268 Efficacy of Bones and of Poittevins Manure. 



and the cost less than that produced by means of bones. T saw 

 the fields both at Rigsby and Bloxholm soon after the seed was 

 sown, and the luxuriant appearance of the plant at the com- 

 mencement of its growth, where Poittevin's manure was used, 

 was very manifest; this I consider of great consequence^ as it 

 insures the tender plant against the fly, which is frequently so 

 injurious to the turnip-crop. Under these circumstances I think 

 that the Society may encourage the use of the disinfected manure, 

 and I have no doubt that the Messrs. Poittevin might command 

 a more extensive sale were they satisfied ^yith a lower price, and 

 were they to establish depots of their manure in agricultural 

 districts. 



Sir, I have the honour to be 



Your obedient humble servant, 



R. A. Christopher. 



Bloxham Hall, Sleoford, 

 April 2, 1841. 



To R. A. Christopher, Esq., M.P. 



Sir, — I have ascertained from your tenants the result of the different 

 experiments in the use of Poittevin's disinfected manure, in comparison 

 with bone-manure of equal value, upon the same soil and under the 

 same care and treatment. 



Mr. James Mason, of Rigsby, near Alforcl, selected two acres of land 

 in the middle of a field prepared for turnips, consisting of a strong soil 

 with a substratum of chalk. Upon one acre he drilled turnip-seed, 

 with 24 bushels of Poittevin's manure, and upon the other acre adjoin- 

 ing he apphed 16 bushels of bones, reduced to the size of nuts ; the cost 

 per acre, including carriage of the bones, was 21. ^ and of the Poittevin's 

 manure, 21. ^s. 6fi., including freight from London to Louth. 



In the early growth of the turnip-plants there appeared a decided ad- 

 vantage in favour of Poittevin's manure ; the plants grew faster, and had 

 a more thriving appearance, than Avith the bone-manure, and continued 

 so up to their maturity ; but on weighing one-tenth part of an acre of 

 each as fairly selected as could be, the following result appeared : — 



Tons, Cwt. 



Of turnips topped and trimmed from bone-manure 10 1 per acre. 

 Of ditto ditto from Poittevin's manure 9 2 ,, 



Hence it appears that bones suited best this description of soil. 



Mr. Emperingham, of Salmonby, near Horncastle, tried the experi- 

 ment in precisely the same manner and proportions as Mr. Mason, 

 selecting two acres of land in the middle of a field of sandy soil, with 

 substratum of sandy rock : the result in this case differed from the last, 

 as the acre of land drilled with Poittevin's manure assumed the same 

 luxuriant appearance in the early growth, of the turnips, and retained the 

 advantage over the bones until the end ; the produce being as follows : — 



Tuns. Cut. 



Of turnips topped and trimmed from 16 bushels of bones 13 14 per acre. 



Of ditto ditto from 24 bushels of Poittevins manure 15 10 „ 



