick up. But when sheep are fed with grain or other highly stimulating food for fattening pin poses, with food rich in albumen and phosphates, the oil and starch only are assimilated and go to the formation of fat and flesh, while the remainder, including the larger part of the salts, goes to the manure heap, thus adding very greatly to its value as a land application. This fact has long been known and used to the improvement of land by the English farmer, and must be learned and practiced by our people. The declining fertility of our soil calls loudly for all the aid we can give it, and it is time to recognise the fact that if we continue to draw from the land and never put anything to it, it will after a while cease to respond to our calls upon it. — Killib)ew\ SJw(j) Hwsbpiirhif.

Dr. Paul Nkis is about to return to Cochin China, where he will continue hid researches into the natural history, geology, and anthropology of that important French colony. Tjik summary of some elaborate researches on the evaporation of water from arable land is published in the "Annales Agronomiqucs." M. Masure concludes that, whether considered as a physical agent in the improvement of the texture of the soil, or chemically, farmyard manure is the most valuable fcitilising agent a farmer can use. Compared with other substances, it absorbs and letams a largcv quantity of vain-water ; it attracts and condenses at night the vapours of the atmosphere and their valuable constituents ; it absorbs the solar rays and the oxygen which are so important to plant life; and it renders the soil more porous and adapted for the penetration and ramification of the roots. As the dung is the principal agent in condensing the fertilising gases from the atmosphere, it is important not to bury it too deeply in the ground, but to take care that it is well mixed with the surface soil, or in special cases that it be used as a mulch. When the horses come off the dusty fields' it will do them a world of good to give them a real cleaning down. The dust stops up the pores in their skin and makes them miserable, just as it would bo with a man. Being unhappy, they cannot eat " well, and they feel tired. They get poor, then parasites attack them, and this makes them worse. Have the horses groomed down, and it will save food, and make them work 20 per cent, better. The Jersey sales which have recently been held at New York are noteworthy for the high prices which several lots fetched. ' The three-year-old Princess 2nd was knocked down for £960, which is the highest price ever paid for a Jersey cow. Princess 2nd is a handsome animal of a light fawn colour, skin very yellow, large and perfectly formed udder, and prohiinent' milk veins. Several heifers ■were sold at £310, £260, and £205. Where shall I buy my furniture and. — carpets ? You cannot do better than purchase frqra Garlick and Carnwell, who have now a very large assortment of iron bedsteds, varying in price from 10s 3d to to ten pounds, and keep in*stpck bedding of all sizes and kinds.' Their large factory is completed, and machinery in full swing, enabling them to turn out furniture quieter arid cheaper than hitherto. G. & C. always have ready a largo variety of drawin and dining-room suites. Special attention is paid to bedroom furniture, suitable to all classes. Great variety of carpets, Kidderminster, JJrfilfel*',"rsind tapestry from ' 2s 6d per yard. Liriotilcm and oil cldth for halls of Manchester' good*. 'Sheetings, calicoc*, hollands,towelling,flannels, blankets,, purjains, icretonn.es, damask, &c, &c. Booktotaiogrucs icnt pott 'free. Ladies and e^tlpnjan' about) tp marry will 'find our catalogue of groat lervjcos, Gnrlick, and Carnr