Changes

more formatting - needs to be divided into chapter pages
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yours, too."  
 
yours, too."  
   −
Locating the Worms  
+
===Locating the Worms ===
    
The species of worm used for vermicomposting has a number of common
 
The species of worm used for vermicomposting has a number of common
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down to the basement every few days.  
 
down to the basement every few days.  
   −
Containers  
+
===Containers ===
    
Redworms need to breathe oxygen, but in deep containers bedding can
 
Redworms need to breathe oxygen, but in deep containers bedding can
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(8 cubic foot) box is not enough for us.  
 
(8 cubic foot) box is not enough for us.  
   −
Bedding  
+
===Bedding ===
    
Bedding is a high C/N material that holds moisture, provides an
 
Bedding is a high C/N material that holds moisture, provides an
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is added to adjust the pH.  
 
is added to adjust the pH.  
   −
Soil  
+
===Soil ===
    
Redworms are heat-tolerant litter dwellers that find little to eat
 
Redworms are heat-tolerant litter dwellers that find little to eat
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worms.  
 
worms.  
   −
Redworms  
+
===Redworms ===
    
The scientific name of the species used in vermicomposting is
 
The scientific name of the species used in vermicomposting is
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you learn to gauge their intake.  
 
you learn to gauge their intake.  
   −
Setting Up a Worm Box  
+
===Setting Up a Worm Box ===
    
Redworms need a damp but not soggy environment with a moisture
 
Redworms need a damp but not soggy environment with a moisture
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moisture loss yet does not completely stop it.  
 
moisture loss yet does not completely stop it.  
   −
Feeding the Worms  
+
===Feeding the Worms ===
    
Redworms will thrive on any kind of vegetable waste you create while
 
Redworms will thrive on any kind of vegetable waste you create while
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disturbed.  
 
disturbed.  
   −
Seasonal Overloads  
+
===Seasonal Overloads ===
    
On festive occasions, holidays, and during canning season it is easy
 
On festive occasions, holidays, and during canning season it is easy
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undernourished worms."  
 
undernourished worms."  
   −
Vacations  
+
===Vacations ===
    
Going away from home for a few weeks is not a problem. The worms
 
Going away from home for a few weeks is not a problem. The worms
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your worms to a friend to care for.  
 
your worms to a friend to care for.  
   −
Fruit Flies  
+
===Fruit Flies ===
    
Fruit flies can, on occasion, be a very annoying problem if you keep
 
Fruit flies can, on occasion, be a very annoying problem if you keep
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outside the house if possible.  
 
outside the house if possible.  
   −
Maintenance  
+
===Maintenance ===
    
After a new bin has been running for a few weeks, you'll see the
 
After a new bin has been running for a few weeks, you'll see the
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castings.  
 
castings.  
   −
_Hand sorting_ works well after a worm box has first been allowed to
+
'''Hand sorting''' works well after a worm box has first been allowed to
 
run down a bit. The worms are not fed until almost all their food
 
run down a bit. The worms are not fed until almost all their food
 
has been consumed and they are living in nearly pure castings. Then
 
has been consumed and they are living in nearly pure castings. Then
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of redworms to a friend.  
 
of redworms to a friend.  
   −
_Dividing the box_ is another, simpler method. You simply remove
+
'''Dividing the box''' is another, simpler method. You simply remove
 
about two-thirds of the box's contents and spread it on the garden.
 
about two-thirds of the box's contents and spread it on the garden.
 
Then refill the box with fresh bedding and distribute the remaining
 
Then refill the box with fresh bedding and distribute the remaining
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enough to eat all your winter garbage.  
 
enough to eat all your winter garbage.  
   −
Garbage Can Composting  
+
===Garbage Can Composting ===
    
Here's a large-capacity vermicomposting system for vegetableatarians
 
Here's a large-capacity vermicomposting system for vegetableatarians
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kitchens might run two vermicomposting garbage cans at once.  
 
kitchens might run two vermicomposting garbage cans at once.  
   −
PART TWO  
+
=PART TWO =
   −
Composting For The Food Gardener  
+
==Composting For The Food Gardener ==
   −
Introduction  
+
===Introduction ===
    
There is a great deal of confusion in the gardening world about
 
There is a great deal of confusion in the gardening world about
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ideology.  
 
ideology.  
   −
A Brief History of the Organic Movement  
+
===A Brief History of the Organic Movement ===
    
How did all of this irresolvable controversy begin over something
 
How did all of this irresolvable controversy begin over something
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_Organic Gardening._  
 
_Organic Gardening._  
   −
Today's Confusions  
+
===Today's Confusions ===
    
I have offered this brief interpretation of the organic gardening
 
I have offered this brief interpretation of the organic gardening
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+
==CHAPTER SEVEN - Humus and Soil Productivity ==
 
  −
 
  −
 
  −
CHAPTER SEVEN  
  −
 
  −
Humus and Soil Productivity  
  −
 
  −
 
  −
 
  −
 
      
Books about hydroponics sound plausible. That is, until you actually
 
Books about hydroponics sound plausible. That is, until you actually
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on the actual nutritional quality of the food that they produce.  
 
on the actual nutritional quality of the food that they produce.  
   −
How Humus Benefits Soil  
+
===How Humus Benefits Soil ===
    
The roots of plants, soil animals, and most soil microorganisms need
 
The roots of plants, soil animals, and most soil microorganisms need
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America in another century or two.  
 
America in another century or two.  
   −
The Earthworm's Role in Soil Fertility  
+
===The Earthworm's Role in Soil Fertility ===
    
Soil fertility has been gauged by different measures. Howard
 
Soil fertility has been gauged by different measures. Howard
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better.  
 
better.  
   −
Amendment to clay soil  Percolation rate in inches per minute  
+
Amendment to clay soil  Percolation rate in inches per minute  
                        Without worms    With worms
+
                          Without worms    With worms
None                    0.0              0.0
+
None                    0.0              0.0
Grass and fertilizer    0.2              0.8
+
Grass and fertilizer    0.2              0.8
Mulch                    0.0              1.5
+
Mulch                    0.0              1.5
    
Most people who honestly consider these facts conclude that the
 
Most people who honestly consider these facts conclude that the
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category for tactical reasons.  
 
category for tactical reasons.  
   −
Location        Worms per sq. ft. Worms per acre  
+
Location        Worms per sq. ft. Worms per acre  
Marcellus, NY  38                1,600,000  
+
Marcellus, NY  38                1,600,000  
Ithica, NY      4                190,000  
+
Ithica, NY      4                190,000  
Frederick, MD  50                2,200,000  
+
Frederick, MD  50                2,200,000  
Beltsville, MD  8                350,000  
+
Beltsville, MD  8                350,000  
Zanesville, OH  37                1,600,000  
+
Zanesville, OH  37                1,600,000  
Coshocton, OH  5                220,000  
+
Coshocton, OH  5                220,000  
Mayaquez, P.R.* 6                260,000  
+
Mayaquez, P.R.* 6                260,000  
 
+
*Because of the high rate of bacterial decomposition, few earthworms
+
*Because of the high rate of bacterial decomposition, few earthworms are found in tropical soils unless they are continuously ammended with substantial quantities of organic matter.  
are found in tropical soils unless they are continuously ammended
  −
with substantial quantities of organic matter.  
      
Howard especially denigrated sulfate of ammonia and single
 
Howard especially denigrated sulfate of ammonia and single
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earthworms. I've learned to treat rotenone with great caution.  
 
earthworms. I've learned to treat rotenone with great caution.  
   −
Microbes and Soil Fertility  
+
===Microbes and Soil Fertility ===
    
There are still other holistic standards to measure soil
 
There are still other holistic standards to measure soil
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+
==CHAPTER EIGHT - Maintaining Soil Humus ==
 
  −
 
  −
 
  −
CHAPTER EIGHT  
  −
 
  −
Maintaining Soil Humus  
  −
 
  −
 
  −
 
  −
 
      
Organic matter benefits soil productivity not because it is present,
 
Organic matter benefits soil productivity not because it is present,
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we do?  
 
we do?  
   −
How Much Humus is Soil Supposed to Have?  
+
===How Much Humus is Soil Supposed to Have? ===
    
If you measured the organic matter contents of various soils around
 
If you measured the organic matter contents of various soils around
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add a half-inch thick layer that's about what I was applying.  
 
add a half-inch thick layer that's about what I was applying.  
   −
Fertilizing Vegetables with Compost  
+
===Fertilizing Vegetables with Compost ===
    
Will a five ton per acre addition of compost provide enough
 
Will a five ton per acre addition of compost provide enough
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rice.'  
 
rice.'  
   −
Humus and the Nutritional Quality of Food  
+
===Humus and the Nutritional Quality of Food ===
    
I believe that the purpose of food is not merely to fill the belly
 
I believe that the purpose of food is not merely to fill the belly
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horror of all horrors, chemical fertilizer.  
 
horror of all horrors, chemical fertilizer.  
   −
Climate and the Nutritional Quality of Food  
+
====Climate and the Nutritional Quality of Food ===
    
Over geologic time spans, water passing through soil leaches or
 
Over geologic time spans, water passing through soil leaches or
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expresses the essential qualities of dryland and humid soils.  
 
expresses the essential qualities of dryland and humid soils.  
   −
Soil Mineral Content by Climate Area  
+
Soil Mineral Content by Climate Area  
 
+
Plant Nutrient  Dryland Prairie Soil  Humid Forest Soil  
+
Plant Nutrient  Dryland Prairie Soil  Humid Forest Soil  
nitrogen        high                  low  
+
nitrogen        high                  low  
phosphorus      high                  low  
+
phosphorus      high                  low  
potassium        high                  moderately high  
+
potassium        high                  moderately high  
calcium          very high              low  
+
calcium          very high              low  
pH              neutral                acid  
+
pH              neutral                acid  
    
Dryland soils contain far higher levels of all minerals than leached
 
Dryland soils contain far higher levels of all minerals than leached
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for nutritional content they proved to be quite different.  
 
for nutritional content they proved to be quite different.  
   −
Soil    Yield  Calories Protein Calcium Phosphorus Potassium  
+
Soil    Yield  Calories Protein Calcium Phosphorus Potassium  
Humid  17.8 gm High    13%    0.27%  0.14%      2.15%  
+
Humid  17.8 gm High    13%    0.27%  0.14%      2.15%  
Dryland 14.7 gm Medium  17%    0.74%  0.25%      1.01%  
+
Dryland 14.7 gm Medium  17%    0.74%  0.25%      1.01%  
    
The potassium-fortified soil gave a 25 percent higher bulk yield but
 
The potassium-fortified soil gave a 25 percent higher bulk yield but
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samples, including many different food crops from each climate.  
 
samples, including many different food crops from each climate.  
   −
Average Nutritional Content by Climate  
+
Average Nutritional Content by Climate  
 
+
Nutrient                      Dryland Soil Humid Soil  
+
Nutrient                      Dryland Soil Humid Soil  
Potassium                      2.44%        1.27%  
+
Potassium                      2.44%        1.27%  
Calcium                        1.92%        0.28%  
+
Calcium                        1.92%        0.28%  
Phosphorus                    0.78%        0.42%  
+
Phosphorus                    0.78%        0.42%  
Total mineral nutrition        5.14%        1.97%  
+
Total mineral nutrition        5.14%        1.97%  
Ratio of Potassium to Calciuim 1.20/1      4.50/1  
+
Ratio of Potassium to Calciuim 1.20/1      4.50/1  
    
Analyzed as a whole, these data tell us a great deal about how we
 
Analyzed as a whole, these data tell us a great deal about how we
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and a healthy, complex soil ecology.  
 
and a healthy, complex soil ecology.  
   −
Fertilizing Gardens Organically  
+
===Fertilizing Gardens Organically ===
    
Scientists analyzing the connections between soil fertility and the
 
Scientists analyzing the connections between soil fertility and the
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slaughterhouse wastes; dried kelp and other seaweeds; and fish meal.
 
slaughterhouse wastes; dried kelp and other seaweeds; and fish meal.
   −
Composition of Organic Fertilizers  
+
Composition of Organic Fertilizers  
 
+
Material                    % Nitrogen % Phos. % Potassium  
+
Material                    % Nitrogen % Phos. % Potassium  
Alfalfa meal                2.5        0.5    2.1  
+
Alfalfa meal                2.5        0.5    2.1  
Bone meal (raw)              3.5        21.0    0.2  
+
Bone meal (raw)              3.5        21.0    0.2  
Bone meal (steamed)          2.0        21.0    0.2  
+
Bone meal (steamed)          2.0        21.0    0.2  
Chicken manure (pure, fresh) 2.6        1.25    0.75  
+
Chicken manure (pure, fresh) 2.6        1.25    0.75  
Cottonseed meal              7.0        3.0    2.0  
+
Cottonseed meal              7.0        3.0    2.0  
Blood meal                  12.0      3.0    --  
+
Blood meal                  12.0      3.0    --  
Fish meal                    8.0        7.0    --  
+
Fish meal                    8.0        7.0    --  
Greensand                    --        1.5    7.0  
+
Greensand                    --        1.5    7.0  
Hoof and Horn                12.5      2.0    --  
+
Hoof and Horn                12.5      2.0    --  
Kelp meal                    1.5        0.75    4.9  
+
Kelp meal                    1.5        0.75    4.9  
Peanut meal                  3.6        0.7    0.5  
+
Peanut meal                  3.6        0.7    0.5  
Tankage                      11.0      5.0    --  
+
Tankage                      11.0      5.0    --  
    
Growing most types of vegetables requires building a level of soil
 
Growing most types of vegetables requires building a level of soil
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fertility.  
 
fertility.  
   −
Making and Using Complete Organic Fertilizer  
+
===Making and Using Complete Organic Fertilizer ===
    
The basic ingredients used for making balanced organic fertilizers
 
The basic ingredients used for making balanced organic fertilizers
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quit yielding?  
 
quit yielding?  
   −
 
+
==CHAPTER NINE - Making Superior Compost ==
 
  −
 
  −
 
  −
 
  −
CHAPTER NINE  
  −
 
  −
Making Superior Compost  
  −
 
  −
 
  −
 
  −
 
      
The potency of composts can vary greatly. Most municipal solid waste
 
The potency of composts can vary greatly. Most municipal solid waste
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chapter is for you.  
 
chapter is for you.  
   −
A Little History  
+
===A Little History ===
    
Before the twentieth century, the fertilizers market gardeners used
 
Before the twentieth century, the fertilizers market gardeners used
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inspiration from England through this tradition.  
 
inspiration from England through this tradition.  
   −
Curing the Heap  
+
===Curing the Heap ===
    
The easiest and most sure-fire improver of compost quality is time.
 
The easiest and most sure-fire improver of compost quality is time.
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demand.  
 
demand.  
   −
Sir Albert Howard's Indore Method  
+
===Sir Albert Howard's Indore Method ===
    
Nineteenth-century farmers and market gardeners had much practical
 
Nineteenth-century farmers and market gardeners had much practical
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cattle. Country life can be quite idyllic--without flies.  
 
cattle. Country life can be quite idyllic--without flies.  
   −
The Indore Compost Factory  
+
===The Indore Compost Factory ===
    
At Indore, Howard built a covered, open-sided, compost-making
 
At Indore, Howard built a covered, open-sided, compost-making
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Howard's work oxen were conveniently housed in the next building.  
 
Howard's work oxen were conveniently housed in the next building.  
   −
Soil and Urine Earth  
+
===Soil and Urine Earth ===
    
Howard had been raised on an English farm and from childhood he had
 
Howard had been raised on an English farm and from childhood he had
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be furnished with all the armament they need."  
 
be furnished with all the armament they need."  
   −
Crop Wastes  
+
===Crop Wastes ===
    
Crop wastes were protected from moisture, stored dry under cover
 
Crop wastes were protected from moisture, stored dry under cover
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insure that no flies would breed in it.  
 
insure that no flies would breed in it.  
   −
Manure  
+
===Manure ===
    
Though crop wastes and urine-earth could be stored dry for later
 
Though crop wastes and urine-earth could be stored dry for later
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begin as rapidly nor proceed as surely.  
 
begin as rapidly nor proceed as surely.  
   −
Charging the Compost Pits  
+
===Charging the Compost Pits ===
    
Every effort was made to fill a pit to the brim within one week. If
 
Every effort was made to fill a pit to the brim within one week. If
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Today, we would call this practice "mass inoculation."  
 
Today, we would call this practice "mass inoculation."  
   −
Pits Versus Heaps  
+
===Pits Versus Heaps ===
    
India has two primary seasons. Most of the year is hot and dry while
 
India has two primary seasons. Most of the year is hot and dry while
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covered pits to start a new heap every week.  
 
covered pits to start a new heap every week.  
   −
Temperature Range in Normal Pit  
+
===Temperature Range in Normal Pit ===
    
Age in days Temperature in degree C  
 
Age in days Temperature in degree C  
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Total 97 days  
 
Total 97 days  
   −
Turning  
+
===Turning ===
    
_Turning the compost_ was done three times: To insure uniform
 
_Turning the compost_ was done three times: To insure uniform
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conservation of nitrogen.  
 
conservation of nitrogen.  
   −
The Superior Value of Indore Compost.  
+
===The Superior Value of Indore Compost. ===
    
Howard said that finished Indore compost was twice as rich in
 
Howard said that finished Indore compost was twice as rich in
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into a biological nitrate factory with optimum aeration.  
 
into a biological nitrate factory with optimum aeration.  
   −
Making Indore Compost in Deep and Shallow Pits  
+
===Making Indore Compost in Deep and Shallow Pits ===
    
                                     Pit 4 feet deep  Pit 2 feet deep
 
                                     Pit 4 feet deep  Pit 2 feet deep
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temperature regimes in your climate with your materials.  
 
temperature regimes in your climate with your materials.  
   −
Inoculants  
+
===Inoculants ===
    
Howard's technique of mass inoculation with large amounts of
 
Howard's technique of mass inoculation with large amounts of
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Bibliography  
+
==Bibliography ==
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On composting and soil organic matter  
+
===On composting and soil organic matter ===
    
_Workshop on the Role of Earthworms in the Stabilization of Organic
 
_Workshop on the Role of Earthworms in the Stabilization of Organic