SUCCESS IN MARKET GARDENING 



it should not only be insisted upon, but looked after, 

 and its faithful performance insured. Solid man- 

 ure should never be allowed to ferment, either out- 

 doors or under a cover, without the presence of 

 absorbent material to take up the gases evolved 

 during the process. This is the basis upon which 

 the whole theory of composts and management 

 of the compost heaps is admitted to rest. 



As already implied, it is necessary for green 

 manure to undergo fermentation, in order to 

 make its constituent elements available as plant 

 food. Some good gardeners insist that all manure 

 should be thoroughly fined before it goes upon 

 the land; that none should be carried on that 

 is not as fine as the soil upon which it is to be 

 spread. It is undoubtedly advantageous to con- 

 form to this rule as far as is reasonably possible. 

 However, green manure may be applied in the 

 fall and covered in with the fall ploughing, in 

 which case the fermentation, when it occurs, 

 takes place within the soil, making it mellow and 

 rich. At this stage, and until the warm weather 

 of the following spring induces fermentation, 

 there can be no waste of the manure by soakage 

 of water, because it is still insoluble. 



[52] 



