t 546 ] 



portance as though the available phophates in Indian soils 

 are probably not deficient and though there is no immediate 

 possibility of Indian soils getting barren for want of phos- 

 phates, yet the total amount of phosphates in Indian soils 

 is relatively so small and the denudation of phosphates by the 

 export of bones, grains and oil-seeds, is so persistent, that 

 the question of supplying phosphates to soils by way of 

 fertilizers must sooner or later assume the most serious 

 importance. 



887. The most readily available source of soil fertiliz- 

 ation so far as phosphates are concerned, is bone. The effect 

 of bones used in large pieces is slow, but they should be 

 applied in this state only, when fruit trees are planted. It is 

 curious Nepalese have the custom of putting a number of 

 bones in each pit made for planting fruit trees and they say 

 this makes the fruits sweeter for all times. It is a right notion 

 and if this custom of stowing away bones under fruit-trees 

 had been widely followed bones would not have lain neglected 

 and been carried away from India to other countries for pur- 

 poses of manure. 



888. Of the phosphates in bones, 2 per cent, occurs as 

 Mg 2 P 2 O 7 and the remainder as Ca 3 P 2 O 8 . Bones are steamed 

 or boiled for making glue and gelatine. The greater part 

 of the organic matter is removed in this process. Steamed 

 and boiled bones though richer in phosphates contain less N ; 

 but on the whole, they are preferred for manure. Burnt bone 

 or animal-charcoal is used in sugar-refineries. The refuse 

 animal-charcoal of sugar refineries is a superior general 

 manure. Bone-dust, bone-shavings and bone and ivory 

 turnings are of equal manurial^value. Five to six maunds of 

 finely powdered bones per acre is a good fertilizer for grass 

 lands and cereal crops, larger quantities being used for sugar- 

 cane and root-crops. 



889. Bones, in country places, where crushing mills are 

 not available, may be reduced to powder by means of caustic 



