with one another. The object 
of ‘ncluding soil is to introduce 
bacteria into the heap ; top- 
soll, which contains most 
bacteria, should therefore be 
used. Ripe compost is an ex- 
cellent substitute for soil and 
should therefore be used 
wherever possible. 
Height of Heap 
The heaps should be built to 
about six feet in height except 
when made of. straw only, 
when the height may be eight 
feet. The level of the compost 
will sink to two-thirds or half 
its original height according to 
the materials used in the heap. 
Where dry, springy materials 
ALG USCC s eESUCIMeaSumcLIa We 
brackenjuevetC. sercaChumml ayer 
should be well trodden down 
to ensure that it is everywhere 
in close contact with the layer 
below and that there are no 
air-pockets. Wet materials 
such as fruit wastes, heavy 
manure, sewage sludge, etc., 
should be added as lightly as 
possible as otherwise air will be 
excluded. 
Top Covering 
The final covering of the 
heap can either be an inch or 
two of soil or a rough thatch 
of straw sloped to carry off 
rainwater. The heap must on 
no account be allowed to be- 
come sodden: ay) In hotaedry 
climates however it may be 
dificult to keep the heaps 
moist enough. Under these 
circumstances it is a good plan 
to make the top of the heap 
concave instead of convex so 
as to catch any rain that falls 
and so make it easter to irrigate 
the heap when recessary. 
Care of the Heap 
In large heaps vertical air 
holes are very necessary. 
These should be spaced at 
three feet intervals down the 
CENUGmeOTmeC ACME leap mmOlena 
double row if the width ex- 
ceeds six feet. If the heap 
seems to be drying out, the 
outside should be wetted with 
water or preferably manure or 
compost water. Try to wet 
evenly and avoid saturation. 
There may be a certain 
amount of leaching from the 
bottom of the heap if no re- 
taining wall is used. In such 
a case it is well to spread a 
thin layer of sawdust, peat or 
other absorbent organic matter 
round the base of the heap. 
This material can be _ incor- 
POlateCumeiiien [hemenex taaileap 
which is made and will add to 
the value of the finished com- 
post. 
Treating the Heap with Q.R. 
The heap is treated as it 1s 
being made by sprinkling each 
layer with Q.R. solution. To 
make this, mix O.R. powder 
with rain-water, one teaspoon- 
ful to the pint. Small quanti- 
ties are best made by shaking 
up in a bottle; larger quantities 
by stirring up thoroughly in a 
bucket. Allow the mixture to 
stand for about four hours 
before using it. It will keep 
