32 FRUIT CULTURE. 



the pound, which is an important point when 

 they constitute a considerable part of the com- 

 pound. But this labor in compounding is not 

 inviting, and those who use but small quantities 

 will prefer to buy the manufactured article, 

 weighted with the absorbent. A more avail- 

 able and probably the cheapest form of potash 

 is obtained from the German mines, as a high 

 grade muriate of potash. This may be applied 

 directly at the rate of 300 to 500 pounds per 

 acre. The phosphate beds of South Carolina 

 and other large deposits are the great source of 

 supply to the manufacturers, but the material 

 is too difficult to be reduced to an available 

 condition by the amateur. We must rely upon 

 animal bones for our phosphates, and this usually 

 in the easiest form for use and immediate action, 

 when ground to a fine meal. In avoiding the 

 labor of preparation we must submit to the un- 

 pleasant consciousness that the meal may not be 

 strictly pure, and at all events the bone has been 

 so thoroughly steamed that it has lost everything 

 that was soluble before grinding. Yet it is 

 recommended as the best form in which we can 

 apply phosphates. It may be spread by itself, 

 or mixed with the muriate of potash and the 

 two applied together. 



Professor Maynard of the Massachusetts Agri- 



