HOW TO PREPARE THE SOH. 



erably horse and cow manure mixed) about six 

 feet wide at the bottom and four feet high, and 

 of any length desired, is made with sloping sides, 

 so that the top of the pile is about three feet wide. 

 About an inch of top soil is then thrown loosely 

 over the entire pile. Thus covered the manure 

 heats and in a week or ten days produces steam, 

 which rises when the pile is opened for inspection. 

 The pile, earth and all, is then turned with a six- 

 tined fork, all lumps are thoroughly broken, and 

 a new pile is made. The new pile is covered with 

 earth as before and allowed to stand about ten 

 days or until it heats again, when the process is 

 repeated. Every ten days, as often as the pile 

 heats, which it usually does four or five times, it is 

 turned and covered. When it ceases to heat it is 

 left to stand until used. The turning of the pile 

 supplies the required air to the bacteria in the 

 manure. Without air they die, the manure fire- 

 fangs and becomes almost worthless. 



The pile of compost should be made at least 

 four months before using ; six months is a prefer- 

 able period. By the time it is used, it will be 

 found to be black, friable, and easily handled 

 with a spade instead of a fork. 



The distinct advantages in composting ma- 



147 



