After laying up the heap, the tank should be filled with liquid manure from the stables, slops from the house, soap-suds, or other water containing fertilizing matter, to be pumped over the mass. There should be enough of the liquid to saturate the heap and filter through to fill the tank twice a week, at which intervals it should be again pumped up, thus continually being passed through the manure. This liquid should not be changed, as it contains much soluble manure. Should the liquid manures named above not be sufficient, the quantity may be increased by the use of rain-water. That falling during the first ten minutes of a shower is the best, as it contains much ammonia. The effects produced by frequently watering the compost is one of the greatest advantages of this system. The soluble portions of the manure are equally diffused through every part of the heap. Should the heat of fermentation be too great, the watering will reduce it. When the compost is saturated with water, the air is driven out; and, as the water subsides, _fresh_ air enters and takes its place. This fresh air contains oxygen, which assists in the decomposition of the manure. In short, the watering does all the work of forking over by hand much better and much more cheaply. [Why will the ammonia of manure thus made, not escape if it be used as a top dressing? What are the advantages of preparing manures in this manner? What is the profit attending it?] At the end of a month or more, this compost will be ready for use. The layers in the manure will have disappeared, the whole mass having become of a uniform character, highly fertilizing, and ready to be immediately used by plants. It may be applied to the soil, either as a top-dressing, or otherwise, without fear of loss, as the muck will retain all of the gases which would otherwise evaporate. The cost and trouble of the foregoing system of composting are trifling compared with its advantages. The quantity of the manure is much increased, and its quality improved. The health of the animals is secured by the retention of those gases, which, when allowed to escape, render impure the air which they have to breathe. The cleanliness of the stable and yard is much advanced as the effete matters, which would otherwise litter them, are carefully removed to the compost.