North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Erdman, James" <ErdmanJ@uwstout.edu>]

Hello all
I seem to remember reading somewhere of a simple test to use for free 
compost, municipal compost, or other questionable organic materials, to see 
if there are pesticide residues in it.  It involved (I think) growing a test 
crop in a sample of the material, using a sensitive plant that would show 
stunted growth quickly if there were problematic materials such as herbicide 
residues in the compost.  I am a bit concerned about the free compost/leaf 
mold available at our municipal landfill, and would like to check it to see 
if I should be concerned about possible residue from lawn chemicals that may 
have ended up in the finished compost piles at the local landfill.
 
Anyone remember anything that may be helpful to me?
 
Jim, in Menomonie, WI