MANURES. 365 



every expectation ; and where before sixteen and twenty bushels 

 of bones were applied to an acre, in the growth particularly of 

 turnips, four bushels, prepared with sulphuric acid, are found 

 now to be even more effectual. The advantages of such a 

 preparation are very great, first, in stimulating and forwarding 

 the growth of the plant ; next, in the cheapness of the applica 

 tion ; and next, in its so forcing the plant, as soon to place it 

 beyond the reach of the fly, which never attacks it after the third 

 leaf is formed. 



The best mode of preparing the manure has been matter of 

 various experiments, and deserves inquiry from the acrid nature 

 of the acid employed the oil of vitriol. Mr. Pusey advises, to 

 erect a heap of fine mould, and, forming a basin or crater in the 

 centre, to place the amount of bones to be dissolved in it, and to 

 apply gradually an amount of sulphuric acid equal to half the 

 weight of the bones, which, after a short time, will completely 

 dissolve them : and then, shovelling and mixing the mould to 

 gether, the manure will all be in a condition to be distributed by 

 a machine in the drills prepared for sowing the turnip seed. 



Mr. Tennant. of Shields, one of the best farmers in Scotland, 

 puts twenty-five bushels of bones into three old iron boilers, and 

 next pours in two bottles of acid, containing one hundred and 

 seventy pounds each, and adds eighteen gallons of water to each 

 boiler. In a day or two. they empty the contents of the boilers 

 into two cart-loads of light mould, with which it is thoroughly 

 intermixed : and, being turned over three or four times, after 

 seven or eight weeks the compost becomes dry and mealy, and 

 can be spread by the hand. 



Mr. Spooner advises, to place the bones in a hogshead, and 

 pour the acid upon them at the rate of one third of the weight 

 of the bones in acid, that is, to one hundred and eighty pounds 

 of bones sixty pounds of acid ; and, after it becomes sufficiently 

 dissolved, to mix it with ashes, and apply it in that form. He 

 recommends, likewise, that, first of all, the acid should be mixed 

 with one fourth of its weight of water, or perhaps half as much 

 water as acid, which will raise it to the temperature of 300 

 Fahr., and will much assist the dissolving process. Too 

 much care cannot be taken to guard against the effects of the 

 acid upon the clothes or skin of the operator. 



The beneficial effects of this application are now beyond ques- 

 31* 



