118 BONES. 



position is at once absorbed ; but as the quan- 

 tity so applied is very small, the effects of a 

 dressing of these fish seldom lasts beyond a 

 year. 



The price of oils, even the commonest that 

 are to be had and during the cheapest years, 

 (varying from 2s to 2^ 6d per gallon) is such 

 as to be a serious obstacle in the way of their 

 use as a manure, the more so as other sub- 

 stances may be made available for the same 

 purpose at a less cost. 



Blubber, when it is to be had, is much lower 

 in price than either of the oils; but then its 

 real value is about in the same proportion, as a 

 great part of the blubber consists of earthy 

 matter, which is comparatively useless. Still, 

 compared with the cost of bones, the difference 

 is in favour of the mixture of oil and ashes ; 

 and a time may arrive when a sufficient sup- 

 ply of bones will be unattainable ; and, indeed, 

 even now, their cost is a serious obstacle to 

 their use : and it is, therefore, desirable in every 

 way to be enabled to point out a substitute for 

 their use. 



Bones. — The remarks made when speaking 

 of the phosphate of lime, (page 105) will ex- 

 plain the action of bones on vegetation. Their 

 beneficial effects are attributed entirely to the 

 presence of that substance, as whether new or 

 old bones are made use of, the effects produced 

 are the same. 



It is a curious fact, and one which is cha- 

 racteristic of the energy with which all sources 

 of commerce are pursued in this country, that 

 the wild cattle existing in the extensive plains 



