108 FISH MANURE. 



The flesh of fish contains large quantities of nitro 

 gen, and acts with much energy in hastening the 

 growth of plants. The bones contain more water, 

 and consequently, in their wet state, less phosphates 

 than those of animals; but this very softness occasions 

 their rapid decay, and more speedy action. Dry fish 

 bones are richer in phosphates than the bones of ani 

 mals. Fish decomposes so quickly, that it should 

 either be ploughed under, or made into a well covered 

 compost heap at once: probably the last is best. It 

 is difficult to cover them in the soil so that some loss 

 shall not take place. 



The use of this manure, for the reasons given above, 

 has been confined to the immediate vicinity of the 

 sea-coast. It would be very desirable to find some 

 method of preserving it so that it might bear trans 

 portation, without losing its good qualities, and with 

 out becoming offensive. Experiments are now being 

 made, with a view to this result, which bid fair to 

 prove entirely successful, and to bring this admirable 

 manure within the reach of the interior at a reason 

 able rate. 



On many parts of the Scotch coasts, there are ex 

 tensive beds of scollops and muscles, which are got 

 up and applied largely to the land with excellent ef 

 fect. Our farmers near the sea would do well to seek 

 supplies of this kind also. The shells of all shellfish 

 are valuable, on account of the lime which forms their 

 chief bulk, and the animal inhabitants are remarkably 

 rich in nitrogen. They all decompose rapidly, and 

 require immediate attention to prevent loss. 



Thin shells, such as muscles, soft clams, etc., crum 

 ble down quite rapidly: thick shells require cracking 

 and crushing, to ensure their speedy decomposition. 



