136 



On making Compost Heaps. 



it accelerates their decomposition. It is perhaps proper here to 

 state that the peat is dug and exposed to the alternations of the 

 weather for several months before it is brought to the heap for 

 admixture ; by this it loses much of its moisture. In some cases, 

 peat contains acid or astringent matters^ which are injurious to 

 useful vegetation. On this I have not tried any decided ex- 

 periment, but am led to the supposition by frequently seeing- 

 stones, some in a partial state of decomposition, others wholly 

 decomposed in bogs, and at the depth of several feet from the 

 surface. Some years' experience has convinced me of the im- 

 propriety of using recently dug peat ; proceeding in the manner I 

 recommend, it is superior and more convenient on every account 

 — very much lighter to cart to the farm -yard or any other situation 

 where it is wanted ; and so convinced am I of its utility in composts 

 for every description of soil, except that of its own character, that 

 wherever it can be laid down on a farm at less than 4s. per ton, I 

 should recommend every agriculturist and horticulturist that can 

 command it, even at the cost here stated, to give it a fair trial. So 

 retentive and attractive of moisture is peat, that if liberally applied 

 to an arid, sandy soil, that soil does not burn in a dry season, and 

 it so much improves the texture and increases the produce of an 

 obdurate clay soil, if in other respects rightly cultivated, that 

 actual experience alone can fairly determine its value. 



For the conveyance of night-soil and urine, we have the largest 

 and strongest casks, such as oils are imported in; the top of 

 which is provided Avith a funnel to put the matters through, and 

 the casks are fixed on wheels like those of a common dung- cart. 

 For the convenience of emptying this carriage, the compost heaps 

 are always lower at one end ; the highest is where we discharge the 

 contents, in order that they may in some degree spread themselves 

 over the whole accumulation : the situation on which the wheels 

 of these carriages stand while being discharged is raised con- 

 siderably ; this we find convenient, as the compost heap may be 

 sloped six or seven feet high — low compost heaps, in my opinion, 

 should be avoided. The plan here recommended I have carried 

 on for some time. I find no diflficulty in manuring my farm over 

 once in two years ; by this repetition I keep up the fertility of 

 my land, and it never requires more than a moderate application 

 of manure. 



1 am fully aware that there are many localities where neither 

 peat nor night-soil can be readily obtained ; but it is worth a 

 farmer's while to go even more than twenty miles for the latter 

 substance, provided he can have it without deterioration; the 

 original cost is often trifling. On a farm where turnips or mangold 

 are cultivated to some extent, the system here recommended will 

 be almost incalculably advantageous; a single horse is sufficient 



