FOR MOWING AND PASTURE LANDS. 157 



bly owing to the soil rather than to the atmosphere. There is 

 one other remark in this connection. When plaster has been 

 apphed withont immediate effect, we should not at once con- 

 clude that it is useless on tlie particular soil to which it is ap- 

 plied. The first season may be dry, and ill adapted to its de- 

 composition". In such cases, good results have ordinarily fol- 

 lowed the second year. 



The great utility of bones as a manure, arises from the large 

 amount of phosphates which they contain. On all pastures 

 which have been long fed, the phosphate of lime is exhausted. 

 It is constantly taken from the earth in the grass, to form the 

 bone, the muscle, and the milk of animals.* Of the earthy 

 matter in bones, nearly five sixths consist of phosphate of lime 

 and magnesia. Nitrogen is also abundant, and, of course, am- 

 monia, for this is an element of nitrogen. A few bushels of 

 bone dust will often quite restore old worn out pastures. In- 

 deed, almost every part, of which bones are composed, goes 

 directly to the nourishment of vegetable life. The ashes of 

 all grains are very rich in phosphate of lime. This shows the 

 importance of fiu'nishing this element for their use. 



But, it may be asked, how are we to know when bone ma- 

 nure is required ? Doubtless every farmer has observed the 

 eagerness with which animals, and particularly milch cows, 

 seize bones whenever they can find them. Cows require a 

 large amount of phosphate of lime, and when their feed is des- 

 titute of it, they are compelled to seek it in the bones. And 

 when they are seen to resort to them for it, we may be sure 

 there is a deficiency in their pastures. Bones have been much 

 longer and more extensively used in England than in this 

 country. More than twenty years ago, the importation of 

 bones into England amounted to more than forty thousand tons 

 a year, at an expense of more than five hundred thousand dol- 

 lars. Their use has been much increased since. They are 

 f — 



*The bo7ie disorder, to which allusion has been made in a former note, has 

 sometimes been thought to arise from something the cows eat in the pastures. 

 If this were the case, why should not other animals, fed on the same pastures, 

 be affected by it. If it arise from the exhaustion of phosphate, it would seem 

 more proper to ascribe it to something they do not eat ! 



