3°6 



The Canadian Horticulturist. 



Many of the manures are excellent preparations, just as good as pure dis- 

 solved bones, and they have the merit of being formed from materials which 

 would otherwise be allowed to go to waste. Manure manufacturers make no 

 secret of the spurious character of the manures called dissolved bones, and it has 

 become quite recognized in the trade that purity is not expected in them. No 

 doubt a great majority of buyers is deceived by the name, and they pay a higher 

 price for what is called dissolved bones than if they knew the absolute character 

 of the article. 



If genuine dissolved bones are desired they should be bought under a 

 guarantee of purity. Pure dissolved bones could not contain much more than 

 twenty per cent, soluble phosphate, and from 2*4 to 3*2 per cent, of 

 ammonia. 



When well made it is of course a good manure, but not a whit better than 

 many of its imitations. 



The dissolving of bones in sulphurous acid is a wasteful process, not to be 

 recommended, for by so doing the bones are degraded to the level of mineral 

 phosphates, which supply soluble phosphates more cheaply and more efficiently 

 than bones. If soluble phosphate is wanted for a crop, then the cheapest form 

 of superphosphate is the best thing to apply. If bones are wanted for the crop 

 or the land, then the natural bone, finely ground, is the cheapest form of appli- 

 cation. If both are wanted, both should be applied separately ; but to attempt 

 to combine these advantages by dissolving the bones is to effect a compromise 

 that is not economical. It is really in effect to spoil good bones and to make 

 poor superphosphate. 



A BARREL HEADER. 



[HIS barrel header works to 

 perfection, and any black- 

 smith will make it for 75c. 

 The part A A A is made 

 of a small wagon tire with hinges at 

 C C. D D are rods of half-inch 

 round iron riveted to the frame 3 in. 

 above the hinges on each side, but 

 left to turn freely as a hinge. B is a 

 piece of 2-in. plank nearly the size of 

 the barrel head. Place the head on 

 the fruit, then the header in position. 

 Loosen the top hoops, bear down A Fif*- r "> 



to press the head in Drive down the hoops and the head is in. 



