PREPARING AND HANDLING FERTILIZERS. 163 



MANURE FROM MARL AND SHELLS. 



Marl is quite abundant in some localities, and in others 

 oyster shells can be had for the hauling. These may be 

 profitably burned into lime for use as a fertilizer. In re- 

 gard to this use of lime, it should be remembered that the 



Fig. 192. PIT FOB BTJRNING MARL. 



larger part of the ash of agricultural plants consists of 

 lime, and that it is thus an indispensable plant food. It 

 is rarely used without benefit, but is most useful when 

 applied in a caustic state, or when it is freshly burned. 

 Enquiries are often made about burning m^rl and shells. 

 An easy way of doing this is in piles, commonly called 

 "pits," made as shown in figure 192. A level spot is 

 chosen, and a quantity of small wood is spread over it, 

 either in a square, or better, in a circle. Two or three 

 double rows of stones, covered with other flat stones, are 

 laid as at a, a, to form flues. A layer of shells or marl 

 is thrown upon the fuel, and other alternate layers are 

 added, until a conical heap is made. Chimneys of small 

 wood or chips are made over the flues as the heap is 

 built, and carried to the top. 



MAKING FERTILIZER FROM BONES. 



It is well enough known that bone, when ground fine, 

 makes one of the best and cheapest manures, especially 

 on lands long in use. The needs of farmers with abund- 

 ant capital are well enough met in the commercial fcrtil- 



