32 FRUIT CULTURE. 



manure to a heap iu the open field, adding 

 just enough loam, muck, or other vegetable 

 matter to allow a gentle fermentation, at the 

 same time giving a slight covering of loam so 

 as to exclude an excess of air and to prevent 

 an escape of gases. Water may be applied if 

 the heap becoixies too dry. The heap may be 

 turned in about two months, mixing and 

 breaking it up thoroughly. In from four to 

 six months, according to the season of the 

 year, the heap will be ripe, and in the best 

 possible condition to apply. It will be re- 

 duced more than half in bulk, but there will 

 be a decided gain in soluble material suitable 

 for plant food. Liquid fertilizers, obtained 

 from the leaching of stable manure, the re- 

 duction of cow-dung with water, or from 

 soap-suds and similar liquids, may be applied 

 as waterings to tlie roots in considerable 

 quantities, when the plants are in active 

 growth, and with surprising results. But 

 when in a dormant state, such applications 

 might cause a serious injury. 



Stable manure contains all tlie elements of 

 plant-food, always and in all soils giving good 

 results, and hence is called a perfect fertilizer. 

 It does not follow that it is always a judicious 



