08 MANURES. 



substances, mixed with more or less earth. Its prin- 

 cipal constituent is carbon, in different degrees of 

 development, which has remained after the decom- 

 position of vegetable matter. Muck varies largely 

 in its quality according to the amount of carbon 

 which it contains, and the completeness of its decom- 

 position. The best muck is usually found in compa- 

 ratively dry locations, where the water which once 

 caused the deposit has been removed. Muck which has 

 been long in this condition, is usually better decom- 

 posed than that which is saturated with water. The 

 muck from swamps, however, may soon be brought 

 to the best condition. It should be thrown out if 

 possible at least a year before it is required for use, 

 and left in small heaps or ridges, exposed to the 

 action of the weather, which will assist in pulveriz- 

 ing it, while, from having its water removed, its 

 decomposition goes on more rapidly. 



After the muck has remained in this condition a 

 sufficient length of time, it may be removed to the 

 barn-yard and composted with a mixture of lime and 

 salt (described on. page 99 in the proportion of one 

 cord of muck to four bushels of the mixture, or with 

 slaked lime, or wood-ashes. At the end of a month 

 or more, the muck in the compost will have been re- 

 duced to a fine pulverulent mass, the decomposition 

 being hastened and made more complete by repeated 

 turnings nearly as valuable as charcoal dust for 

 application to animal excrement. When in this 

 condition it is called prepared muck, by which name 

 it will be designated in the following pages. 



