54 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



bone meal to land, when the full benefits of it ax'e desired at once. 

 It is most rationally used whei'e a gradual, lasting effect would be 

 profitable. An admirable waj- to utilize bone meal or even ground 

 phosphatic rock, when a farmer has land that responds to phosphoric 

 acid, is to mix it with a fermenting manure or comjwst heap. The 

 carbonic acid generated in a pile of moist decaying organic matter, 

 is able to bring into an available condition a portion of the phos- 

 phates, which action in the case of the bone meal is aided b}- the 

 fermentation communicated to it. 



No farmer should ever buy bone black to apply to the land as such, 

 for it is very slow in giving up its phosphoric acid, owing to the 

 presence of cai'bon, wliich protects the particles of phosphate from 

 decomposing influences. Phosphatic rock is still slower in allowing 

 its phosphoric acid to become available. The application of any 

 phosphate that has not been treated with sulphuric acid, cannot be 

 depended upon to cause a large increase of crop the first year. The 

 matter of home-made supeiphosphate is one of some importance. 

 It is manufactured on a small scale by some farmers. Bones can be 

 purchased before the}- are ground, for a cent a pound ; bone meal 

 costs uearl}' two cents per pound. If one lives near a bone mill, 

 and can get the bones, it is a much cheaper wa}- to purchase thorn 

 and have them ground, than to pay thirty-five dollars per ton for no 

 better bone meal. "When a small quantity of superphosphate only 

 is desired, it is doubtful if it is wise to take the trouble of manufac- 

 turing it ; if one had a demand for several tons it would be another 

 matter. It is wise, however, to save all the bones that collect about 

 the house ; purchase all that can be convenicnth' obtained from the 

 neighbors, and then after they are crushed, put them in the compost 

 heap or in moistened ashes. Do not burn the bones, as they contain 

 considerable nitrogeucous material that is valualile. Bones decom- 

 pose more quickly if the fat is extracted by steaming. 



The idea of obtaining phosphoric acid cheaply by purchasing its 

 insoluble for)ns and submitting to the action of a compost heap, is 

 undoubtedl}- a practical one for a farmer, who finds that his soil 

 needs that ingredient. A pound of insoluble phosphoric acid can be 

 purchased from three and one-half to five cents, costing twelve and 

 one-half cents when bought of the maiuifacturers in a soluble condi- 

 tion. If the consumer can get the same eflfect without paying the 

 extra cost, it is exceedingly wise to do so. At least, do not allow 

 an}- waste of bones. 



