I will be giving a lecture on composting in the 1800's (on southern plantations) in a couple months. Anyone got any ideas or knowledge on the subject before I start my research?
TGWS (or TIA),
Dirt

Got a good one for you, Dirt.

Off a website that I know well but won't mention:


Historically
composting to enrich the soil goes back to the day when some herdsman
discovered that the grass was always greener around the cow patties
and the sunflowers always grow taller near the outhouse! Horse manure
was used by the first group of settlers to improve their crops. Both
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were informed farmers with skills
in using green manure/animal manure to their benefit. In today's world,
a plastic bag of Steer Manure can be found in almost every garden. And
that is where we begin to worry about additives, growth hormones and
similar un-naturals in our compost!

Monticello may be a geat source of info:

http://www.monticello.org/grounds/veg_nineteenth.html


Hope that this is useful.


John /Ecologicals

Good background info on the history of composting here also, as well.

http://perc.ca/PEN/1997-04/king.html

I did lecture for gardening laymen on the history of composting and organic methodology at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens a few months ago.
Look up all you can on Charles Darwin and his work with vermicomposting. Also Sir Albert Howard and his work with hot compiles (founder of the organic farming movement and mentor to Mr. Rodale! ). Also check out Rudolph Steiner and his discoveries and philosophical works with biodynamic agriculture.

Hope this helps!