No. 63.] 109 



roade into composts* with the stable manure, night soil, urine, &c., 

 collected on the farm. This is done by placing the materials in piles 

 of the requisite width and length, two parts of the muck to one of the 

 manure, in separate layers, to the height of live or six feet, and wa- 

 tering the mass with what urine, wash of the yards, &c. can be col- 

 lected. In this way the muck or peat will undergo fermentation with 

 the stable manure, and be converted into manure of the best quality. 

 This method is practiced by many of the best farmers in New-England, 

 and with the best success. Another method of adding to the quanti- 

 ty and value of manures made on the farm, is to cover the bottom of 

 the yards on which the cattle and sheep of the farm are to lie, w-ith 

 swamp muck to the depth of 12 or 16 inches. In foddering, straw 

 and the litter of the stables is to be spread over this yard covering, 

 to be cut up and trampled upon by the animals, and assist in ab- 



• The best place for a compost heap, is the barn yard; and the best materials, swamp 

 muck or peat and stable manure. The muck should be dug so long as to be drained be- 

 fore using, and then drawn and piled in a convenient manner for using. The heap may 

 be made by a layer of muck of the requisite length and width, arid six inches in thickness; 

 then ten inches of stable manure, then six Jnches of muck, then five of dung, then six 

 more of muck, and another layer of manure, and so on until the pile is about four feet in 

 height. To every twenty loads of manure, it is an excellent plan to add a load of ashes; 

 and a layer of muck should always cover the heap. In the fei-mentation which ensues in 

 the heap, care must be taken that the heat does not rise too high ; from 100° to 120" is 

 about right. The high temperature forces the germination of all seeds in the manure, and 

 thus destroys them. The heap should have the urine of the stables thrown upon it, or the 

 wash of the yards, or lime rubbish in foul water may be used. In making the compost 

 heap, layers of straw, weeds, &c. may be mixed with the other materials, and aid in the 

 fermentation. 



In Sprengel's late work on Manures, the following is given as a preparation for com- 

 post, that has in Germany been secured by patent : 



Twenty inches of straw dung, or else straw, dry leaves, weeds, potatoe stems, turf, muck, 

 or marl. This is to be wetted with dung water, or with common water, and covered with 

 night soil, poultry dung, street sweepings, pulverized bones, oflfal, kitchen slops, &c. 



One-fourth of an inch of coal or wood ashes. 



Three inches of good earth mold or marl. 



Eighteen inches of horse, sheep, or cattle dung. The heap is again wet with dung or 

 common water, and then covered with a layer of pond mud, ditch scrapings, mold or 

 muck, or marl. 



One-fourth of an inch of coal or wood ashes; and then a second course of strawy dung, 

 ashes, mold or marl, horse, sheep, or cattle dung, with a final covering of mud, muck or 

 marl. From two to three weeks in summer, and from four to six weeks in winter are re- 

 quired for the fermentation. If on any part of the mass the heat is too great, it is again 

 covered with earth or mud, and wetted with water. If any part does not ferment, holes 

 are made, that the air may reach these parts. When the mass is properly fermented, and 

 the substances decomposed, it is well wet with water, worked over, put up in heaps from 

 six to eight feet high, and covered with rich earth ten or twelve inches thick. After stand- 

 ing a few days, it is carried to the fields and harrowed in with the grain. 



