How to make compost

56. Make a compost pile near the pond. Put it in a shady place protected from rain.

Protect the compost

57. Make your pile in layers. Make the first layer of grass or leaves mixed with a spadeful of topsoil, and damp it with water to make it rot faster.

58 Then make a second layer of animal manure mixed with a spadeful of topsoil and some water.

Make the pile

59. Use animal manure from sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, chickens or ducks.

Use animal manure

60. In place of animal manure you can also use cotton seed, spoiled fruit, household garbage, ashes from the fireplace or night soil.

Use garbage

61. Then make another layer of grass or leaves, and another of manure, until you have a large pile.

Make a large pile

62. Keep your compost pile damp by watering it every few days.

63. Let the compost pile rot for about a month.

Rot the compost pile a month

64. Take compost from the bottom of the pile, or the old part of the pile, where it is most rotten, to put in your pond.

Use the compost from the bottom

65. Add new layers to your pile every week so that you will always have compost.

66. If you have too much compost you can use some to fertilize your land.