PREPARING SOIL AND PROPAGATING 27 



In collecting the soil, that taken from 

 the surface of a pasture field, by removing 

 about three or four inches, is most de- 

 sirable. This should be placed in a layer 

 about six inches thick, in some convenient 

 place, and the layer of such extent as to 

 make about one fourth of the entire quantity 

 required. Upon this place a layer of good 

 manure, preferably cow manure, although 

 horse, hog, and sheep manure are all good, 

 if well decomposed. Sheep manure is 

 generally the richest of all. Fresh cow 

 manure may be used, but old is preferable. 

 The layer of manure should be about two 

 inches thick, equal to one fourth of the entire 

 bulk. Add another layer of soil and manure 

 and continue until the heap is from two to 

 three feet thick. If prepared in the fall, 

 it should remain undisturbed until the frost 

 is out of it in the spring, when it should be 

 turned, beginning at one end or side, chop- 

 ping the heap down with a spade or other 

 implement, mixing the soil and manure well 

 together, and making the heap somewhat 

 broader than before. Allow it to remain 

 in this condition for two or three weeks. 

 Then spread over the top and sides a coat- 



