108 CONSERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL 



such a cover, and having it well spread and thoroughly tramped. 

 They sometimes spread the manure from stalls in such covered 

 barnyards where stock during exercise will tramp it down. 



Rotted manure is often needed for special lines of gardening 

 and for some farm crops. To produce well rotted manure, without 

 serious loss, requires good management. The manure should 

 be spread so well that the heat will not become too great. The 

 top of the pile should be left flat, or slightly hollow, so that rain 

 water will enter the mass and help prevent heating. If the amount 

 of rain be too great, loss -will occur by leaching. This loss may be 

 reduced by a cover of straw or other material to shed off sur- 

 face rain. 



Composts are often made by gardeners for the purpose of 

 preparing well rotted manure for use in their work. A good plan 

 is to make the pile of manure with alternate layers of heavy sod. 

 Leaves raked from lawns may be used in addition to, or as a sub- 

 stitute for, the sods. Lime, wood ashes, land plaster, and rock 

 phosphate are also valuable materials to add to the compost heap. 

 The tops should be kept rather flat to allow the entrance of rain, 

 particularly during the summer. 



Some of the benefits to be derived from rotting manure are: 

 Weed seeds are killed; the manure is not so bulky; its heating 

 effect is reduced and there is less injury to certain plants; it is 

 not so likely to produce potato scab or other injurious diseases; 

 it is much more suitable for use in flower beds, green house beds 

 and for potted plants; and the plant food in the manure is made 

 more quickly available. 



USING LIME 



Liming of soil is the direct application of lime to soils. This 

 treatment is usually very beneficial, and within certain limits is 

 exceedingly profitable. The uses of lime on soil are of several 

 kinds: Light, sandy soils are affected in such a manner as to make 

 them more compact and are thus more retentive of moisture and 

 plant food. 



Heavy clay soils are also affected physically. They become 

 more open and more easily tilled. They allow air and moisture 

 to move more freely, with the result that they are more easily 

 warmed in early spring. 



Any soils containing acid are neutralized by the use of lime. 

 Soils may become acid, or sour, by the use of barnyard manure, 



