The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-31
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
The Compost Heaps ut Michigan Asricul-
turaI College.

The Compost Heaps mt Michigan A sricui
turaI College.
The position of the main compost heap has
been removed 10 the south of the barn and
privy and near both these buildings. A sew
er from the boarding hall runs near. 1t is the
intention 10 tap this and run the slops into
side sink and pump it upon the heap in
dry time. The heaps are constructed on the
same plan as last year, which suited so well.
We believe a plenty of manure is good
thing for the farmer and gardener to have;
that most of them cannot succeed without it;
that nearly all can very easily increase the
quantity and value two-foid or more. We
prefer TO use on the garden, manure that is
well rotted and decomposed. The place for
the compost heap is made nearly fiat, but
little higher around the edges. On the bot
tom is placed a layer of muck six inches or
foot in thickness.
In all the management Of manure we have
constantly in mind the high price of labor, of
men and teams, and the cheapness of various
kinds OF farm and garden produce. The
muck is drawn but short distance, forty
rods, perhaps. To economic team work we
use two wagons to one team, having one
loaded while the other is on the road. Carts
with wide tires are better. They are used ON
the farm proper. The muck is taken from
the flats to the yard or place for heap, and
leveled little after it leaves the dump boards.
Thisi first layer usually remains one to sever
al weeks in the early part of Summer until it
becomes pretty well dried out. The kind we
use at present and like very much, is taken
from the flats of brook where it is covered
with very tough sod of sedges and grasses.
The sods we cut out with very sharp spades,
and use, of course, with the rest of the
muck. The muck is black and loamy,
such as would produce a bountiful crop of
grass every season after good drainage. On
the bottom layer OF muck, after drying out,
we place layer of manure of equal thickness
with the muck; then another layer of muck,
anb usually wait while for it to dry out, if it
had not been dried out at the muck bed. The
latter we should always prefer if we had far
to haul the muck.
The manure which we get is furnished by
our horse barn, where are kept four or five
horses, by the privies, well supplied with dry
earth, by purchase or gift of parties in Lam
sing three miles away or elsewhere. We pay
twenty-five cents load for manure. Welike
to draw it in Summer, because then the roads
are best. The manure is dry and light, so we
can draw twice as much in value as during
Spring and Autumn when we have to draw
much water, which is to be had at home
without price. Manure is more easily OBJ
tanned in the Summer season. We cannot
always get it in Winter. Besides, we can
then mix it with muck, and manure COM
posted in August or earlier is in good condi-
ton tor use by next Spring, while if we draw
1t In Winter or later IL is Cftttca not in good
condition till Summer. We draw all lie
manure we can find time to, preferring for
our sandy soil to use half muck and half ma
nure, instead of clear horse-manure. The
muck alternating with the manure prevents
1T from burning out and wasting. Again,
the use OF muck saves much hand labor of
turning the manure to prevent over heating.
So highly do value something of this pur-
pose, and as an absorbant, would use good
soil il cotld not get muck, and poor soil if 1
could not get good soil.
BY the middle of September we want the
heap six or eight feet high, keeping the top
fiat or triie dishing. Perhaps it is not as
good for the heap, but to save labor we drive
upon it with teams to unload. We add tops
OF potatoes, tomatoes, squashes, and similar
refuse, except weeds, which may contain
seeds of weeds.
The better the feed given to animals the
better the manure. We do not judge of its
value by its looks. That made from animals
fed on straw and marsh hay (sedges) may be
some better rotted, and look well, but it is
much less desirable than that which comes
from livery stable where the horses have
plenty of grain. In Fall or Winter or Spring
when we have plenty help to the best advan-
tage, the whole pile is turned once or more.
In Spring we shall probably have 400 loads of
fine manure for the horticultural department,
manure suitable for any crop, flowerbed, or
lawn. We like to have large pile of muck
dried and under shelter to use about the dung
heap in Winter. Our plan of managing
compost heap is about the same as employed
in the agricultural department. Indeed, it is
much like the one used by our professor of
agriculture for many years before comm to
the college. w. j. BEAL,
Prof. Botany and horticulture.
w R1rnL