A SELF-SUPPORTING HOME 



cents, planted it, and gathered in ten pounds 

 in February, when they were at 50 cents a 

 pound in the market. The compost to fill 

 the boxes is composed of fresh stable drop- 

 pings and mould from sod ground in pro- 

 portions of two pails of the former to one of 

 the latter. Our janitor procured and mixed 

 it for us for a dollar. Put a layer about 

 four inches thick all over the box, pat it down 

 evenly, then add another layer, and that 

 down until you reach a depth of eight inches. 

 Insert a thermometer. In two or three days, 

 the heat will rise to a hundred or over, and 

 then decline again. When it reaches ninety, 

 make holes about an inch in diameter, six 

 inches deep and a foot apart, all over the 

 box, into which drop pieces of the spawn 

 about as big as a thimble. Smooth over 

 the top to fill up the holes, pat down 

 smooth again, wait ten or twelve days, 

 then top dress with two inches of fresh loam 

 all over the surface. Press down smoothly, 

 sprinkle very lightly with water, and cover 



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