652 TjiANSACTTONS OF THE AMERICAN InSTITTTTE. 



"pea vine" clover. For plowino; under it is probably not so good 

 as the large red clover, as the Alsike does not grow so large as the 

 common red. 



HoME-MaDE SuPERPnOSPHATE. 



Mr. John Crawford, Harlem, Cook county, 111., writes that, having 

 rented a small farm in the neighborhood of Chicago, and being 

 desirous of using the cheapest and most active fertilizers on garden 

 stuff, he is desirous of making superphosphate from a number of 

 bones in his possession. He has put four pounds of whole bones in 

 a jar, and added two pounds of sulphuric acid for a trial, more than 

 three weeks since, and at the time of writing there was no sign of 

 any change in the condition of the bones. " Xow what I want to 

 know," he says, " is, is this the right way, and how long before the 

 superphosphate can be made ready for use ? Don't put me off, but 

 give me an answer as soon as possible." 



The President. — Here is an inquiry with an entreaty ; I hope 

 some one will tell him how to turn his bones into superphosphate. 

 [Laughter.] A few weeks ago a man communicated his manner of 

 crushing bones, in a cheap way. He arranged a large spring pole, 

 like an old-fashioned " baby-jumper," suspended a large stone at the 

 end, and by springing it up and down he was able to crush any large 

 bone, by the expenditure of very little force. 



Mr. T. C. Peters. — I think the man makes a great mistake in 

 attempting to grind bones, or to make his own superphosphate. He 

 had better sell his bones for what they will bring, and purchase good 

 superphosphate. There are brands of this fertilizer which are really 

 reliable. Baugli's ammoniated superphosphate is one of the best 

 commercial manures in the market. I have implicit confidence in 

 certain men who make this manure. 



Mr. W: S. Carpenter. — It is very difficult to get a mill strong 

 enough to grind bones. Xo bark mill will crush tliem. 



Mr. H. T. Williams. — I have in my pocket a certificate -in which 

 Baugli Brothers, of Philadelphia, told me that if a farmer could buy 

 his own bones at thirty dollars per ton, and apply his sulphuric acid 

 mixed with water, in the proportion of half and half, in an earthen 

 hole, at the end of two days he could have as fine a superphosphate 

 as he could wish for. Mr. J. C. Thompson, of Thompsonville, 

 adopted that very plan, and found no difliculty at all in manufactur- 

 ing superphosphate for his own use. 



