CHAPTER XI. 



MINERAL MANURES BONES AND WHAT THEY TAUGHT US 



SULPHURIC ACID AND NITRATE OP SODA BONE ASH 



ANIMAL CHARCOAL, OR BONE BLACK BONE MEAL 



SULPHATE OF AMMONIA ITS GREAT POWER OF DECOM- 

 POSING OTHER MANURES IIOW TO DETECT IMPURE NITRATE 



OF SODA NITRATE OF POTASH, OR S \LTPETRE PHOS- 

 PHATE OF LIME RIVER PHOSPHATES CANADIAN PHOS- 

 PHATE A RIDICULOUS EXTORTION. 



We have now to undertake the examination of those mineral 

 fertilizers which come next in order, and which form the staples 

 of that great and advancing industry, chemical manure manufac- 

 ture. 



For the sake of comprehensiveness and brevity, we propose to 

 divide our subject in the following order : 



FIRST. A hasty glance at the principal sources and the agricul- 

 tural value of phosphatic and other raw materials of a min- 

 eral nature, with analytical tables showing their composition. 



SECOND. A description of the principal sources of sulphur pyrites, 

 and of sulphuric acid and superphosphate manufacture, 

 with brief notes on the mixing of various compound manures. 



As we have already roughly described, in a preceding chapter, 

 how mineral phosphates are found in nature, we need merely refer 

 our readers to the particulars there given, and at once attack the 

 practical question before us. 



BONES are a very old and very favorite manure, and it is to their 

 employment and to the researches ensuing upon their marked effect 

 that we owe our discoveries relating to the part played by phos- 

 phoric acid in the soil. 



