450 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



good as the Flemish solution, or the solution from the aggregate 

 heap of the farm. It is well to bear in mind that by this method 

 all the manure becomes soluble, and never need be taken out in 

 a solid state, but may thus be used in its greatest state of di- 

 vision, in the form in which it can be soonest transformed into 

 crops. 



It is sometimes said that certain substances are " very lasting 

 manures." I wish one could be found that was not, so that all 

 that it Avas capable of yielding could be used in the current crop. 

 The true explanation is, that parts of manures are used up, and 

 other parts are valueless without the presence of the portion 

 parted with. If we could carry that part back to market and 

 get our money for it, and save the interest, it would certainly be 

 preferable. Suppose that a farmer puts inch bones on his land, 

 at the rate of 10,000 bush, to the acre, he could only get a certain 

 amount of effect, which would not differ materially between 

 10,000 and 1,000 bushels. On the other hand, suppose that he 

 put on two bushels of bones, rendered soluble by sulphuric acid, 

 the effect will be greater than that caused by any quantity of 

 coarse bones, although costing so much less. Manuring with a 

 lasting manure is putting your money out at compound interest, 

 and paying the interest yourself, which is bad financiering. 

 You cannot apply any amount of inch bones which will produce 

 as much effect for the current year as the interest of their cost 

 would pay for, if the money were applied in putting on soluble 

 phosphates. The same rule applies to all manures. That is the 

 best which is in the best condition for the use of plants. And 

 when you get a fluid manure made in the way I have named, to 

 which you have added all that is required to assist its action, 

 potash for the unyielding bones and organic matter, soluble alka- 

 lies, that can be diffused throughout to assist in the decomposi- 

 tion, or if there should happen to be an excess of potash, a little 

 sulphuric acid to prevent the escape of the volatile gases, you 

 have all that your manure is capable of giving, in such a state 

 that it can be availed of by the plant between that night and 

 the next morning, to the extent that it may meet with their 

 roots ; and if you choose, it can be availed of in the current 

 twenty-four hours next ensuing. 



Judge French told us, in this room, of what he saw at Mr. 

 Mechi's, who, when he cut off a grain crop to feed his cattle, im- 

 mediately showered the land with liquid manure from his leader, 



