HORN SHAVINGS AND ANIMAL DUST. 255 



commercial value among our animal refuse substances ; about 

 15 cents per pound of its nitrogen, provided it is in a good 

 mechanical condition. One ton of the above sample is worth 

 from $46 to $48. A thorough composting with barn-yard 

 manure renders its nitrogen, under ordinary circumstances, 

 best available. 



Horn shavings, and the coarser refuse material of the same 

 kind, are best subjected for a few bours to the action of 

 steam of from three to four pounds of pressure, and subse- 

 quently dried and ground. Thus treated, they are easily 

 ground, and act more rapidly on the vegetation. 



Animal Dust. 

 I.— Brighton Animal Dust. 



Sample No. I. has been secured at the storehouse of Messrs. 

 Bowker & Co., and No. II. at the store of Messrs. Hovey & 

 Co., both in Boston. The mechanical condition of both 

 articles was very good. Assuming them of the same state of 

 moisture, their composition is as closely alike as can be 

 expected under the circumstances, which are unavoidably 

 connected with the management of a branch of business like 

 the manufacture of fertilizers at the Brighton Abattoir. No. 

 I. is too moist to keep well ; the percentage of moisture in 

 No. II. is more favorable for keeping without moulding, 

 whilst in their original package. The articles sold per ton of 

 2,000 pounds at $40. Allowing for the phosphoric acid 

 present the same price per pound as in the case of bones, 

 namely, six cents, we find the cost of the nitrogen per pound 



