168 AGRICULTURE FOR COMMON SCHOOLS 



In the preparation of the rotted manure for the garden it is 

 well to gather the manure from the stables and put it in a pile. 

 As soon as it begins to heat it should be forked over so as 

 to mix the outside with the inside. The forking over also 

 keeps it from getting too hot and burning. Should the pile 

 seem too dry, water can be put on, but care should be used 

 not to add too much. It will be necessary to fork over the 

 heap several times before it will be done heating. It can then 

 be piled in a tall heap and allowed to stand until ready for 

 use. 



A compost heap is about the same as a manure heap, except 

 that it contains all kinds of trash that will rot. Dead leaves, 

 straw, dead vines, manure from the stables, and decaying 

 vegetables are all dumped together in a convenient place and 

 frequently forked over, or if the hogs have an opportunity 

 they will usually keep the pile pretty well worked over. It is 

 a good idea to make a foundation for the manure heap and 

 compost heap out of blocks of sod. The pieces of sod will 

 catch and hold the drainage water from the heap. 



