252 HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 



The salt, when used, is dissolved and poured evenly upon 

 the top of the heap. I consider it one of the best articles 

 which can be used for neutralizing the acidity in muck. 



In my compost heaps I use all animals that die upon my 

 farm, or that can be obtained in my neighborhood. The man- 

 ner in which I prepare my heaps is as follows, viz. : a layer of 

 muck, then manure ; upon this I put another layer of muck 

 and then add sizing. I then put on more muck, and follow it 

 with ashes. If my heap is then of a sufficient size, after the 

 ashes are well covered with muck, I spread over the whole 

 heap, my chloride of lime, and cover it well with muck, and 

 leave it until wanted for use. 



I have used large quantities of compost, prepared in this 

 way, for several years, and I find it, both in its present and per- 

 manent effects, equal to barn-yard manure. It is valuable for 

 grass land, to be spread either in the fall or spring, and for In- 

 dian corn or broom corn, to be used in the hill, there is nothing 

 superior to it. I have a grass lot of four acres, which has been 

 manured with this compost for three years, and upon this lot 

 last year I cut, first crop, ten tons of hay, which was weighed, 

 and sold for $120. This year the crop was larger, and esti- 

 mated at twelve tons. 



Agawam, Oct. \st, 1850. 



Apple Orchard. 



Loring W. FisWs Statement. 



I have four acres of light loamy land, set with grafted and 

 budded fruit trees, about two hundred and fifty of which are 

 apple, mostly winter fruit. They are set one rod apart each 

 way, which is, I think, twice as thick as they ought to be. 

 They have been set during and since the year 1844. The 

 land has been manured with hog manure every year, except the 

 present, and cultivated with potatoes. No manure has been 

 applied to the trees. A wash of one barrel of urine and half a 

 bushel of salt has been applied twice each year. The trunks 



