Evening star., 1948-11-25
This and That
By Charles Z. TrdceUell
BELMONT ROAD.


Dear Sir:
II wish to know the proper sequence of
filing q trench with this years garden refuse.
II have q fine stack Of leaves, stalks and
vines which I have saved throughout the
season. They have not as yet disintegrated,
but wish to bury them In trenches which
I am preparing to dig in the flower and
tomato beds.
ALSO have o good quantity Of lime, both
hydrated and just ground limestone, dehy-
drafted commercial manure, bone meal, Vigoro,
etc. VI
the bottom of the trenches, 80 as to get the
best results between now and the spring
planting season.
THAT is my problem 81
To-day visited the Department of Agri-
culture in the hope of solving It, but while
the subject, the Librarians who tried to assist
me could not seem to locate the documents
containing same.
with hndest regards for your most inter-
esting articles on the feathered creatures and
furry folk plus many thanks for your assist
ance in my case. Yours truly. w. c. K"
The compost heap rather than trench, is
perhaps best.
All sorts of materials are used Dead foliage
of all kinds, leaves, grass discarded vegetables,
cornstalks, cabbage stems. ETC.; SOIL manure,
lime and complete fertilizers. Even weeds
may be utilized, If the pile is turned often
enough.
Usually, for small place, the dimensions
are. say. by 6 feet.
The area should be dug out to a depth OF
IL inches or so. not over 1s inches.
The soil is thrown to one side, and the
bottom layer prepared.
This should consist of coarse material, such
as cabbage, cornstalks, vines, and so on; over
this nut z to inches of the soil
The first layer, by the way, should be
tamped down hard.
Following the layer of soil, put an inch
or two of manure. If possible. Peat moss may
be substituted.
Ground limestone comes next, about l pint
to each average wheebarrow of material.
Now add layers of leaves, cuttings weeds,
ETC., followed by layers of soil, peat moss.
Each soil layer should be sprinkled with a
complete fertilizer. Make this thick enough,
but not too much. The experts say 1t should
resemble light snowfall.
In other words, not too thick.
The sides of the piles whether long or of
the shape suggested should be kept as even
as possible, but sloped up to the top.
The whole is now soaked with the hose,
and then layer of soil about inches deep
is put on.
The top must be made concave. that is,
saucer shaped, so that all rain may be caught
and held.
Every three months the heap must be
turned inside put" as the experts say,
The entire process must be gone through
with again, at this time If one desires the
best decomposition.
Depending upon the kinds of material used,
four months to a year is necessary for proper
composing.
Lime is good to USE despite the belief of
| some people that it is not. Certain chem
icals, sold for the purpose, seem adequate.
Complete fertilizers, of the 4-12-4 or 5-10-5
composition, are suggested.
Garbage If used must be well covered with
soil, and even then may attract dogs and
rats.
This falls leaves will not be available as
fertilizer next spring. 1t requires full year,
in most cases.
Ashes from burned leaves and grass cuttings
do not make good compost.
Some home gardeners worry about whether
to make the pit or trench level, or keep the
pile mostly above ground.
Experts say either method is all right. but
| that as much under ground as possible is
| best, since 1t is less liable to dry out.
Piles are kept from smelling by the use OF
| lime and earth cover, as suggested.
Leaves of some trees, especially oaks. form
| an acid leafmold, which Is easily corrected
| in the making by the use Of lime.
The purpose of adding inorganic fertilizers
| and lime Is to hasten decomposition and to
add nutrients otherFiss lacking.