We have examined the effect of keeping manure in a heap in the open air, and also of keeping it in a heap under cover. Now let us see how these methods compare with the practice of leaving it exposed to the rains, spread out in the yard. On the 3rd of November, 1854, Dr. Vœlcker weighed out 1,652 lbs. of manure similar to that used in the preceding experiments, and spread it out in the yard. It was weighed April 30, and again August 23, and November 15. The following table gives the actual weight of the manure at the different periods, also the actual amount of the water, organic matter, ash, nitrogen, etc.: Table Showing the Weight and Composition of Entire Mass of Experimental Manure (No. Iii.), Fresh Farm-Yard Manure, Spread in Open Yard at Different Periods of the Year. In Natural State. -------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+-------- |When put |April 30,|Aug. 23, |Nov. 15, |up, Nov. |1855. |1855. |1855. |3, 1854. | | | -------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+-------- | lbs. | lbs. | lbs. | lbs. Weight of manure |1,652. |1,429. |1,012. |950. +---------+---------+---------+-------- Amount of water in the manure |1,093. |1,143. | 709.3 |622.8 Amount of dry matter | 559. | 285.5 | 302.7 |327.2 * Consisting of soluble | | | | organic matter | 40.97 | 16.55 | 4.96 | 3.95 Soluble mineral matter | 25.43 | 14.41 | 6.47 | 5.52 † Insoluble organic matter | 425.67 | 163.79 | 106.81 | 94.45 Insoluble mineral matter | 66.93 | 90.75 | 184.46 |223.28 +---------+---------+---------+-------- | 559.00 | 285.50 | 302.70 |327.20 | | | | * Containing nitrogen | 3.28 | 1.19 | .60 | .32 Equal to ammonia | 3.98 | 1.44 | .73 | .39 † Containing nitrogen | 6.21 | 6.51 | 3.54 | 3.56 Equal to ammonia | 7.54 | 7.90 | 4.29 | 4.25 Total amount of nitrogen in | | | | manure | 9.19 | 7.70 | 4.14 | 3.88 Equal to ammonia | 11.52 | 9.34 | 5.02 | 4.64 The manure contains ammonia | | | | in free state | .55 | .14 | .13 | .0055 The manure contains ammonia | | | | in form of salts, easily | | | | decomposed by quicklime | 1.45 | .62 | .55 | .28 Total amount of organic matter | 466.64 | 180.34 | 111.77 | 98.40