Feetilizees. 215 



quire it. Whatever manure is used, it should be ap- 

 plied in layers as the pile is formed, and when turned, 

 the pile should be cut through in narrow strips from 

 top to bottom and well mixed. Piles put up late in 

 the fall will require early and close attention in order 

 to have them in readiness for the first planting. If 

 more time elapses, turning need not be as frequent. 

 In case sufficient fibre is not present in the soil when 

 gathered, layers of straw through the pile and incor- 

 porated with it will be of benefit, though it will not 

 take the place of good grass sod. 



FEETILIZEES. 



For mixing with the soil, nothing equals grain fed 

 cow manure. Avoid distillery products as you would 

 poison, for slops from these stalls are as fatal to plant 

 life as is the so-called refined product to man. The 

 writer has proved both and knows whereof he speaks. 

 Keep at least two years stock of manure "on hand — three 

 if you can. This should always be kept under cover, 

 as exposure to storms greatly lessens its value. To 

 prevent the May beetle from depositing her eggs, from 

 which the white grub is hatched, turn the compost 

 piles in April, smooth down the surface and cover 

 two inches deep with plain soil, or that in which 

 there is no manure, and she will seek a more con- 

 genial atmosphere elsewhere. Of commercial fertil- 

 izers, none are so valuable for all crops as pure flour 



