1()4 ^^ Using Lime for Compost. [March, 



do n't let them fall in a mass but properly separate them, filling in 

 around them good mold, and do n't be afraid of using your hands ; 

 we want no baskets of chips, much less green stable manure, as is 

 frequently recommended, but if any thing different from the natural 

 soil, let it be earth well composted with decayed vegetable matter. 

 After having thus brought the earth snugly to the roots, filling up 

 all cracks and crevices, and leveling up the surface, your tree is 

 properly set, and will thrive. 



You may apply this process, not only to setting trees, but to every 

 shrub and plant whose roots derive their nourishment from the soil, 

 with equal success. You may thus set sweet potato or cabbage 

 plants at mid day, when the sun shines brightly, without wilting — 

 better then than after a shower. When quite dry, it may be well, 

 after puddling your roots — which should be done as you take them 

 from your hot-bed — upon setting your plants, to pour into the open- 

 ing a half pint of water, drawing up the dry earth before the water 

 is absorbed: this last should be done by a second person. This 

 process will prevent what is called baking. The water rising by 

 capilhiry attraction, moistens the earth at some distance around the 

 plant, and it starts forward at once, not even wilting. In this way 

 you will not lose a plant ; you will gain from one to two weeks' 

 time in growth, increase the strength of the plant, and do much 

 to insure your crop. 



ON USING LIME FOR COMPOST. 



President F. G. Gary, College Hill: 



Dear Sir : — I noticed in the last issue of The CincinnatKS, that a 

 correspondent in Fredericktown, 0., has made the inquiry : ' What is 

 the benefit to be derived from mixing lime with compost heaps?' 

 which inquiry you have properly answered in said issue. Allow me, 

 however, to say that there is one feature in this, your answer, in 

 which I differ a little from you, and in regard to which I will give 

 you my views, hoping that they may be in time to prove beneficial 

 to your correspondent. 



The point in which we differ is this, that you are afraid of the 

 ammonia — forming the most valuable part in stable manure — being 

 driven off, and lost by the application of lime. My dear sir, there 



