The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-09-08
YUEs.fE ECO.SO.N y.
From tic Farmers Cabinet.
COMPOST MAKING.


Mr.. EnIToR-A, length it would appear
tina, the making Of compost is beginning to
command attention; see several expert.
ments going forward around me. bat what
is more 10 the purpose ! have one IN pro-
eress which | attend aud watch with very
great lnierest---i, is, the mixlng bans earth
with lime, hot from the kiln, the earth be
Ing the opening Of deep cut through
marshy hollow, where 1t had lain for the past
age and become covered with grass and
weeds aud tufts of heritage, &c., all which
| turned down with the pIow, alter cover
ing them with Goa, of lime aud upon this
have again thrown earth ard lime IN alter.
nate layers as directed al page 3l6 OF the
last number Of the Cabinet, expecting 10
reap a rich harvest IN return Tor my labor.
Aud now begin to perceive how the max
ing Of compost operates; 1t 10, by the alb
sorpiion of the gases, liberated by ermen!
alton, which always takes place on bringing
two substances into contact, be they never
so dissimiar in their nature and properties,
particularly when they are composed OF pa'
trid matter whether animal or vegetable,
being acidulous, IS Immediately neutraIIzed
by the alkali Of llne, and the gases friendly
to vegetation, liberated by the process, are
immediotIy absorbed by the earth 10 com.
position, in which state il is carried abroad
and Cows, which carry the carbonic acid to
the roots Of the plants by its power of den
si,y. And perceive that the bank Of earth
in question sends forth smell as has else.
where been observed, somewha, like soap.
1 boilers ashes.
The absorbing quality Of fresh turned
earth calls TO notice very wise ordination
Of nature for we're i, not for this arrange.
ment, the ubodes in the vicinity Of cemete
ries would not be hab,able to human beings
the exhala,lons arising from the decompo
sing bodies by which they are so ,hickly
tenanled, would so con!amina,e the air as to
breed pes,llence a very slight covering
Of earth, however, is found all.suniceni for
the purpose Of absorbing all the malaria
tina, is ensendered, and teaches US at the
same time the mode IN which these pu,rid
gases may be preserved to give lifo to iu
ture notwithstanding TO the Gem
from LeIbg--see pnge 1886 of the Ssh vol
of the Cabinet. In confirmation of thi.
view Of the subject, it is stated, lha, gar
meni which has been contaminated by tbs
filth Of skunk, may be rendered perfectly
inodorous III short time, merely by bury
ing 1t in fresh earth, so that the parts deGl
ed come in immediate contact with il.
Here then is the rationale of the wholt
matter--the Garth in our compos, heaps alb
serbs the gases that arise on fermentation
fixing those lha, are friendly 10 vegetation
and permitting those Of contrary nature ,t
pass of into the atmosphere. there to ioru
other combinations, by which they are pro
pared for other purposes After this, may il
not be expected that VIC shall carry our dung
from the barn yard during winter, and de-
poste II IN the fields where il will be requi
red the mex, spring or autumn, turning /; up
and mixing II with muck or bank earth, in
the proportion Of one OF the former 10 three
or four of the latter, and thus add TO our re.
sources without the purchase in town Of 4
commodity that we can better supply al
home; remembering, the oflener 1t is turn
ed, the more II IS enriched by a,mospherica
aud other influences, and rendered at last a
bank of gold? guess it might.
4 May "a, 1872. r.