For what ist's worth, the USDA Honey Bee Lab in Madison, about 20+ years ago, did a large, controled study using various amounts of composted slumgum as a mulch for vegetables. (composted by this definition was that it had sat outside, in a large pile, for at least 2 years). We used small plots with tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, zukes, and green and lima beans. We used rates of slumgum at 100 lbs/ac., 200 lbs./ac and 500 lbs./ac. (of course we didn't use that much because the plots were small). Other treatments were straw mulch, peatmoss as a soil amendment, composted leaves at the same rates, all with fertilizer at soil analysis recommended rates, all without fertilizer and fertilizer only. Across the board the plots with slumgum out performed comparable plots in yield, vigor (measured as health of the plants relative to pests and disease), earliness of production and length of production. Bottom line, if you have a lot of this stuff, it works well as a soil amendment for vegetable gardens. Kim Flottum Editor, BeeCulture 623 West Liberty Street Medina, Ohio 44256 V - 800.289.7668 Ext 3214 Fax - 330.725.5624 [log in to unmask] www.BeeCulture.com :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::