192 



intervals of several years, while the concentrated fertilisers would need 

 to be applied annually. However this may be, the facts above given 

 should be borne in mind in applying the supplementary fertilisers. 



Whether the farmer can afford to incur the necessary labour and 

 expense involved in tha preparation of composts is a question on 

 which there is considerable difference of opinion. This is a matter 

 which must be determined largely by individual needs and conditions, 

 but undoubtedly the manure heap may be utilised to advantage for 

 such purposes as reducing bones and other waste products of the farm 

 and for " killing " cotton seed before it is applied to the soil. 



In preparing composts the following directions should be observed : 

 Select a level spot under shelter and convenient to the stables. Remove 

 the earth so as to give a gentle slope from the sides toward the centre. 

 It is advisable to tamp the floor of this pit firmly or cover it with pud- 

 dled clay to prevent loss of leachings. It is also well to have a small 

 drain leading from the centre to the side and emptying into a half 

 barrel sunk in the earth. By this means the valuable leachings may be 

 collected and bailed out and sprinkled over the heap, thus assisting 

 materially in promoting a moderate and uniform fermentation of the 

 manure. It is not necessary, however, to provide for this collecting of 

 the leachings if in the construction of the heap the precaution is taken 

 to lay down first a fairly thick layer of the absorbent materials, such 

 as barnyard manure, peat, etc., which it is intended to use. Put down 

 first a layer of these materials, then follow with a layer of acid phos- 

 phate, for instance, and so on until all the materials are used, wetting 

 each layer thoroughly first with water or urine if it is at hand, and 

 finally with kainit, or other chemicals used dissolved in water. It is 

 well to have at hand a mixture of peaty earth and plaster with which 

 the finished heap is covered to a depth of about 1 inch. The heap 

 should be examined from time to time and moistened with manure 

 leachings, urine, or water if there appears to be any danger of over- 

 heating. In from four to six weeks the compost is ready to be forked 

 over, thoroughly mixed, and carried to the field. 



The following formulas for composts in which barnyard manure is 

 one constituent have been recommended and in may cases have been 

 tried with favourable results. 



Formulas for cotton. 





No. 1.* 



No. 2. 



No. 3. 



No. 4. 



No. 5.f 



No. 6. 





Pounds. 



Pounds. 



Pouuds. 



Pounds. 



Pounds. 



Pounds. 



Stable manure 



750 



750 



403 



300 



300 



1,000 



Cotton seed 



750 



750 



600 



600 



600 



1,000 



Acid phosphate 



333| 



500 



800 



760 





1,000 



Floats 











750 







I6G3 





2U0 



350 



350 





jUte per acre 



1,000 



1,600 



1 



1,600 



J ,600 



1,600 





* Fuinuurs formula. 



t Found especially effective in experiments an cotton. 



