70 — How to Make the Garden Pay. 



summer we always make a compost heap as follows : One load of 

 muck, one load of sand, one load of old cow or horse manure. 

 To this is added a quantity of old sods (from pasture or fence 

 corners), old hot-bed manure, manure from spent mushroom 

 beds, etc. All this material is worked over at least once a month 

 with spade, shovel, spading fork or hoe, until reasonably fine and 

 uniform all through. In late fall it is sifted and put upon the 

 benches of the greenhouse, or if wanted for hot-beds and cold- 

 frames in spring, into the cellar or any place where we can get 

 at it at the proper time. 



If we neglect to make provisions for the needed supply in 

 good season, we may find ourselves in sore straits to find just 

 what is wanted in the winter with the ground frozen solid. It 

 may then be necessary to look for a supply in the cellar, under 

 barns, sheds, other outbuildings, or under the manure heap. 

 Cart from any source at hand, mix and sift, through a coarse 

 sieve first, and through finer ones as the stuff becomes drier and 

 finer. 



While the item of expense alone is decidedly in favor 

 of manure hot-beds, there are, on the other hand, serious 

 inconveniences, and sometimes obstacles connected with it. The 

 right kind of manure is not always to be easily obtained, or not 

 in the required quantities ; the heat is only partially under the 

 control of the gardener, and the whole thing connected with 

 many uncertainties, especially for the less experienced manager. 

 Then there is the annual digging, and composting, and refilling, 

 and with all these inconveniences, your fuel will last only for a 

 few weeks. For this reason I have always looked with some- 

 what of disfavor upon manure as fuel for hot-beds, and have had 

 an open eye for a more steady and controllable heating method. 

 In some respects I consider the fire hot-bed a great improvement 

 on the manure hot-bed. 



