376 The Land and Its Treatment 



market-gardeners to have what they call " short " or well- 

 rotted manure, and also the common practice of com- 

 posting manures and refuse. 



Composting consists in piling the various materials to- 

 gether in long, low, flat-topped piles, which may catch 

 and retain the rainfall, and then forking over two or more 

 times in the season. If the materials are well disinte- 

 grated and mixed, they are in fit condition to be put on 

 the land. Tomato vines, potato vines and even corn stalks, 

 which are too raw and coarse to apply directly, may be 

 made into useful and valuable miaterial when they have 

 been composted for several months or a year; although if 

 serious diseases infest the refuse, the material would bet- 

 ter be burned. The addition of quick-lime hastens the de- 

 composition of raw materials. The florist, who must have 

 his soils in perfect condition, is familiar with methods of 

 composting, for he usually provides his soils a year in ad- 

 vance, rotting his sod for this purpose. 



Rotation. 



One great value of the rotation of crops is that it adds 

 fiber and humus. It is probable that there is a tendency 

 to use stable manure in excess in garden lands; that is, 

 the same results in the incorporation of humus can be had 

 in many cases more cheaply by the growing of catch-crops. 

 Particularly is this true of those areas some distance from 

 the market and in which it is not necessary to practice 

 rapid succession of market crops. With the passing of 

 the great city stables, in recent days, substitutes must be 

 found for the barn manures in the market-garden. 



Land that receives' identical treatment year by year 



