“4. The percentage of soluble organic matters, indeed, increased considerably during the first experimental period; it rose, namely, from 7.33 per cent to 12.79 per cent. Examined again on the 30th of April, very nearly the same percentage of soluble organic matter, as on February the 14th, was found. The August analysis shows but a slight decrease in the percentage of soluble organic matters, while there is a decrease of 2 per cent of soluble organic matters when the November analysis is compared with the February analysis.
“5. The soluble mineral matters in this manure rise or fall in the different experimental periods in the same order as the soluble organic matters. Thus, in February, 9.84 per cent of soluble mineral matters were found, whilst the manure contained only 4.55 per cent, when put up into a heap in November, 1854. Gradually, however, the proportion of soluble mineral matters again diminished, and became reduced to 7.27 per cent, on the examination of the manure in November, 1855.
“6. A similar regularity will be observed in the percentage of nitrogen contained in the soluble organic matters.
“7. In the insoluble organic matters, the percentage of nitrogen regularly increased from November, 1854, up to the 23d of August, notwithstanding the rapid diminution of the percentage of insoluble organic matter. For the last experimental period, the percentage of nitrogen in the insoluble matter is nearly the same as on August 23d.
“8. With respect to the total percentage of nitrogen in the fresh manure, examined at different periods of the year, it will be seen that the February manure contains about one-half per cent more of nitrogen than the manure in a perfectly fresh state. On the 30th of April, the percentage of nitrogen again slightly increased; on August 23d, it remained stationary, and had sunk but very little when last examined on the 15th of November, 1855.
“This series of analyses thus shows that fresh farm-yard manure rapidly becomes more soluble in water, but that this desirable change is realized at the expense of a large proportion of organic matters. It likewise proves, in an unmistakable manner, that there is no advantage in keeping farm-yard manure for too long a period; for, after February, neither the percentage of soluble organic, nor that of soluble mineral matter, has become greater, and the percentage of nitrogen in the manure of April and August is only a very little higher than in February.”
“Before you go any further,” said the Deacon, “answer me this question: Suppose I take five tons of farm-yard manure, and put it in a heap on the 3d of November, tell me, 1st, what that heap will contain when first made; 2d, what the heap will contain April 30th; and, 3d, what the heap will contain August 23d.”
Here is the table:
CONTENTS OF A HEAP OF MANURE AT DIFFERENT PERIODS, EXPOSED TO RAIN, ETC.
| When put up, Nov. 3, 1854. | April 30, 1855. | Aug. 23, 1855. | Nov. 15, 1855. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total weight of manure in heap | 10,000 | 7,138 | 7,025 | 6,954 |
| Water in the heap of manure | 6,617 | 4,707 | 5,304 | 5,167 |
| Total organic matter | 2,824 | 1,678 | 1,034 | 947 |
| Total inorganic matter | 559 | 753 | 657 | 840 |
| Total nitrogen in heap | 64.3 | 63.9 | 46.3 | 46.0 |
| Total soluble organic matter | 248 | 305 | 207 | 190 |
| Total insoluble organic matter | 2,576 | 1,373 | 857 | 757 |
| Soluble mineral matter | 154 | 204 | 138 | 130 |
| Insoluble mineral matter | 405 | 549 | 519 | 710 |
| Nitrogen in soluble matter | 14.9 | 21.4 | 13.2 | 12.9 |
| Nitrogen in insoluble matter | 49.4 | 42.5 | 33.1 | 33.1 |