2 DECEMBER 1949, Page 14

In the Garden

We are advised to make more and more compost on scientific prin- ciples, putting careful layers of soil or lime, adding such "starters" as sulphate of ammonia or Adco or one of the mystic powders composed of weeds and honey and what not. Well, doubtless we ought to he scientific ; and I make the following confession with shame. A deepish. rectangular pit was filled up as occasion offered with any sort of veget- able rubbish, especially useless hay. The mess was not forked over cr given ventilation or treated with anything. The only earth put on it Was a little patch into which a few marrow seeds were thrust. The Marrows did well. When the frozen remnants were removed it was found that the hole contained several cubic yards of as perfect a compost as the gardener could desire. Doubtless you can hurry up the process by being scientific and no pit need be dug ; but where labour is very short there are rougher methods which produce quite satisfactory results.

W. BEACH THOMAS.