374 EFFECT OF BONES. 



As an absorbent and retainer of the valuable properties 

 of manure, peat mud and loam will also be found of 

 essential service. If used on a high and dry soil, the 

 effect of plaster will not be very apparent the first sea- 

 son, iinless there are frequent rains. 



There is an impression among many that plaster does 

 not produce so good results in the immediate vicinity 

 of the sea-shore. If this is so, it does not arise, prob- 

 ably, from the proximity to the sea, but from other 

 causes. Many of our lands do not need the application 

 of plaster; but I have seen it used, to the best advan- 

 tage, within two miles of the sea. If there were any- 

 thing in the sea air to prevent plaster from performing 

 its usual functions as an absorbent, the effect would be 

 perceived to a far greater distance inland. If any fail- 

 ures have occurred in its use in the vicinity of the sea, 

 they were probably owing to the soil rather than to the 

 atmosphere. There is one other remark in this connec- 

 tion. When plaster has been applied without immediate 

 effect, we s-hould not at once conclude that it is useless 

 on the particular soil to which it is applied. The first 

 season may be dry, and ill-adapted to its decomposition, 

 In such cases good results have ordinarily followed the 

 second year. 



The great utility of bones as a manure arises from 

 the large amount of phosphates which they contain. 

 On all pastures which have been long fed the phos- 

 phate of lime is exhausted. It is constantly taken from 

 the earth in the grass, to form the bone, the muscle, and 

 the milk of animals. Of the earthy matter in bones, 

 nearly five-sixths consist of phosphate of lime and mag- 

 nesia. Nitrogen is also abundant, and, of course, am- 

 monia, for nitrogen is an element of ammonia. A few 

 bushels of bone-dust will often quite restore old, "worn- 

 out " pastures. Indeed, almost every part of which 



