1S46.] Bones for Manure. 113 



rials, and in a di-}' state, it may be used like guano for corn or 

 wheat. Ii is after all questionable whether in a series of years 

 there is more economy in the use of the super-phosphate. Bone, 

 if ground, will decompose and give its elements to the growing 

 crops. Its operations will last longer, but will not of course be 

 so effective for the first or second year. We think that there is 

 economy in dealing out just the proper quantity of food to plants. 

 We know there is in feeding animals. We seek the perfection of 

 the one, as well as the other, and probably there is a point 

 when manure may be so abundantly supplied that loss and waste 

 actually occurs. 



The mineral phosphate of lime of our rocks can be applied and 

 used only by a solution in oil of vitriol; or at least, the powder 

 dissolves so slowly that it is a matter of great importance to bring 

 it to the state of super-phosphate. We have one crystal which 

 contains nearly a sufficient quantity of phosphate of lime to sup- 

 ply an acre of corn. All the phosphate of soils, however, is the 

 mineral phosphate; but it has been acted upon for a long time by 

 air, water, and organic acids; besides, it is treasured up in a more 

 soluble state in vegetables, which decay, and in which it proba- 

 bly exists in the state of a super-phosphate; but the amount is 

 small, and where seed is removed from the soil it is soon exhaust- 

 ed, and then plants must depend upon the small amount of the 

 unchanged mineral phosphate in the soil, unless it is supplied by 

 the farmer. 



No. vn. 8 



