148 On Bones as a Manure. 



found to benefit, not only the particular crop to which it is^applied, 

 but that it extends its influence to the succeeding ones, and that, even 

 in the following courses, its effects are visible, in the improved qua- 

 lity of the soil, and the efficiency of a smaller quantity of bones, than 

 was at first necessary to insure a crop. 



It may be proper to conclude this interesting inquiry, with some 

 general remarks on the utility of manures. 



It has been justly observed, that all vegetables, naturally incline to 

 that state in which they existed, when sown and produced by the 

 hand of nature, without any artificial aid ; and that the great objects 

 of agriculture are, 1. To keep up vegetables in that unnaturally luxu- 

 riant state, in which they are brought by cultivation ; and, 2. To pre- 

 serve their health, and distinct character and properties, while they 

 are in that state. For these important purposes, the application of 

 manures is necessary. It is not essential however, that the manure 

 applied should, in all cases, be sufficient to maintain that unnatural 

 luxuriance of the plant, which it has acquired in the course of its 

 cultivation, for many plants, in particular turnips and potatoes, draw 

 nourishment from the atmosphere as well as the soil, and consequently 

 do not require the same quantity of manure, as in the case of corn, 

 where the growth of the plant, in a great measure, depends upon the 

 fertility and richness of the soil *. 



* See some ingenious observations, entitled, Remarks on Manures, and on 

 the Action of Ground Bones on Plants, and the Soil. Quarterly Journal of 

 Agriculture, No. I. p. 43. Mr Mason of Chilton tried the following experi- 

 ment : " He applied forty bushels of bones, broken small, with eighty bushels 

 " of burnt soil, to one acre, and to an acre immediately adjoining, forty gallons 

 " of unrefined whale oil, (which cost 8^d. per gallon), mixed with one hun- 

 " dred and twenty bushels of screened oil." This last mixture was made one 

 month before it was used. The result was, that the soil and oil gave him at 

 the rate of 23 tons, 5 cwt. 6 st. per acre, while the bones and burnt soil produ- 

 ced 21 tons, 18 cwt. 6 st. per acre, making therefore, a decisive difference, in 

 favour of the fine earth and oil. See the Doncaster Report, p. SO. 



The attention of the spirited farmer, to this important experiment, cannot be 

 too strongly recommended, for oil would be a much more accessible species of 

 manure than even bone-dust, and could be had in greater qnantities, and at a 

 cheaper rate. 



The want of an experimental farm, to try the effect of such experiments as 

 these, is deeply to be lamented. In the interim, it is highly desirable, that 

 agricultural associations should endeavour to supply the deficiency, by a diligent 

 inquiry into the practices of different farmers, and a publication of the most 

 important improvements, which they have respectively discovered. This is an 

 advantage, which hay not hitherto been obtained to the extent it ought, owing 

 to the attention of the public, not being hitherto sufficiently called to the im- 

 mediate and extensive advantages which would result from habits of inquiry. 

 Hence, owing to the want of communication and intercourse on practical farm- 

 ing subjects, the improvements adopted by one farmer, are unknown, even, 

 among his nearest neighbours. It is next to impossible, that hundreds and 

 even thousands of intelligent men, should be in the practice of directing and 

 superintending agricultural operations, without making some improvements in 

 their method ; and it cannot be doubted, that the advantages accruing from 

 the improvements they have discovered, might be made equally available to all 



