STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 87 



Mr. Plaisted. There was a factor}' in Gardiner, formerh-. Tlie 

 easiest way is to have a boiler and steam the bone twenty-four 

 hours. The steara dissolves the bones and the^' can then be readily 

 ground or pounded. 



Mr. Keith. I suppose you could not advise that way for all of 

 us, small farmers? 



Mr. Plaisted. Yes, indeed. You would get grease enough out 

 of it to pay for 30ur labor. At the Cumberland factor}' in Booth- 

 ba}' they manufacture bone dust in just this wa}-. It is the original 

 German method. 



Mr. Sawyek. I understand 3'ou that 3'ou subject the bones to 

 the steam for twenty-four hours. What pressure do you have? 



Mr. Plaisted. We need a pressure of twenty pounds steam. 

 It requires that amount of heat to dissolve the bones. It takes out 

 all of the gelatine, and leaves nothing but the lime. 



Mr. Keith. Does it not impair the value of it to steam it? 



Mr. Plaisted. I think not. I think the phosphate of lime re- 

 mains the same. The gelatine is dissolved, and that is not lost, for 

 it comes to the surface. 



Mr. Sawyer. You would not recommend any one ordinary 

 farmer to do that for his own supply? 



Mr. Plaisted. Yes, sir ; it does not cost much. 



The President. This is more fertilizing in the orchard, by 

 spreading it on the surface. We have to experiment with different 

 kinds of fertilizers, and we would have to look sharp to see if we 

 get any benefit from it; the grass would steal it all. 



Mr. Plaisted. We spread a good fair supply of stable dressing 

 around the trees. 



Mr. Sawyer. I believe in nature's methods, muck and leaf- 

 mould. There is nothing quite so good, especiall}' in an orchard. 

 I think it is good on any soil. 



Mr. Keith. In young orchards, how long have 3'Ou, Mr. Presi- 

 dent, made it a practice to keep the soil plowed up before allowing 

 it to go to grass ? 



The President. Until within two years, we have never plowed 

 at all. 



Mr. Keith. Have 3'ou ever grown any of the earl\' fruits, such 

 as the Duchess? 



The President. Onl3' for our own use. 



Mr. Keith. Has any one here had an3' experience with them ? 



