“We pile the manure, therefore,” said Charley, “first, because we do not wish it to lie exposed to the rain in the yards, and, second, because fermenting it in the heap renders it more soluble, and otherwise more available for the crops, when applied to the land.”
That is it exactly, and another reason for piling manure is, that the fermentation greatly reduces its bulk, and we have less labor to perform in drawing it out and spreading it. Ellwanger & Barry, who draw several thousand loads of stable-manure every year, and pile it up to ferment, tell me that it takes three loads of fresh manure to make one load of rotted manure. This, of course, has reference to bulk, and not weight. Three tons of fresh barn-yard manure, according to the experiments of Dr. Vœlcker, will make about two tons when well rotted. Even this is a great saving of labor, and the rotted manure can be more easily spread, and mixed more thoroughly with the soil—a point of great importance.
“Another reason for fermenting manure,” said the Squire, “is the destruction of weed-seeds.”
“That is true,” said I, “and a very important reason; but I try not to think about this method of killing weed-seeds. It is a great deal better to kill the weeds. There can be no doubt that a fermenting manure-heap will kill many of the weed-seeds, but enough will usually escape to re-seed the land.”
It is fortunate, however, that the best means to kill weed-seeds in the manure, are also the best for rendering the manure most efficient. I was talking to John Johnston on this subject a few days ago. He told me how he piled manure in his yards.
“I commence,” he said, “where the heap is intended to be, and throw the manure on one side, until the bare ground is reached.”
“What is the use of that?” I asked.
“If you do not do so,” he replied, “there will be some portion of the manure under the heap that will be so compact that it will not ferment, and the weed-seeds will not be killed.”
“You think,” said I, “that weed-seeds can be killed in this way?”