DIFFERENT METHODS OF USING BONES 97 



and desirable organic and inorganic manures. Both 

 of these parts are fitted to minister powerfully to the 

 growth of the plant. 



When the bones are applied whole, the effect is not 

 very marked at first, because they decay slowly in the 

 soil : it is also necessary to put on a large quantity 

 per acre. The best way is to have them crushed to 

 powder, or to fine fragments, in mills. Ten bushels 

 of dust w^ll produce a more immediate and abundant 

 result tl^n 80 or 100 bushels of whole bones, although 

 of efrtfrse the effect will be sooner over. An advanta 

 geous way of using them, is to put on 8 to 10 bushels 

 of dust per acre, and half the usual quantity of farm 

 yard manure. 



Boiled bones, that have been used by the glue- 

 makers, are still quite valuable : they have lost the 

 greater part of their gelatine, but the phosphates re 

 main; and the bones are so softened by the long 

 boiling that they have undergone, as to decompose 

 quickly, and afford an immediate supply of food to 

 plants. 



Another most important form of applying bones, is 

 in a state of solution by sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol). 

 This is a cheap substance, costing by the carboy not 

 more than 2J to 3 cents per Ib. To every 100 Ibs." of 

 bones, about 50 to 60 of acid are taken; if bone dust 

 is used, from 25 to 45 Ibs. of acid is sufficient. The 

 acid must be mixed with two or three times its bulk 

 of water, because if applied strong it would only burn 

 and blacken the bones without dissolving them. 



a. The bones are placed in a tub, and a portion of 

 the previously diluted acid poured upon them. Aftei 

 standing a day, another portion of acid may be poured 

 on; and finally the last on the third day, if they are 

 not already dissolved. The mass should be often 

 stirred. 



&. Another good way is to place the bones in a 

 9 



