Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1879 — Dry Earth in the Stables, &c. [ARTICLE]

Dry Earth in the Stables, &c.

The value of dry earth as a deodoriser is not generally appreciated. Yellow day is a wonderful absorbent of aramoniacal gases, and as such gases are the volatile and offensive features of the stables, It Is strange that this cheap corrective (is not more used. There is no cheaper or more comfortable bedding for cows in stanchions. If one will obeerve when the cows choose to lie down In the yard or pasture, be seen that they choose the bare ground, rather than the sod or bedding of straw. The same is true of sheep. We nave taken this hint, and furnished the cow stables with dry earth bedding, and found it better even than leaves, which we have always considered the best of all. Leaves aud straw are poor absorbents in comparison with dry clay or loam. In the pig pens dry earth has no equal. In cold weather we add straw or leaves, but until tbe weather is very cold the animals will be more comfortable with a bed of frarii soil, or of soil changed once a fortnight or week. In the chicken-house we have learned its great value as a deodorizer. Our roosts are over a sloping floor, on which we occasionally scatter dry earth. The droppings roll down into a pile of dry earth. This is turned over with a shovel each week or oftener, and we can say the chicken house is free from any offensive odor, and the bright combs and glossy Gathers. ofn the health of the rowls. Dry earth cel a good preventive, too, of vermin on cattle, pigs and poultry. It must be procured at a .dry time, aud stored under shed or in the stables. It not; only promotes neatness and health in the stables, sties and coops, but it saves the very elemeut of the manures which make them most valuable, and motet of which Would evaporate if not absorbed by the dry earth. We do not like it as a bedding in the horse stables, but it should be found in every stable, to sprinkle the floras with as soon as tbe bedding is removed In the morning. It absorbs the moisture and ammonia so completely that there Is none to rise into the hay, or to rqt the harness. v. Dry earth is the best saver of manure, and the beet deodorizer, and the best preventive of vermin that we know o^ When removed -from the stables, sties and coops, it should be kept under cover for spring user or for drilling with the wheat In the fall. It will pay

manifold.

L. N. B.