176 THE TREE PROPAGATOR AND PLANTER. 



manure is very lasting and feeding, on account of its 

 slow decomposition in its pure state ; crushed bones, 

 for instance, are perhaps more lasting than anything 

 else, but in conjunction with alkalies or acids they do 

 not last so long. Even then, however, bone manure is 

 better than guano, and does not exhaust the ground 

 as that does. Guano contains so much stimulant that 

 it drives the plant too fast, so that it draws heavily 

 upon the ground ; consequently the land frequently 

 will not grow a second crop without a good dressing 

 of manure being put on it. Bone manure, however, 

 will give a second and even a third crop ; but a great 

 deal depends, of course, upon the quality of the 

 manure. Some kinds contain but a small proportion 

 of bones, and are made up of ashes, soot, and alkalies. 

 If a pound of proper bones is compounded with four 

 pounds of alkalies of various constitutions, it will make 

 a good manure ; and if acids are used as solvents, and 

 the bulk made up with good alkalies — such as wood 

 ashes, dissolved tish-shelis, chloride of lime, lime, 

 soot, &c, a very strong and lasting manure will be the 

 result. 



Bones may be either dissolved with chloride of lime 

 or sulphuric acid. When dissolved with the latter a 

 more lasting manure is no doubt the result, because 

 not so volatile ; but much depends upon the fixed 

 principle of the volatile agents. Gypsum may be 

 added with soot to fix the ammonia. Every pound of 

 bones dissolved is worth one shilling. This pound of 

 pure bone dissolved with an acid will make ten pounds 

 of compound manure fit for use, diluted with soot, 

 ashes, &c, and will be quite as strong as guano, and 

 more lasting. 



Every farmer can make his own bone manure easily 

 enough. Put the bones into a pan, and pour sulphuric 

 acid on them ; dissolve, and add soot, ashes, and 

 gypsuni; mix together, and let it remain for a few 

 weeks. 



