Manures for Vegetable-Gardening in Warm Countries 25 



Manure supplies useful bacteria, especially on sandy, 

 worn-out, or occasionally flooded lands, but may distribute 

 weed seeds, and fungi such as Fusarium. 



COMPOST 



It has long been known that decomposing vegetable or 

 animal matter causes plants to grow luxuriantly; but 

 that at the same time, the plants are liable to be unfruitful. 

 This is due to an over-abundance of nitrogenous matter. 

 If, to this decomposing organic matter, enough potash and 

 phosphoric acid are added to make a complete fertilizer, 

 the plants do not become "over-grown." The amount 

 of potash and phosphoric acid to be used is learned by 

 experience. Such a mixture is called a compost. This 

 term is often applied to a decomposing heap of organic 

 matter, and also to such heaps when land plaster (gyp- 

 sum) has been added; but the term is here restricted 

 to decomposed organic matter, to which enough com- 

 mercial fertilizer elements have been added to make a 

 complete fertilizer. 



On any farm, garden, or other place where branches of 

 horticulture or agriculture are carried on, a considerable 

 quantity of coarse and refuse material can be collected 

 without special effort. All ofFal, as vegetable refuse, 

 kitchen slops, wash-water or soap-suds, the dung of domes- 

 tic animals, bits of wood, — in fact, anything of animal 

 or vegetable origin, — may be used in this way. The best 

 way to dispose of any animal that has died on the farm is 

 to use it in the compost heap. When any odor is escaping 

 from the compost heap or bin, one may be sure that 



