390 Transactioxs of the American Institute. 



question is allowable, wliether boiled or unboiled bones make the best 

 manure, and whether bone-dust is as good as superphosphate. 



Mr. Jas. A. "Whitney. — The boiling of the bones takes away the 

 gelatine, which is a nitrogenous substance and a quick acting man- 

 ure. When boiled in lye for soap, the potash is more potent as an 

 alkali than lime, and will take away phosphoric acid. Hence I would 

 say that bones boiled in water are better than those boiled in lye, and 

 those not boiled at all better than either as manure. As to the differ- 

 ence between bone-dust and superphosphate, it is mainly one of time, 

 that is to say, of solubility. The effect of adding the sulphuric acid 

 is to make the virtue of the bone effective on the first crop. Solu- 

 bilitv is increased. Bones are very slow in dissolving ; but when 

 irround fine the acids of the soil and water are much more active 

 upon them, and bone meal will show itself on the first crop. 



Mr. A. S. Fuller. — I have bought and used as much bone manure 

 as any man in Xew Jersey, and I greatly prefer the bone ground fine. 

 In truth I have never seen any benefit at all from the use of super- 

 phosphate. The last I bought I was so disgusted with that I dug a 

 big hole and buried the whole of it to get it out of the way. 



Mr. P. T. Quinn. — Mr. Chairman, our friend Fuller does make 

 such sweeping statements that I cannot let this last remark of his go 

 out without a word of comment. He says he gets no good at all 

 from superphosphate, j^ow, I have used it all mj life ; in fact, as he 

 suggests, I was raised in a superphosphate factory ; and if this club 

 will take the matter in hand and make a close investigation, I will 

 open my farm and he shall o])en his, and I will agree to show just as 

 good trees, crops, plants of all kinds, raised by the use of super- 

 phosphate, as he can show from using bone-dust. Both are good 

 manures, yet some years neither of them will show much effect. 

 But, though bone-dust has sometimes disappointed me, I would try 

 it ten years before I would make so rash a statement as he makes 

 to-day. We know the sulphuric acid can do no harm when poured 

 over crushed bone. I find it pays to use it. With me the cost of the 

 manure is a matter of no im])ortauce ; it is the outlay as compared 

 with the income from it. For instance, I have just taken $000 worth 

 of cabbage from an acre, the field was seven acres. What do I care 

 if the manure on that field cost me over $1,000. Do not I get it 

 back three times over in my returns ? The manure I use is blood 

 compost and superphosphate. With me it pays. 



Mr. IS". C. Meeker, — Last year I spent about fifteen dollars in super- 



