382 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



a means of taking away larger quantities than he has ever been 

 able to obtain before. 



It is to the improvement of the soil, as I conceive, that the 

 practical man ought now to especially turn his attention. He 

 must no longer be afraid of the hard names, which scientific 

 men mention, when they are talking of the substances which 

 make up his soils and plants. It would not be difficult for him 

 to master these, so as to become quite familiar with them ; but 

 whether he does this or not, let him try some experiments, as 

 he is advised to do, and see if the results are not satisfactory. 

 Even if unsuccessful at first, let him not throw up the matter 

 at once, and say that he knew the whole thing was a " take 

 in," but let him think whether he has not made some mistake, 

 and try again. 



I have talked, for instance, to hundreds of farmers, about the 

 great benefit to be derived from the use of bones as a manure. 

 You all know, that probably nine-tenths of the bones in this 

 country are thrown away, — at least, so far as agriculture is con- 

 cerned. I do not suppose, that one in a hundred of those who 

 have heard me, have, in consequence, ever done anything toward 

 saving and applying their bones. Yet this very application is 

 one of the greatest features in modern improved husbandry. 

 Let me, by way of illustration, explain briefly the nature and 

 composition of bones, and the reasons why they are so valu- 

 able. 



When we examine the bones of men, of animals, of birds, 

 or of fishes, we find that in all, there is one particular substance 

 present, in large quantity. This substance is called phosphoric 

 acid. It is present in combination with lime, forming what is 

 called phosphate of lime. Beside this, there are found small 

 quantities of other mineral substances : carbonate of lime, car- 

 bonate of magnesia, oxide of iron, and a little silica. These 

 are the mineral constituents; there is also an animal organic 

 substance, in large quantity, called gelatine. This is that which 

 makes glue, when boiled out by the glue manufacturers. Be- 

 side all these, fresh bones contain much water ; in those of 

 .fishes, this amounts to a large portion of the whole ; but when 



