SOME FORMS OF ORGANIC MATTER 
STABLE MANURE: Formerly this was the best known form of organic 
matter for soil use hut now it is seldom available. It contains more 
or less fertility depending on its origin. It is valuable as a vegetable 
organic matter but it disappears quickly in the soil. It usually con¬ 
tains many weed seeds which will grow. Stable manure is more valuable 
on the farm where it may be applied over sod while fresh. Used in this 
way its content of soluble plant food leaches out and is used at once 
by the grass over which it was spread. Later both the grass-sod and the 
solid manure should be plowed under where it will decompose and become 
valuable soil humus. When stable manure cannot be used as above it 
should be composted indoors to prevent loss of soliible elements. This 
process necessitates working it over occasionally, and sometimes moisten^ 
ing, to partly decompose the fresh organic matter without burning, to 
kill the weed seeds, and to promote the growth of favorable bacteria. 
Rotted manure on the market has usually been exposed to the weather, 
thereby losing a large part of its value. 
COVER CROPS s This form of organic matter is very valuable under 
field conditions because it is grown where it is needed. If the proper 
kind of plants is used it adds materally to soil fertility. Cover crops 
are not usually valuable to small home owners. 
LEAF MOLD; As usually found, this is a very short-lived form 
of soil organic matter consisting of partly disintegrated leaves mixed 
with woody material, trash and, sand. It is acid in reaction depending 
on the nature of the leaves from which it is formed. Ordinarily the 
plant-food content is negligible and the organic content is very low 
because of the presence of a large amount of foreign matter. It is not 
highly retentive of moisture. 
BLACK PEAT: This is a name applied largely to humus formed from 
reeds,sedges,marsh grasses,etc. Much of it is strongly alkaline and 
has reached a stage of decomposition which renders it detrimental from a 
physical standpoint. Many valuable plants have been destroyed by its 
use. It appeals to some because it is black which has nothing to do 
with its usefulness. 
GERMA N BEAT MOSS: This is the most durable and the most absorbent 
form of soil organic matter. It contains considerable plant food but 
much of this cannot be used by plants until the peat moss decomposes, 
so fertilizer should be used with it unless the soil contains a plenti¬ 
ful supply. German peat moss will retain more moisture than any other 
known kind of soil organic matter, thereby greatly reducing your water 
bill. It has other valuable functions which it will continue to perform 
for many years after being used in the soil. It contains no substance 
detrimental to plant life, no weed seeds,and no detrimental bacteria. 
It is free from fibrous and woody material and sand. By the use of 
German peat moss, a 'physical soil condition may be created practically 
over night which would require years to produce through the use of 
other kinds of soil organic matter, and the results from German peat 
moss are much more permanent. 
