1 82 THE FIRST BOOK OF FARMING 



ings, fish, slaughter-house refuse, etc., mixed in 

 piles with lime, barn manure, woods-earth, swamp 

 muck, peat and soil. 



The object of composting these materials is to 

 hasten their decay and render available the plant 

 food in them. 



There are certain disadvantages in composting, 

 namely : 



Expense of handling and carting on account of 

 bulk. 



Low composition. 



Loss of organic matter by fermentation. 



Compost heaps serve as homes for weed seeds, in- 

 sects and plant diseases. 



Nevertheless, all waste organic matter on the 

 farm should be saved and made use of as manure. 

 These materials when not too coarse may be spread 

 on the surface of the soil and plowed under; they 

 should never be burned unless too coarse and woody 

 or foul with weed seeds, insects and disease. 



