ON FARM GARDENING. 15 
myriads of small organisms, whose duty is to destroy organic 
matter and convert it into soil, or into humus, or into plant 
food. 
This explains the superiority of good, moist soil as com- 
pared to coal ashes for making compost heaps. Coal ashes 
are worth sifting, if the work can be done automatically; 
that is, by simply pouring the aslies upon a sloping wire 
screen. The coarse portion of the ashes, if not worth re- 
burning, will at least make good walks, drives or road beds, 
while the fine portions make excellent absorbents to put 
under hen roosts. 
Hen manure and the product of the outhouse, whether 
containing sifted ashes or not, should 
go speedily into a heap of moist earth, 
for this earth will furnish the organ- 
isms to quickly convert the excreta 
into valuable soil. Sifted coal ashes 
usually contain some fertility on ac- 
count of wood, garbage, etc., burned 
in the kitchen stove, but have value Some of the many 
. , i , Tv/r • . 1 Forms of Bacteria. 
mainly as absorbents. Moist loam, on (Magnified). 
the other hand, teems with life, and 
has the wonderful ability not merely to hide organic matter, 
but to actually change its character, converting it into soil 
that retains none of its original characteristics. What was 
malodorous manure, offensive to smell and touch, is changed 
into an odorless, dark-colored material that leaves no stain 
upon the hands, and which is plant food of the best and 
most available character. 
Economy in Manuring —True economy in manuring 
demands a comprehension of these simple matters. The 
methods are inexpensive, and are within the reach of every 
tiller of the soil. 
The whole matter may be summed up in a few words, as 
