Production of Artificial Manure


 Compost No. 1 contained the highest percentage of moisture
and the smallest amount of compost was produced. This com-
post was also highest in nitrogen after 4 months composting.
These data indicate more extensive decomposition in compost
No. 1 than in the other 2 composts.
 Application of the composts at the rate of 10 tons per acre
were made on a Blanton fine sand in a tung grove. The composts
were spread broadcast and disked in lightly. Samples taken
4 weeks after treatment showed an increased nitrate content
in the compost-treated soils. Nitrification tests conducted in
the laboratory, Table 5, indicated that the nitrogen of these
composts was readily available.

 TABLE 5.-NITRIFICATION OF WATER HYACINTH COMPOSTS IN SOILS.

 Treatment ppm Nitrate-Nitrogen

Check ..... ............... .... .. ................. 0.148
Compost No. 1 (urea reagent) .............................. 3.618
Compost No. 2 (cyanamid reagent) ................... 4.730
Compost No. 3 (without reagent) ....................... 2.764


 Pine Needles.-Five composts were made using pine needles
at the Florida Forest and Park Service Nursery, Olustee, Florida,
July 20, 1938. Approximately 1 ton of pine needles was used
in each compost, except No. 5 where 1,000 pounds of pine needles
were composted with 1,000.pounds of horse manure. The re-
agents used in the composts were as follows:

 Compost No. 1
 Cyanamid ........................... ...... 75 pounds
 Superphosphate ...................... 75 pounds
 Compost No. 2
 Urea ............-.....- ............ 37.5 pounds
 Superphosphate ......-..... .............. 75.0 pounds
 Dolom ite ....................................... 50.0 pounds
 Compost No. 3
 Cottonseed meal .................... 275.0 pounds
 Superphosphate ...........-.......- 75.0 pounds
 Dolomite ................ ...-............ 50.0 pounds
 Compost No. 4
 No chemical reagent
 Compost No. 5
 Pine needles ................................1000.0 pounds
 Horse manure ..............- .........1000.0 pounds