Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1869 — Compost Heaps. [ARTICLE]

Compost Heaps.

It is often recommended that when manure is thrown jpto ‘h<frpCln it should be covered With aTßyelrwurfth to prevent the escape of the ammonia. The experiments of Dr, Voeleker, at- thejtoyal Agricultural College in, England, have established the fact that the evaporation of ammonia from laitee heaps of manure, goer on but slightly,; for the reason that, during the decomposition of the manure, certain orgwnffi acids are formed at the Mine time tlfe Ammonia is evolved, and then immediately unite with the ammonia, forming noH-volktile compounds. There is an active escape of ammonia from the interior of large heaps, where the heat is too great for the chemical changes above referred to; but,aajft approaches the exterior, parts of the heap, where the beat is very much leas, ihetammonia is completely taken up by the organic acids and retained. There will be but a trifling escape of ammonia while there is sufficient moisture to retain it, for water absorbs and retains many hundred times its bulk of ammonia gas at ordinary temperatures. These non-volatile compounds, from being highly soluble in water, are liable to be washed away fry every rain storm, giving the well-known brown color to the drainings of manure heaps.— Ameriean JLgriculturiot.