Production of Artificial Manure


must be added to effect rapid decomposition of nitrogen-poor
plant materials. Plant materials with less than 1.8 percent
nitrogen will require additional nitrogen to bring about decom-
position.
 Nitrogen may be supplied to the compost in a variety of ma-
terials. Leguminous plant materials rich in nitrogen may be
used to supply a part or all of the nitrogen required. Farmyard
manure which contains about 10 pounds of nitrogen per ton has
long been used in the compost. Manure supplies not only, nitro-
gen but also organic matter and a rich flora of microorganisms.
Fish used by early settlers in making compost supplied the
nitrogen for decomposition of the straw. Where available, fish
scrap or fertilizer-fish may be used to good advantage. The
use of chemical nitrogen has been advocated in recent years.
There are many nitrogen fertilizer materials which may be used
satisfactorily. Ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, calcium
nitrate, cyanamid, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate and urea
are all excellent sources of nitrogen. Cyanamid is especially
good because it also contains considerable calcium hydroxide
which neutralizes the acidity produced in the decomposition.
If ammonium sulfate is used, it is necessary to add 50 to 75
pounds of limestone per ton of plant material. Good results have
been obtained with 75 pounds of cyanamid per ton of mature,
strawy materials. Fairly rapid decomposition of water hyacinth
may be obtained without the addition of nitrogen to the compost.
 Phosphorus and Potassium.-Phosphorus as well as nitrogen
 is a constituent of every living cell and without it, cells cannot
 multiply. Potassium is also necessary for many microorgan-
 isms. Usually a small amount of these constituents will be
 sufficient. Superphosphate at the rate of 15 pounds and muriate
 of potash at the rate of 10 pounds per ton of plant material will
 supply adequate available phosphorus and potassium for de-
 composition. Finely ground rock phosphate in larger amounts
 may be used instead of the superphosphate.

 i MATERIALS FOR COMPOSTING
 Any plant material may be composted. Some plant materials
 decompose more readily than others and some materials produce
 better compost than others. Any plant material will decompose
 more rapidly if composted when it is green and succulent than
 after it is mature and dry. Young plants usually have a higher
 percentage of nitrogen than old plants. The mature plant