FERTILIZERS. 66 



A pit lined with blue flag-stones, or with hard bricks 

 closely laid in common lime mortar (not cement), would 

 be more suitable for large quantities. After the bones are 

 disintegrated, the sloppy mass could be dried, and its excess 

 of sulphuric acid utilized by admixture of ground South 

 Carolina phosphate rock or other similar material, which 

 would thereby be converted into superphosphate." 



The Russian method is as follows : " To 4,000 pounds of 

 whole bones, take 4,000 pounds (about 90 bushels) un- 

 leached hard-wood ashes, 600 pounds of fresh-burned lime, 

 and 4,500 pounds (562 gallons) of water. First slack the 

 lime to a powder (using part of the 4,500 pounds of water 

 for this purpose), mix it with the ashes, and, placing a 

 layer of bones in a suitable receptacle, a pit in the 

 ground, lined with boards, slab, or brick, cover them with 

 the mixture ; lay down more bones, and cover, and repeat 

 this until half the bones, 2,000 pounds, are inter-stratified 

 into the ashes and lime ; then pour on 3,600 (450 gallons) 

 pounds of water, distributing it well, and let stand. From 

 time to time add water, to keep the mass moist. As soon 

 as the bones have softened so they can be crushed between 

 the fingers to a soft, soap-like mass, take the other 2,000 

 pounds of bone, and stratify them in another pit, with the 

 contents of the first. When the whole is soft, shovel out 

 to dry ; and finally mix with dry muck or loam, enough to 

 make it handle well." 



Professor Johnson's method is as follows : " Arrange a 

 circular layer of bones, closely laid, on a bed, a foot thick, 

 of good loam, under shelter ; wet them from a watering- 

 pot, and sprinkle them over with wood ashes, enough to 

 fill all the chinks ; then give a coat of gypsum ; put upon 

 that a few inches of muck or loam, adding, all along, as 

 much water as will well moisten the earth and ashes, but 

 not more than the mass can readily absorb ; then place 



