MAKING AND USING MANURES. 129 



matter of all sorts. A load or two of it packed around the 

 carcass of a dead beast prevents all smell, and affords 

 a compost equal to the richest for many purposes. It is also 

 the best agent for absorbing night-soil and making it avail- 

 able for use, and many other purposes that will reaclly 

 suggest themselves. The compost heap should be under 

 cover, if at all practicable, and to prepare for it 

 as much loamy earth dried stuff from swamps does 

 splendidly, being rich in vegetable matter should be 

 carted up in readiness. As a foundation for the compost, 

 put down a thick layer of earth (a) ; and on top of that (b) 

 any weeds, grass, &c., that can be got together, in order to 

 rot them down, and destroy seeds of weeds, &c. Then, 

 any night-soil or refuse stuff can be added, as at (c). 

 Then more earth (d), and so on, adding layer upon layer, 

 cow-pen, stable, or other stuff, and making a heap as large 

 as may be required. If ammonia, in the form of sulphate 

 of ammonia, now made by the gas companies, is required, 

 or potash, or bone manure, or any other rich fertilizing 

 material, it can be mixed up in the compost heap, care 

 being taken all through the process to keep a covering of 

 earth (h h h) all round, to prevent loss. Such a heap as 

 this does not heat ; the earth prevents that, and it can be 

 hauled out as required for the immediate use of the crops. 

 What Crops Take Out of the Soil. As has been seen 

 in the chapters dealing with soils, what makes soils rich 

 and what causes poverty, the main ingredients taken away 

 by crops are ammonia, potash, phosphates, lime, sulphates, 

 &c. With the exception of the three first named, ammonia, 

 potash, and phosphates, the other substances that build up 

 plant and animal life are sufficiently plentiful in Australian 

 soils, and it is mainly to supply the scarce substances that 

 manuring or feeding of crops has to be attended to by 

 agriculturists in all branches. The accompanying tables 

 show that field and garden crops require the same 

 substances, but in very different proportions, some requiring 

 more ammonia, some more potash, others more phosphates, 

 lime, sulphur, and so on. But all require some, and the 

 skill of the agriculturist tells upon his crops when he 

 supplies their requirements in the right proportions and at 

 the right time. 



