Johnso7i's Use of crushed Bones as Mamire. 319 



mates, as in Kunawur. Thus, the more closely we examine the 

 distribution of plants, and the agriculture of different countries, 

 the nearer do we observe the correspondence in practical results 

 among those that participate in the same peculiarities of climate; 

 and we cannot but admire the bounty of Nature, which affords, 

 even in what appear sterile M^astes, some article fitted for the 

 food of man, and suited to the climate, with others that are 

 adapted for commerce ; as buckwheat, borax, musk, and rhubarb, 

 from the three kingdoms of Nature, in the cold, bleak, and arid 

 plains and mountains of Tartary." (p. 317.) 



This last quotation affords a specimen of the masterly gene- 

 ralisations which Mr. Royle occasionally introduces, when treat- 

 ing of plants common to the Himalayas, and other parts of the 

 world. 



Among the plates in Part ix. are, ^Iseagnus parvifolia ; four 

 beautiful species of £uph6rbm ; Pinus Khutrow, apparently a 

 new spruce fir; Quercus dealbata, of which beautiful species 

 there are plants in the Horticultural Society's garden ; Pinus 

 longifolia and Geraldmwa, proper pines ; and ^^bies Pi7idroti\ 

 a splendid new silver fir. There are, also, the Crocus of Cash- 

 mere, Px\s nepalensis, and various other interesting plants. 



Art. II. The Use of crushed Bones as Manure. By Cuthbert 

 William Johnson, Author of " An Essay on the Employment of 

 Salt in Agriculture," &c. Pamph. 8vo, pp.16; third edition. 

 London, 1836. 



The use of bony matters as manures originated in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Sheffield, towards the conclusion of the eighteenth 

 century ; the farmers being allowed, at first, to carry away the 

 bone rubbish for nothing ; but afterwards, when it was found of 

 some value, a small charge per load was demanded by the ma- 

 nufacturers from whom the rubbish was obtained. The use of 

 bones as manure did not become general till the Doncaster 

 Agricultural Association published a circular letter of enquiry, 

 about ten years ago, which directed the attention of the public 

 to the subject. 



Such is the essence of the historical introduction given by 

 Mr. Johnson. He next examines, — 1. The composition of 

 bones; 2. The component parts of bones found in vegetable 

 substances; and 3. The effects of, and the modes of applying, 

 bones, either broken, crushed, or in the state of powder, or 

 bone dust. 



1 . " The bones of animals do not vary much in composition : 

 they all contain phosphate of lime, and carbonate of lime, with 

 a portion of cartilage or animal matter, with other minor ingre- 

 dients." (p. 5.) 



