The Goldsboro star. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1881-18??, 1881-09-17
Manuriai Value OF Leaves.

1T was in one of the Middle States, y
says writer in the Ner England Home
stead, "where this experiment Of mine
with leaves was tried and the soil was q
light. sandy loan. There was not fer.
tility enough in it in its natural condi-
ton to produce over twelve bushels OF
shelled corn TO the acre. Having pre-
viously applied commercial fertilizers
OF various names and brands on the
same description of land with result
ing balance on the debtor side OF the
ledger, and not being able TO obtain
stable manure except at an exorbitant
price, set about the collection OF leaves
Tor the compost heap. A neighbor very
kindly gave me permission TO remove
all the leaves from his woodland that /
might desire, and in the hollows and
along the fences ] found them in large
quantities in fresh as well as s. par
TALLY decayed condition. | collected
100 one-horse loads in the course Of the
fall and winter. Afterward could not
help thinking that my neighbours wis
dom was in inverse proportion to his
generosity. The leaves, except enough
to furnish bedding for a horse, a COW
and a pig, were deposited in BASIN
shaped barnyard. The contents Of the
stables were daily added to the pile, and
load OF leaves was added from time to
time, the precaution being taken TO
keep he mass well moistened. BY
March my compost heap had attained TO
gigantic dimensions. II was then care
fully worked over with manure fork
and covered with two or three inches Of
earth. During the process OF fermenta-
ton, which soon ensued. water was oc-
casionally added TO check the tendency
OF excessive heat and hasten the decom-
position and oxidation Of the leaves. A
marker somewlptin tHaehape of q sled,
with runners foiY feet bart, was run
both ways across the fiad, and at the
intersection OF the line{ eome OF this
compost, which when ouened was found
TO be tolerably we'll ROTH I'd and Of dark
color, was dropped. N9w for the result.
The corn was planteS/the first OF May.
The plant from its FIRST appearance was
noted for its dark, rich color, color
that is retainti nearly TO the period Of
maturity. The growth was rank and
the foliage luxuriant. There were
about twelve acres in tho field. II was
cultivated twice and hoed once. Care
was taken to keep the ground as level as
possible. The product was a little over
twelve hundred bushels Of sound and
merchantable corn in the ear, besides
some inferior ears which ] fed 10 my
pigs. II must be remembered that all
the animal manure in the compost heap
was derived from horse, q COW and q
pig. Consequently most of tho plant
food which fed aud nourishcd those
100 bushels Of ears Of .-1rn was fur
!, nished by the by MS lAbetans leaves.
!, 10 o BE sure lit ciates suGGSi labor
Of ali agrieSor want ser E,, onV Now Now
when l read germ ola Jispangemont
Of forest leayd5-A., "a aid to the fertility
of the soil / recall the little experiment
OF mine more than twenty years ago and
smile with incredulity. And think l
am justified in doing so by the results
Of that experiment. Since that time /
have, Is opportunity offered, made use
OF leaves to enlarge my compost heap.
first using them for bedding for my
animals, and for that purpose consider
them OF great value.