The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-05-12
The Farmer.
Extracts from Edward S. MattOcks'

d.
M III. privy vault is another important source Of ma
,n. The best way, perhaps, of preparing the con-
al, Orhe vault to preserve IFS value and at the
cae ,ine destroy its odor, is, TO throw in Sulphate
M Hime-PIaser of Paris-in proportion Of Z lbs 10
~ ,wcfhe night soil. double decomposition en-
ms; instead o. Suph, Lime and Carb. Ammonia, we
s,e Carb Lime and Sulph. Ammonia, a soluble salt
,hI cannot be voatiIized. II may now, be best used
BY mixing in the compost heap. Or, instead of the
5,cu, we may throw into the vault powdered char
,olwhich will absorb 90 times its bulk of ammonia,
o cut straw, leaves, or litter orany kind, or ashes,
s,tk Or common loan. The whole to be afterwards
removed to the compost heap. Some farmers have
box upon truck wheels placed open in the vault and
y4n uI lasen oxen TO it and draw il to empty into
N N.snpost heap. Having spoken of the natural and
MI important Of manures of the great waste
.nafer and Of the best methods as l suppose TO
prevent this loss and 20 saue the whole, thereby great
ymgnenting the quantity I'VE proceed to treat of the
+. compost heap
VI With the compost heap we enabled to increase
The quantity of manures 10 almost any extent. 1t is
a indispensable 10 the we'll condition and best manage
\ mcnt the FARM and no u2cious or economical far
n mTwi attempt to manage his farm without its aid,
unless he is one Of those who act upon the old princi-
PIE Of being 'PenUy wise and pound foolish"
The simplest of all composts is mixture Of barn
md yard manure, with litter, muck earth in any
cncclveabe proportions at the pleasure or conven-
ance ofhe operator. The suggestions and directions
for the management of manures Just given are chiefly
bot The use OF the simple form Of composts. The
N'pohons OF the ingredients used in tho simple form
dunPosls are fixed by no determinate laws, and
consequently, great liberty is allowable to the oper-
'r Two loads of barn yard manure may be mix
dvth one Of earth. or muck or equalIy-a toad of
y ua-Or of manure to Of earth with equal sue
n Ten glance at the principle will show us the
am OEthis seemingly endless variety in the combi-
cations Of the ingredients. The only use of mixing
the eaM with the manure is 10 imbibe the gaseous ele
m,nts of vegetable LIE and hinder their dissipation
fhere be bat little earth used, the gases will he
concentrated into small portion OF earth which will
be abundany saturated if large portion is used the
elements will be diffused throughout il with less den
SHY, or, in ether words, scattered through larger
body. On the same principle that spoonful Of salt
crmgar may dissolve equally in pint or gallon
OIWater. The only error into which the farmer can
ron, Is to supply such inconsiderable quantity as
will be incapable Of mbibng the elastic and volatile
g'''es and thus by his own Encouragement occasion
waste O. the vegetable aliment. The least proper
ton which he should ever attempt 10 combine is one
Oad Of earth or muck to two of manure s. If the two
were mixed equally he would be we'll paid for the ad
d0onal labor and expense.
The whole art of composing, is TO arrange the
mater as in alternate ayers-to shake the litter and
manure with fork that it may lie loosely-to cover
@''Op and sides with earth-and to give it a sloping
erection that it may cast offexcessive moisture. Its
n'Sn' should never exceed feet Al; and its
U'ad'h should be such, that man on either side Of
"nay be able to fling the ingredients into the centre
""OOu' rampling on the henp;for compressons in all
'cs re'a'd The fermentation s. putIefactve process.
Tue mass after being compounded,is long in gem
eOnS heat urine, s,soap suds and slops from the
"'Oe0' or even fresh water poured OH to the top
''"y 'na' II may ooze downwards, will bring il
"a' rapidly. On the other hand should the process
''''0ce with too great violence, which can always
"N0O"n BY keeping a stick in the middle. and draw
~ ." occasionally for trial, the fermentation must
'''e''raned by turning the heap and mixing "a
w" "e ingredients. This will not only put stop
""'e mischief, but facilitate second fermentation;
'"' as fresh particles Of earth will be brought into
SD'' with the decomposing matter. the whole will
'cPe," r."
'aese general principles are applicable 10 every
" O" 0 compost, and need not again be repeated
" "'e dIierent articles that may be converted into
s'O "anures by the aid of a compost, muck on ac-
[ VI us quantity, qualities, and ease of conversion,
"S Muck is the accumulation of plants,
. ROOTS and surface soil, washed from the sur
"4"s nl'sIdes into some hollow. There is very
H., ''e'ence in the quality of different species =
NJ "'"ess Of color is not criterion of goodness -
MAJ. 'Pec'mens which contain the most vegetable
A. are The best. Good muck will emit strong
H., ""e" dug up, and should when rotted, give to
drr' 'uoolnst, not gritty, but an unctous or
.,rt s' bnt any muck is better than common
FINN ""en The bed is rather dry and tolerably free
G .OO's' so as to crumbe easily It may be dug up
Ann W "ea and used Immediately. lit is quite wet
tni,. "',u De thrown Unto heaps and allowed to
ur,' '"u " 'u of roots, and is tough, it ought to
~h- a IN heaps throughourthe winter to be acted up
n. w. '1OS' and to become partially rotten before
p, Nv" IN proper state TO nae, itshouid be thrown