1 38 LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY. 



of at once ministering to the growth of plants. The organic 

 matters of the bones also undergo decomposition, and are 

 converted into new forms. Thus, by the influence of this 

 acid, the fertilizing qualities of bones can be rendered imme- 

 diately available, and the chief objection to their use removed. 

 206. There are various names given to this preparation of 

 bones, which occasionally create confusion, as dissolved bones, 

 sulphated hones, super-phosphate of lime, vitriolized bones. 

 Of these names the last is, probably, to be prefeiTed, as it 

 at once expresses the ingredients of the compound. The 

 extended use of this valuable manure, at the present time, 

 requires that I should make a few remarks on the plan to be 

 followed, in its preparation by the farmer. Various methods 

 are adopted ; but the following can be recommended : — 



I. How the bones shoidd be prepared. — The bones to be 

 used cannot be broken too small; the more extensive the 

 surface presented to the action of the acid, the more rapid 

 and perfect will be the solution. The bones usually employed 

 are in too large pieces ; and a higher price should willingly 

 be given for them when reduced to powder. The price of 

 half-inch bones, as they are termed, is in Belfast 25. 6fZ. per 

 bushel. In every farm-yard, an old sugar hogshead should 

 be kept, into which all the bones, woollen rags, old hats, and 

 broken leather, should be thrown, and preserved, for being 

 reduced to manure in the vitriol vat. 



II. Quantity of vitriol to be 'used. — The acid should be 

 purchased of full strength ; that is, of the specific gravity at 

 which it is sent from the manufactory, viz. 1-845. It should 

 be kept in a close vessel, as, when exposed, it rapidly attracts 

 moisture from the air, and becomes weaker. It must not be 

 forgotten, that it will burn both the skin and clothes, if 

 allowed to come into contact with them. When the strong 

 acid is mixed with water, a considerable amount of heat is 

 produced : twenty-five pounds of oil of vitriol, mixed with ten 

 pounds of water, will raise the temperature to 266 degrees. 

 The proportion of acid to be used in the preparation of 

 vitriolized bones, is one hundred weight of acid for every two 

 hundred weight of bones to be dissolved. A smaller amount 

 of acid is frequently applied; but the above proportions 

 will give the most satisfactory results. Vitriol, of full 

 strength, can be purchased from the manufacturer at \d. 

 per pound. 



