Manures for the Garden. 33 



as wide and long as may be required. Let it come to a heat, 

 and fork the mass over from time to .time until it is in the 

 desired condition. It takes time and labor, adding to the origi- 

 nal cost, and in deciding on the price he can afford to pay for 

 raw manure originally, the gardener will have to take this feature 

 in consideration. 



These heaps may be made during autumn and early winter 

 right on the arable land, and the material will generally be ready 

 to be spread upon the soil where wanted, when the time for 

 planting it with spring crops has arrived. It is absolutely neces- 

 sary that these heaps be of considerable depth, not less than four 

 feet, in order to prevent the rain-water from leaching clear 

 through, and washing away valuable food elements. 



Composting Stable Manure. 



Some farmers and gardeners utilize pig power in composting 

 manure. The raw material is piled into an enclosed yard having 

 a solid clay bottom, and here it is continuously worked over by 

 a drove of pigs in their search for shelled corn which is scattered 

 over the manure once or twice a day. It may make good manure, 

 but I think very lightly of this method of raising pork. The 

 compost heap, while in process of construction, is the most appro- 

 priate dumping place for vegetable rubbish of all sorts, the car- 

 casses of animals (larger ones cut in pieces), house and kitchen 

 slops, and other waste materials. Refuse matter of this kind 

 often adds greatly to the value and effectiveness of the compost. 



For general garden crops this manure, when in the right 

 condition (well rotted), is applied broadcast and thoroughly 

 mixed all through the soil, generally by plowing under in lap 

 furrow style, and by thorough harrowing. 

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