12 VEGETABLE GROWING. 



of the mixing with the coarse stuff. Caution should 

 be exercised to keep the pile moist, but not wet ; if it 

 is so wet that liquid can be pressed out of it by 

 squeezing it in the hand, water must be withheld for 

 several days ; when no more moisture can be pressed 

 out, water may again be applied. Often the process 

 of decaying goes on too rapidly ; in such a case much 

 of the nitrogen may be lost. This is made apparent 

 by the rising of steam or the sending off of ammonia 

 gas, so easily detected by the nostrils. If the over- 

 heating is due to the want of water, it may be cor- 

 rected by supplying the needed moisture, but some- 

 times it is necessary to fork the pile over to correct 

 the temperature. After a little practice, one is able 

 to prepare a heap so it will not have to be disturbed 

 until it is to be applied to the field. 



If one has determined for what crop the compost 

 is to be used, the proper amount of commercial ferti- 

 lizer may be added as the pile is prepared, otherwise 

 this must be added when the compost is to be used. 

 There are two advantages in the use of compost : 

 First, it improves the mechanical condition of the 

 soil ; Second, the soluble chemical fertilizer is taken 

 up by the vegetable matter and held in suspension 

 much as a sponge holds water, thus keeping the rains 

 from leaching it out of the soil, and as it is in a more 

 finely divided state, the growing plants can absorb it 

 with greater facility. In preparing compost, it must 

 be done under shelter to keep the water from washing 

 out the soluble fertilizer. 



