102 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES. 



for a few weeks. Then chop it down, mix thoroughly and 

 stack it again; then wet it well once more, and after a 

 few weeks it will be ready to put upon the field. This 

 process of composting destroys all weed and other seeds, 

 prevents the manure from burning, as well as the escape 

 mixed when stacking it. Compost thus made is suitable 

 for the finest garden, at a moderate expense, and the work 

 necessary will pay a larger profit than any other farm 

 labor. Watching the moisture and using the hose, when 

 the rainfall is not adequate, and thorough stirring and 

 aeration of the mass, are the essentials of the process. 



The manner in which Mr. Ira W. Adams handles ma-, 

 nures involves correct practice : 



"Clean up all the manure on hand just before the fall 

 rains, putting the same on the land, and either cultivate 

 it in or plow it under. What manure accumulates during 

 the winter, pile in a snug heap some five or six feet in 

 depth, and throw it over some three or four times during 

 the winter to keep it from burning, as well as to thor- 

 oughly mix it and thereby hasten decomposition. Put 

 horse, cow, hog, chicken, and every other kind of manure 

 that can be had, all together. 



"Never burn anything that will rot, but haul to the 

 pile, cornstalks, roots, and all squash, melon, tomato, and 

 potato vines, etc., as well as weeds of every description, 

 in fact, anything and everything that will decay and make 

 vegetable matter. Use fresh horse manure mostly to has- 

 ten the decomposition of said vines, weeds, etc., alternat- 

 ing as the heap is made. By so doing there will not 

 be a weed seed left with vitality enough to germinate. 



"It is well to have manure piles under a roof to avoid 

 leaching during the longest and most excessive rains, but 

 so situated that the rain falling on the barn can be easily 

 conducted to the piles, giving them just the amount of 

 water necessary and no more. After the rains are over, 

 some water will have to be applied from time to time ; and 

 covering with very fine, dry earth will keep the pile from 



