168 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



and in all grains cultivated for food by man. The ashes of plants are rich 

 in it, and every particle of bone is well calculated to have a beneficial 

 effect towards the support of the growing plant. They are more efficacious 

 ■when reduced to powder, than when coarsely broken, and still better when 

 placed in a heap, and allowed to ferment, as they are then well fitted to act 

 at once on the growing plant. Still if so prepared, then usefulness on the 

 succeeding crop is diminished. This earth exists more or less on all soils, aa 

 animals die everywhere over the globe, and their bones become covered and 

 remain in readiness to form the necessary supplies. The reason the earth 

 is so long able to retain them, is, that they are insoluble in water, or 

 the solution of potash and soda. They are slightly soluble in organic acid, 

 and carbonic acid, through the medium of which the phosphate probably 

 enters the roots of plants. 



Bones dissolved in dilute sulphuric acid and mixed with gypsum, largely 

 diluted with water, form an admirable liquid manure for any and all 

 plants, but most especially for cereals and grass. 



Native phosphate of lime, or apatite, exists in many parts of the world 

 abroad, as well as in this country, and generally in veins in the granitic 

 and slate rocks. There is a vein in New Jersey, and another on the shores 

 of Lake Champlain. When bones became dearer than they now arc it may 

 be used as a fertilizer. 



Lime. — This substance has never been found in a perfectly pure state, 

 but in combination with acids, principally carbonic acid. In this state it 

 constitutes many varieties of limestone, chalk, marl, and marble. When 

 in combination with sulphuric acid it forms gypsum, and with phosphoric 

 acid, becomes a chief ingredient in bone. Quick-lime, whether in powder 

 or dissolved in water, rapidly decomposes every vegetable substance, and 

 is therefore injurious to vegetation, but combined with carbonic acid is an 

 inoredient useful to all soils. In agriculture it is used with the view of 

 rendering substances in the soil, suited to the growth of plants, and like- 

 wise for counteracting the evil effects of noxious matters, either rendering 

 them harmless or useful. 



Lime acts with great efficacy upon land previously manured, and will 

 continue to produce crops so long as there is any nutritive matter in the 

 Boil, after which its use will deteriorate the land and diminish its value. 

 Inert matters should always be in the land when lime is applied. For 

 breaking up fresh, coarse land it is admirable, and it is strikingly advan- 

 tageous when you desire to correct the defects of a subsoil. Lime rapidly 

 returns to its original state by first absorbing water, when it becomes a 

 hydrate, and then by absorbing carbonic acid gas, and is then admirable 

 for the calcareous matter it contains. It may, therefore, justly be classed 

 among those manures which promote the permanent fertility of the soil, 

 for unless it is washed out by rain water, or moisture in the atmosphere, 

 it cannot be removed from the soil except as the food of plants. In muck 

 lands no manure can compare with it, either for rapid action or powerful 

 effect, provided drainage has been attended to. The quantity applied to 



