14 FARM-GARDENING AND SEED-GROWING. 



But so far as fertilizing properties go, I am not sure but 

 pure fine bone is much cheaper than coarse manure. In 

 sections whereprime stable-manure can not be obtained, I 

 would advise liberal applications of bone in connection 

 with green crops plowed under ; the former as a fertilizer, 

 and the latter to keep the soil in good working condition. 

 Ground bone is now made of various grades, generally 

 designated as bone-dust, bone-meal, and bone-flour. The 

 former is the best for permanent crops, such as asparagus, 

 rhubarb, etc., and for seeding down to grass for renewing 

 the land ; the second is suited to crops sown in the fall, 

 such as spinach, etc., but in either case, unless the ground 

 is sufficiently rich to give the plants a start, bone-flour or 

 guano must be used, in connection with the bone dust or 

 meal. Bone-flour is very fine, and acts quickly, nearly as 

 much so as guano, and hence is preferable for crops which 

 mature the same season they are sown or planted. There 

 is much adulterated bone sold at the present day, and 

 those who have used this kind have become discouraged, 

 and say that bone is of no value. 



There are, however, some conscientious men engaged in 

 this business, and among them are Lister Brothers, of 

 Newark, N. J. It may seem out of place here to insert 

 anything that may seem like an advertisement, but as I 

 always use the bone ground by the above firm, and from 

 a long and intimate acquaintance with them, and frequent 

 visits to their factory while I resided near it, I can recom- 

 mend their productions as pure and reliable, and I deem 

 it just to the patrons of this work to inform them where 

 they can obtain a pure article in this line. There is one 

 thing about bone which many do not seem to compre- 

 hend. Let it be never so fine it does not impart all its 

 fertilizing properties at once, hence liberal applications 

 must be made, and the most soluble parts will act on the 

 present crop, while the balance will benefit the future 

 ones. 



