58 



GARDENING FOE THE SOUTH. 



Composts* The composting of manure should take 

 place, as a general thing, as fast as it is made. In the gar- 

 den, out of sight, there should be a compost heap for re- 

 ceiving all kinds of rubbish that can have the least value 

 as fertilizers. Make a shallow excavation of a square or 

 oblong form, with the bottom sloping to one end. Into 

 this collect the litter and sweepings of the yards, decayed 

 vegetables of all kinds, brine, soapsuds, and slops from 

 the house, woollen rags, leaves, green weeds, and garden 

 refuse. After it has accumulated a little, turn it over, ad- 

 ding a little of the salt and lime mixture, and keep the 

 whole inodorous, by covering it with rich mould or black 

 earth from the woods. If the heap is formed entirely of 

 vegetable materials, ashes or lime should be added ; but 

 if it contain animal matter, they would do harm by set- 

 ting free the ammonia. The heap should not be deep, 



