Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-02-01

The object of composing manure is to
save all its fertilizing properties in
condition for the immediate use of
plants when it is applied to the soil.
Decomposition must take place with all
solid manuies before they are available
for the use Of the plant. We therefore
save the fertilizing material and the
time required to decompose raw manure
when applied to the soil in the fresh
state by composing it properly before
applying it.
The compost heap should be under
shelter. Neither the rays Of the sun
nor rains should reach it. True, COM
post heaps are made without such shell
ter, but always at loss Of fertilizing
properties.l If the floor upon which the
compost is to be prepared is water-tight,
all the better. A good stiff clay bot
tom. scooped out in the centre so as to
hold the liquids, will answer; or the
floor may be (often is) so constructed
that the liquids which drain from the
heap flow from it at one point into
cistern or tank. and are thence drawn
and used direct upon plants. 1t is I'M
portant the liquid portion ofthe manure
should be carefully saved and used. 1t
is most valuable.
The best foundation tor compost
| heap is bed of muck, one foot to eigh-
teen inches thick. This is an absor-
bent, holds the liquids. or he ammonia
they contain as they filter down through
it. If muck is not available, leaf mold,
dry leaves, rotten wood, chip manure
from the back yard. straw, or even
clayey loan soil should be used. On
this bottom layer Of muck. leaves. etc.,
put layer of muck and again manure,
until the manure is all incorporated
with the muck. Be sure to have lay
er ofmuck on top Of the manure al
ways.
On this compost heap should be
poured all the liquid manure that can
be obtained, including the DRAWINGS
from the stables, chamber ley from the
houses. soapsuds, greasy water from the
kitchen. It will be well, if there IS not
liquid enough to thoroughly wet this
heap once or twice week, to give it a
good wetting down with rain water.
But in either case, care should be taken
to save the liquid that filters through
| the mass. The heat resulting from
fermentation is reduced by this wetting
process and does not essentially retard
decomposition, for it furnishes a fresh
supply Of oxygen to the mass and it is
a substitute for forking oyer the mass
thoroughly onee to five times, which is
important where liquids are not thus
supplied, and which many farmers do,
even when they 10 supply liquids. If
the liquids have not been supplied in
the way indicated, then after the conn
post has lain two Or three weeks, the
farmer should begin at one side Of the
heap and carefully pitch it over with a
manure fork, making another heap and
working the mass together thoroughly.
Two or three such forkings over are
generally sufficient; and when the
whole mas has become homogeneous in
character and thoroughly decomposed,
it is ready to apply to any crop at any
time and IN any manner desired.
It is an excellent plan to mix lime
and salt with the muck as it is hauled
ont Of the swamp and piled up, before
adding the stable manure to it. Ii
decomposes and sweetens the muck and
does not affect its absorbing qualities.
But lime should not be added to the
stable manure unless it is completely
covered with muck. It hastens de-
composition, and liberates the ammonia;
and unless there is absorbing material
enough covering it, ii almost DESTROYS
the value of manure. As rule It is
better to apply lime direct to the soil
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