330 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Mr.Quinn. — If we put bones in whole they will last 25 years in the earth. 

 Now the question is, whether it is not better to prepare them, so that 

 crops can appropriate them all in fire years, which can be done if the bones 

 are properly prepared. The best way for a farmer is to dissolve his bones 

 ■with sulphuric acid and the common oil of vitrei of the shops. 



TO DISSOLVE BONES. 



Use sulphuric acid diluted in nine times its bulk of water, in an old oil 

 barrel or other vessel, and put in the bones and they will dissolve, or you 

 may dissolve them in potash ley. Bones are a long time dissolving in a 

 manure heap, and they are much more valuable in a dissolved form than 

 whole or in bone dust. 



Wm. S. Carpenter. — If bones are purchased in the form of dust, the plants 

 will soon appropriate them. 



Solon Robinson. — Yes, but the question is how to prepare the bones 

 accumulating on the farm. 



Andrew S. Fuller. — Put bones in a cask of moistened wood ashes, and 

 they will dissolve. Then use ashes and bones together. No matter how 

 much ashes you use. 



R. Gr. Pardee. — I have tried the plan of dissolving bones in diluted sul- 

 phuric acid, and have not succeeded; and I have used the acid one to four 

 of water, and joint bones did not dissolve in a year. I have also used pot- 

 ash, and did not succeed. I do not believe bones can be dissolved unless 

 previously made very fine. 



Solon Robinson related a little personal experience, where he had failed 

 to dissolve bones in a strong solution of potash. 



Adrian Bergen said that he esteemed bones an excellent manure, but 

 he could not find any way to reduce them to fineness readily. He also 

 cautioned farmers about buying fine bones as sold in market. 



Wm. S. Carpenter said that he did not believe that whole bones of tha 

 farm could not be used to advantage, except in the grape border. 



Mr. Wheeler related something about a grape-vine planted over a spot 

 where an ox was buried, that grew mightily. 



John Gr. Bergen. — I throw my bones in a brush heap and burn them, 

 and distribute the ashes. 



Mr. Lawton. — A single bone may afford all that is needed by a grape- 

 vine. I would put bones near all grape-vines. 



Dr. Humphrey. — Bones to be of value, must comminuted. A vine may 

 get nourishment from a whole bone, but plants generally cannot, and will 

 never be benefited by whole bones, until they decay. 



Mr. Pardee. — I believe bones are valuable for all plants, if made fine. 

 If to be dissolved in acid or potash, first break them with a sledge, as 

 fine as possible — that is the only sure way. 



Solon Robinson suggested that bones might be burned to more advan- 

 tage in the stove; that they are worth as much per ton for fuel as coal. 



Dr. Trimble. — If you can't get your bones ground pound them all, but 

 don't burn them — that destroys part of their value. 



