252 M. P. WILDER'S REMARKS. 



One cord of meadow muck, having been exposed 



to the action of air and frost, at least one year, $1 50 

 Twelve bushels of leached ashes, . . 1 20 

 Six bushels crushed bones, . . . . 1 50 

 Labor, 30 



Total cost per cord, $4 50 



The bones and ashes were mixed together, while the latter 

 were in a damp state ; and, when fermentation had taken place, 

 these were incorporated with the meadow muck. In this con- 

 dition, the mass should remain, until heat is generated again, 

 when it will be fit for use. 



He had found this compost equal to any stable manure for 

 root crops, grass land, gardening purposes generally, and for 

 fruit trees. For the last two years, he had mixed his stable 

 manure with the compost, and also had added to it, one-eighth 

 part in bulk, of fine refuse charcoal, from the depots of venders. 

 This can be purchased at five dollars the cord, delivered, and 

 does not much increase the cost above named. 



Since Liebig first promulgated his opinion, as to the wonder- 

 ful influence of charcoal, in rooting cuttings of plants, and as a 

 component part of soils, experiments have been making, veri- 

 fying its importance. He also informs us, that the volatile gas, 

 which arises from our stables and manure heaps, and descends 

 in the rain and snow, and which we call "ammonia," is the 

 great fertilizer of the earth. To secure this subtle element, Mr. 

 Wilder had added charcoal to his compost heap, and, as he 

 thought, with great advantage. It is very durable, if not inde- 

 structible ; a substance of great porosity, and we are told, he said, 

 by chemists, that it will absorb ninety per cent, of its bulk of 

 ammonia ; but its beneficial efiects are supposed to arise from 

 its power of retaining this volatile gas, and yielding it up only, 

 as it is washed out by rains, or as the vital force of the root 

 searches for food. He did not consider it a fertilizer in itself, but 

 that it was a medium of administering nourishment, having used 

 it with good success, for greenhouse plants, for many seasons. 



Mr. Wilder said the compost — with the charcoal and stable 

 manures combined — was the best he had ever used, as a general 

 manure. On fruit trees, its effects were remarkable. 



