34 THE PRINCIPLES OP AGRICULTURE 



33a. When spelled humus, the word is a noun ; when spelled 

 humous, it is an adjective, as "humous soils." 



34a. Compost is decayed or decaying organic matter which it 

 is intended shall be applied to the land. It is usually obtained 

 by placing leaves, sod, manure or litter in a low flat-topped (so 

 that it will catch the rain) pile, and "turning it," or forking it 





Pig. 5. A compost pile. 



over, every few weeks, to prevent heating and to hasten uniform 

 decomposition (Fig. .5). When the mass has passed into the 

 condition of humus or mold (or become fine and soil-like), it is 

 applied to the land. Composting is a most useful means of 

 utilizing leaves, garden refuse, and other materials which are 

 too coarse or "raw" to be applied directly to the land. 



35a. "The term micro-organism is a general one, which 

 includes any very minute, microscopic form of life. More strictly 

 speaking, the word has come to apply especially to certain forms 

 of plant life which are too minute to be seen individually by the 

 naked eye, and which hence require for their study the higher 

 powers of the microscope." — FreiVk D. Chester, Bull. xL, Del. 



