COMPOSTS. 125 



know exactly what substances are contained in stable 

 manure, and they are able to point out artificial manures 

 which contain all these substances and may be used 

 instead of stable manure ; and the most important of 

 these have already been pointed out under the head of 

 inorganic fertilizers. 



401. Composts. How is the stable manure to be hus 

 banded so as to go as far as possible ? One way is by 

 the proper management of the compost heap. Loads of 

 marsh mud, of swamp muck, of earth from bogs and the 

 bottom of ponds and rivers, are to be thrown into the 

 manure cellar or upon the compost heap. The manure 

 heaps and the compost heaps are to be turned over and 

 over, till the contents are thoroughly mixed. 



So great is the value of muck or swamp mud, for this 

 purpose, that a farm is hardly to be considered complete 

 without a swamp, or muck hole. Fresh turf forms a very 

 valuable addition to the manure cellar and compost heap. 

 This may be taken from the sides of roads and of walls 

 and fences. 



Peat taken from the sea side, where it has been daily 

 covered with sea water, and mixed with one seventh its 

 bulk of slacked lime, heats and ferments, and produces 

 excellent effects as a manure. Any peat, saturated with 

 strong brine, and mixed with lime, would be equally 

 effective . Dana. 



Every farmer should make his own compost heaps, 

 according to the materials he has for them, always taking 

 care that no vegetable or animal substance be allowed to 

 be lost. 



Mud from the bottom of lakes, ponds or pools, is always 

 of much value as a material for composts, especially when 

 it has been long lying there. In every piece of still water, 



