compost

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compost

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

compost substance composed mainly of partly decayed organic material that is applied to fertilize the soil and to increase its humus content; it is often used in vegetable farming, home gardens, flower beds, lawns, and greenhouses. Compost usually is made from plant materials (e.g., grass clippings, vegetable tops, garden weeds, hay, tree leaves, sawdust, and peat) together with manure and some soil; lime, superphosphates , and nitrogen fertilizers are often added with manure to reinforce the compost and hasten its decomposition.

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compost

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | © The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

compost (cookery) compote XIV; prepared manure XVI; (arch.) composition XVII. — OF. composte and compost :- L. composta, -tum, sb. uses of fem. and n. of compōnere COMPOUND 2.

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T. F. HOAD. "compost." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "compost." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (December 10, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-compost.html

T. F. HOAD. "compost." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved December 10, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-compost.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Free Article "Designer" composts to fight farm pollutants.
Magazine article from: Agricultural Research; 5/1/1998
Free Article WSDA Samples Compost for Herbicide Residue for Second Year; Ban Reduces Levels of Clopyralid in Compost.
Business Wire; 6/20/2003
Free Article What is compost quality?(compost & raw materials)
Magazine article from: Mushroom News; 8/1/2009

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