^80 GRAVES WOOLLEN RAGS, ETC. 



of wheat. I have said nothing here upon the importance of tn« 

 earthy matter of bones, particularly of the calcaieons phosphate 

 which they contain, but which is nevertheless acknowledged to be 

 of great importance. 



The refuse from the glue -maker'* s, washed and pressed, contains 

 all the animal matters which have resisted the action of boiling 

 water, such as portions of tendinous and skinny substance, hair, 

 pieces of bone, of horn, and of flesh, a calcareous soap, and earthy 

 matters. This mixture putrefies rapidly ; but dried, it may be pre- 

 served for a great length of time. Analyzed dry, it yields about 4 

 per cent, of azote. From 4 to 5 cwt. per acre are employed, but it 

 is necessary to manure every year. 



The refuse of the tallow-melter, graves, as it is called, a residue 

 consisting in great part of the membranes which have enveloped 

 the fat of our domestic animals, mixed with a little blood, some 

 flesh, and bony matter, and grease, has hitherto been em^-Zoyed 

 almost exclusively as food for dogs. Of late, however, graves have 

 been used as manure, and analysis shows that this substance must 

 be estimated as equal to about 3|, farm-dung being fixed at 1. 

 Used in this proportion, graves produce a marked eflfect. The 

 action of graves, which may be thrown on in fragments and dry, or 

 after having been steeped in hot water, and reduced to the state 

 of a pulp, will continue for three or four years. 



Shreds o^ woollen rags form a good manure for vines and olive- 

 trees especially, though they are also available in husbandry of 

 every description. The large proportion of azote, and the small 

 quantity of water contained in woollen rags, constitute them not only 

 one of the richest manures, but also one of those that is most easily 

 transported ; 25 cwts. per acre of woollen rags, the cost of which, in 

 J' ranee, may be about £3, have been found sufficient as manure for 

 three years. The slowness with which wool decomposes, indeed, 

 causes its action to be continued during six or eight years. Tvventy- 

 nve cwt. of woollen rags may be held equivalent to upwards of 40 

 tons of farm-dung, which, at the price of 5^ lOd. per ton, would cost 

 jCl2 165. At the end of three years, M. Delonchamps, an excellent 

 practical farmer, gives his land a dressing of farm-dung for three 

 years more, when he returns to the wool. Before spreading rags 

 they must be cut into pieces, which is effected either by a machine, 

 or by a piece of scythe-blade fixed in a block of wood. In England, 

 the quantity of woollen rags allowed to the acre is generally about 

 13 cwt. Sinclair says that they are best suited for dry and sandy or 

 chalky soils, and this because they attract moisture. I have not 

 found the fact to be so. In the very dry soil of a vineyard manured 

 with this article, 1 have found the pieces to decompose with extreme 

 slowness, and, up to this time, the eflfect upon the vines has been 

 scarcely perceptible. 



The raspings and shavings of horn form a manure of great power, 

 that seems applicable to ,4very variety of soil. In England, about 

 (0 bushels per acre are usually allowed. 



Tendons J trimmings of hides, hair, feathers, <5fC., are manures very 



